KUCHING: There is no longer any excuse for pet owners to neglect vaccination in the effort to check the spread of rabies in the city.
Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor, Datuk Wee Hong Seng, said that pet owners play a crucial role in ensuring not only the safety of their pets, but also that of their families and the wider community.
“Rabies is entirely preventable. Fulfil your responsibility as a pet owner.
“With each small action – vaccination, licensing, neutering – we can save lives,” he said at the Anti-Rabies Vaccination and Dog Neutering Programme held at the MBKS Community Hall today.
MBKS is now conducting vaccination programmes five times a year – a strategic move to ensure no owner misses out on this crucial annual protection.
“Vaccination isn’t a one-off jab for life. We’re giving owners flexibility to choose a convenient time within the year.
“What matters is that their pets are vaccinated annually,” he explained.
The upcoming ‘Pet Walk’ programme is also set to serve as a public education platform.
“Through this event, we hope the public will feel closer to animals, not shy away from them. Animals can and should be loved,” added Wee.
“If your pet is vaccinated, you need not worry about your family’s safety.
“And if you don’t want the number of animals at home to keep increasing, neuter them. That too is a form of responsibility.”
At the same time, the Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) continues to play an active role in ensuring pets in Kuching receive proper protection.
Its president, Dona Drury Wee, stated that a strategic partnership with international vaccine supplier, Boehringer Ingelheim, now allows rabies vaccines to be offered free of charge for cats.
With support from Yayasan Hasanah, the SSPCA is also running a neutering campaign for female cats and dogs, at affordable registration fees – RM20 for cats and RM70 for dogs.
