Dr S.F. Lim dreads the festive season. It is the time of year when there is an endless tide of abandoned animals to put to sleep. 

“More animals are surrendered as the major festivals approach. They are either brought in by their owners who go on holiday or are busy with the celebrations, or left to roam the streets and eventually end up at the SPCA,” says the senior veterinarian of the Selangor Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. 

“It is depressing. Fortunately that’s not all I do. I oversee the adoption programme as well,” says Dr Lim.  

Over the past 17 years, Dr Lim has performed countless euthanasia at the society’s animal shelter in Ampang Jaya, Kuala Lumpur.  

“It is especially hard when it comes to puppies and kittens. It’s just not fair to let them be born and then kill them. Having another vet, Dr Pushparani, helps in sharing the emotional burden.” 

Dr Lim says more cats are put to sleep as they breed faster than dogs. Cats can produce up to four litters a year with an average of four kittens per litter, while dogs mate twice a year and produce a litter of four to eight puppies. 

“When people get a pet dog or cat, they should neuter it. Those who feed strays should use the money to spay the animals. If you don’t have the money, you can talk to us,” says SPCA cruelty investigator Sabrina Yeap. 

Yeap says the society’s spay-neuter campaign should encourage the public to bring in strays to be sterilized. 

She says the society runs on a lean budget of RM50,000 per month from public donations and charity bazaars. It would need RM50mil a year if it keeps all the abandoned animals. 

The SPCA welcomes individuals or organizations which can set up No-Kill sanctuaries to accommodate strays. “We will provide technical and veterinary advice for these people.” 

Yeap is looking forward to the day when the SPCA can direct all its resources to address cruelty cases and the shelter can be used solely to house and treat abused animals. 

The SPCA will work with the Department of Veterinary Services to investigate reports of cruelty to animals. Yeap is pleased with the four prosecution cases this year, which have heightened public awareness. An average of two cruelty cases are reported to the SPCA every day.  

More people are also coming forward to adopt the animals, and the society needs more volunteers to screen the applicants, brief them and conduct post-adoption spot checks.  

As part of its strategy, the SPCA is looking into an education programme for schoolchildren. Developed by the World Society for the Protection of Animals, the programme aims to promote animal welfare and instill responsibility among pet owners. – By Hilary Chiew