The economic downturn is causing more pet owners in the Klang Valley to give up their pets.
By Jennifer Gomez, New Straits Times 3 February 2009
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: The economic downturn is causing more pet owners in the Klang Valley to give up their pets.
This is similar to a current trend in the United States, where a report last week said that the number of pets being dropped off at animal shelters has spiked but the number of animals being adopted has decreased.
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Selangor (SPCA) assistant manager Jacinta Johnson said that last year, the total number of animals surrendered was 7,734, compared with 5,991 in 2007.
“This drastic increase can be attributed to the economic downturn, the previous fuel price hikes, more people moving into apartments and, of course, more irresponsible owners,” Johnson said.
Since last year, the SPCA has been steadily getting each month about 650 pets which are given up by owners, compared with 500 in 2007.
More homeless animals are expected as the year rolls on.
“Just before Chinese New Year, Hari Raya and the end-of-year holidays, our surrender rates shot up.
“Irresponsible owners have always been dumping animals here. Sadly, we are forced to euthanise many of these animals as we do not have the space or resources to keep all of them.”
Still, despite the doom and gloom in the economy, Johnson hoped that people would come forward and adopt these animals.
“We hope to increase our adoptions, despite an unpredictable economy.
“We need to find good, permanent homes for these animals with people who will provide for them even when times get bad, just like another member of the family.”
She said SPCA’s neutering campaigns have been stepped up to prevent pets and strays from breeding unnecessarily.
However, Johor-based Noah’s Ark Natural Animal Sanctuary president Raymond Wee felt that pet owners were unlikely to want to give up their furry friends in an economic downturn, saying that the centre had not experienced any increase in the number of pets over the last few months.
“If they do, then they are just using it (the economic downturn) as an excuse. How much food can a dog eat?”
He said the number of animals at their four-hectare sanctuary in Pekan Nanas had not changed from a year ago -- 750 dogs, more than 500 cats and six horses.
“If anything, we know of expatriates who give up their pets when they leave the country, but this hasn’t happened in a while.”
Wee said in any case, people were always urged to bring stray pets in to be neutered to control their population.
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Pets face tough times, too
The economic downturn is causing more pet owners in the Klang Valley to give up their pets.
By Jennifer Gomez, New Straits Times
3 February 2009
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: The economic downturn is causing more pet owners in the Klang Valley to give up their pets.
This is similar to a current trend in the United States, where a report last week said that the number of pets being dropped off at animal shelters has spiked but the number of animals being adopted has decreased.
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Selangor (SPCA) assistant manager Jacinta Johnson said that last year, the total number of animals surrendered was 7,734, compared with 5,991 in 2007.
“This drastic increase can be attributed to the economic downturn, the previous fuel price hikes, more people moving into apartments and, of course, more irresponsible owners,” Johnson said.
Since last year, the SPCA has been steadily getting each month about 650 pets which are given up by owners, compared with 500 in 2007.
More homeless animals are expected as the year rolls on.
“Just before Chinese New Year, Hari Raya and the end-of-year holidays, our surrender rates shot up.
“Irresponsible owners have always been dumping animals here. Sadly, we are forced to euthanise many of these animals as we do not have the space or resources to keep all of them.”
Still, despite the doom and gloom in the economy, Johnson hoped that people would come forward and adopt these animals.
“We hope to increase our adoptions, despite an unpredictable economy.
“We need to find good, permanent homes for these animals with people who will provide for them even when times get bad, just like another member of the family.”
She said SPCA’s neutering campaigns have been stepped up to prevent pets and strays from breeding unnecessarily.
However, Johor-based Noah’s Ark Natural Animal Sanctuary president Raymond Wee felt that pet owners were unlikely to want to give up their furry friends in an economic downturn, saying that the centre had not experienced any increase in the number of pets over the last few months.
“If they do, then they are just using it (the economic downturn) as an excuse. How much food can a dog eat?”
He said the number of animals at their four-hectare sanctuary in Pekan Nanas had not changed from a year ago -- 750 dogs, more than 500 cats and six horses.
“If anything, we know of expatriates who give up their pets when they leave the country, but this hasn’t happened in a while.”
Wee said in any case, people were always urged to bring stray pets in to be neutered to control their population.
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