The state had first announced the allocation last month and made it official through today’s event. Activities under the fixed fund will carry on until such time when the funds are exhausted.
Aside from offsetting the costs of neutering or spaying adult cats and dogs, PAWS also hopes to educate pet owners of the need to reduce or eliminate altogether the birth of unwanted pups and kittens.
“The subsidy fund by the Selangor government is an attempt to stop the senseless culling of unwanted cats and dogs that roam our streets as strays.
“If owners neuter their pets, unwanted pregnancies are completely preventable, and with that, the tendency to dump kittens or pups by the roadside or surrender them to animal shelters will also reduce,” PAWS shelter manager Edward Lim said.
He mentioned that this project will address the issue of stray dogs and cats in Selangor only.
“We hope to see a significant drop in the number of stray dogs and cats in the state once this programme takes effect,” he said.
According to Edward, this is the first time any state government in the country is providing the funds to a non-governmental organisation (NGO) for such a programme.
He said the funds will be able to partially cover the cost of neutering and spaying of over 1,500 cats and dogs.
DAP’s state exco member Ean Yong Hian Wah said that this is a pilot project and that the state wanted to provide a more effective solution, other than capturing the stray dogs and cats.
“Since it is a pilot project, we will monitor and see if the feedback from the public is positive or not.
“If the feedback is positive, then we will definitely carry this project forward and continue in the future,” Ean Yong said.
The Selangor Neutering Subsidy is available to pet owners born in Selangor, and meant for the neutering or spaying of cats and dogs in registered veterinary clinics located in Selangor.
“The subsidy is available up to a maximum of RM60 per cat and RM100 per dog, only for the procedure of neutering or spaying. All other costs and expenses must be borne by the individual separately,” Lim said, adding the pet owners must apply for the subsidy in person.
“Each person is entitled to apply for the subsidy up to a maximum of five animals per week provided they submit one application form per animal and one veterinarian receipt per animal.”
Individuals must ensure the application form and all required attachments are received by PAWS within 14 days of the date on the receipt from the veterinarian.
Lim said this should be a continuous effort and encouraged other states to follow suit. He also dismissed the idea that it was cruel to neuter animals.
In September 2015, the Penang government came under fire from animal care groups after it ordered a mass culling of stray dogs to address the issue of suspected rabies arising from a case that had occurred in neighbouring Kedah state.
By Oct 5, Penang had killed over 1,711 animals. Other states had also followed suit, with 1,693 animals killed in Kedah and 299 in Perlis.
On Oct 9, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng revoked the order and called for an immediate end to the culling exercise.
Lim said PAWS was indebted to certain individuals who worked tirelessly to get the Selangor Neutering Subsidy campaign off the ground.
He especially thanked Wani Muthiah of Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better, Tracy of Second Chance, Winnie Lau of Cherish Life Home and Myza of Furry Friends Farm.
“These four helped to lobby for that subsidy.
“Dr Chan Kar Yein, the founder of AnimalCare, also allowed us to use her model of the neutering subsidy. She started this subsidy project some eight years ago and it is still running.”
He also had special thanks for Sean Oon of MBPJ, who was assigned by Ean Yong to help out with the project with the blessings of Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali.
“Ean Yong and Sean Oon put in a lot of effort and time to guide us,” Lim said.
For more information on the subsidy and application proces, visit the Selangor Neutering Subsidy website.