Tengku Permaisuri Selangor Urges for Better Care of Animal Shelters

By: Michelle Liew

Tengku Permaisuri Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin has ordered that the local authorities, especially the municipal councils, improve and upgrade the management procedures at the dog and cat shelters which they operate.

Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, who is also the Royal Patron of the 'Stray Free Selangor' (SFS) campaign run by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) stated that the parties must come up with a new, more holistic approach in managing breeding animal shelters.

Her Majesty expressed disappointment following the viral photos and videos of abandoned dogs being neglected at a dog confinement centre in Selangor, thus ordering that the daily standard operating procedures (SOP) be reviewed.

Tengku Permaisuri Selangor also suggested that efforts towards preserving the welfare and reducing the number of abandoned animals be intensified through the 'Create Caring and Compassionate Communities' (CCC) campaign.

"Among the things outlined in the campaign is to reinvigorate the collaboration and cooperation between the municipal council and the residents of the housing estates involved.

"Municipal councils in collaboration with the SPCA can also conduct 'responsible pet ownership' (RPO) sessions with residents, as well as prepare a schedule for regular visits by the SPCA and NGOs to abandoned animal confinement centres," Her Majesty stated.

Tengku Permaisuri Selangor said that animal welfare officers and animal lovers may be stationed in each district zone, further training them to encourage the spaying (neutering) of abandoned animals under the SFS campaign.

In addition, Her Majesty suggested that the authorities seek advisory and monitoring services from the SPCA and NGOs if there is a need to dispose of abandoned animals for health reasons or the like.

"In addition to the responsibilities that must be carried out by the authorities, every member of the community also needs to play a more significant role, especially in fostering feelings of love for animals and concern for the surrounding conditions," Her Majesty added.