By Karen Bong
KUCHING, March 20: The Kuching South City Council (MBKS) will hold a comprehensive mass anti-rabies vaccination campaign on April 12 at its Community Hall, offering subsidised neutering for the first 100 MBKS-licensed and vaccinated female dogs.
This initiative is the second of five campaigns scheduled for this year, aimed at eradicating rabies in Sarawak and promoting responsible pet ownership. The campaign will also offer pet licensing and microchipping services.
The event is organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Sarawak, the Sarawak Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA), the Sarawak Veterinary Association (SVA), the Kuching Division Health Office, and the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas).
MBKS Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng announced that the council will subsidise RM150 per dog for the neutering of up to 100 female dogs.
“This initiative aims to raise awareness on responsible pet ownership while also helping to control the stray population,” he said during a press conference at MBKS headquarters today.
Pet owners should note that any remaining costs charged by veterinary clinics will be borne by them.
Wee highlighted the success of the first campaign held on Feb 15, which saw strong community participation, with 294 dogs vaccinated, 196 dog licenses issued, 74 microchips implanted, and 12 female dogs registered for subsidised neutering.
“Rabies is a deadly disease that affects both animals and humans, but it is entirely preventable with timely vaccinations,” he stressed.
SSPCA president Datin Dona Drury-Wee emphasised that neutering remains the most effective solution for managing the stray population, particularly in preventing the abandonment of puppies and kittens.
“The only way to reduce the number of strays roaming the streets is through population control, and that starts with neutering. Most abandoned animals come from owners who do not want to deal with unwanted litters,” she said.
Additionally, SSPCA is finalising details for a rabies vaccination programme for cats, sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim, and hopes to include it in the April 12 campaign. Discussions are also underway on a new neutering initiative for dogs and cats in collaboration with private veterinary clinics.
This mass vaccination drive seeks to make rabies vaccinations easily accessible to pet owners, ensuring their pets are protected against the virus.
Wee reiterated the importance of vaccinating pets to prevent rabies from becoming an uncontrollable threat in Sarawak.
“By vaccinating our pets, we not only safeguard them but also protect the wider community by preventing the spread of this fatal disease. This campaign is a proactive measure to ensure the health and safety of both pets and the public,” he concluded.
The remaining campaigns this year are scheduled on July 5 at Song Swee Guan Recreation Park in Tabuan Jaya, Sept 20 in conjunction with World Rabies Day at MBKS’ Community Hall and Oct 4 at Sarawak Basketball Association court in Taman Seng Goon. — DayakDaily
