How much is that doggie in the window? So goes an old song. 

For animal welfare activists like the Selangor Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), the retail price is immaterial. They are more concerned with the real cost of puppies, kittens and the assortment of exotic species sold by the country’s pet trade. 

The “hidden costs” for common pets like puppies and kittens centre around the welfare of the breeder stock which has been compromised to produce young ones for the flourishing trade.  

This is because the breeding sector of the pet industry is loosely regulated, thus resulting in amateur breeders operating without licenses. They also escape inspection by the authorities. 

“The SPCA is campaigning for more stringent regulations. Anyone with more than two breeding bitches, in the case of dogs, should be considered a breeding establishment,” says its chairman Christine Chin. 

“The welfare of the breeding female is of paramount importance. Nutritious food, suitable enclosure and sufficient rest between pregnancies are a must. 

“There should be a limit to the number of litters a bitch can produce during her lifetime. We need stiffer fines for offenders to stop cruel acts on animals.” 

Citing the case of a breeder in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, who abused his 13 pedigree dogs but was only fined RM200 early this year, Chin says the penalty is a pittance considering that the breeder was selling each puppy for RM2,000. 

The magistrate’s court granted custody of the canines to the owner which prompted the SPCA to file a High Court appeal against the order. The High Court overruled the lower court decision and handed the animals over to the SPCA. The animals have since gone to new homes. 

For exotic species, the issue extends beyond the welfare of the animals.  

It is common knowledge that wild species are often protected in their range states (where they occur naturally) and supplies are either controlled with permits, limited by a collecting quota or totally prohibited.  

However, public demand for exotic pets is fuelling illegal trade in these wild creatures and contributing to species extinction. 

“Exotic pets are often marketed in a way that encourages impulse buying, particularly by parents wanting to please their children and ignorant buyers who do not do enough research on the animal’s needs.  

“This is a growing problem in Malaysia,” says SPCA cruelty investigator Sabrina Yeap. 

Yeap says the SPCA is against the keeping of exotic pets. 

“They are wild creatures and need their natural environment. It is not easy or cheap to replicate such an environment.  

“Wild animals have very different needs. Some may need to live alone while others ideally live in pairs,” Yeap explains, adding that next year the SPCA will be launching a public campaign against keeping exotics pets.  

The society will also work with the pet industry to look into the welfare of animals in the trade. – By Hilary Chiew