Tuesday, September 29th, 2009 02:45:00
[1]LOVE NEEDED: Animals such as these kittens are always in need of our help
This is the day that we celebrate and appreciate animal life in all forms, be it pets, insects, wildlife or livestock.
I am sure many animal welfare organisations in Malaysia would have lined up several events to celebrate this day in many parts of the country.
Whether we admit it or not, animals do enrich our lives in so many ways and it is high time that we look at our relationship with them.
For our country, it will be more meaningful if the government and private companies participate actively in the celebration.
I hope that agencies like the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) and Wildlife Department will chip in by providing necessary logistic and other supporting facilities to the non-profit animal welfare bodies.
As we are aware, animal welfare organisations in the country basically survive on public donations and services provided by their small team of dedicated volunteers.
Any form of assistance, be it in kind or cash from the government and private companies, will be appreciated and would go a long way in sustaining the organisations and boosting the morale of the volunteers.
Maybe DVS can mark this World Animal Day in its calendar by making special awards (like grants) or certificates to selected animal welfare organisations for their outstanding contribution and services to animal welfare in the country. Apart from this, DVS should ensure that it updates its archaic 1953 Animal Ordinance.
There have been numerous calls from all sectors of Malaysian society to DVS to amend this toothless ordinance on animal cruelty, but the authorities have been keeping silence.
It is not only that it has been silent on the amendment of the ordinance, but strangely, to many other issues related to animal cruelty as well that have been raised by the media over the years.
S. Param
Ipoh, Perak