Van donation enables SPCA to be more mobile

THE Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Ampang recently received donations in the form of a vehicle and RM10,000 from SmithKline Beecham (SB). Jean Michel Schlosser, vice-president/managing director of SB, presented the domations to Mea Wheatley, whos is the SPCA's chairman.

Present at the ceremony were H.M.Nasir, SB's human resources and corporate affairs director, SPCA committee members Dr George Abraham and Christine Chin, and SPCA public relations officer Jeanette Low.

SPCA, a non-profit organisation which shelters animals, is located a stone's throw away from the company.

It relies on public donations as it receives no government grants.

Wheatley said: "The van is a much needed asset and will enable SPCA staff to be more mobile in their inspection work".

"The cash will be channeled directly into our spaying campaign fund".

She said the society received many complaints of animals living in poor conditions.

In response, the SPCA Inspector visits homes throughout Klang valley to counsel ignorant or negligent animal owners to care for their animals.

"Whenever necessary, we take up cases of animal cruelty with the help of the Veterinary Department".

"The SPCA inspector also visits animals adopted from the SPCA to ensure that the owners care for the animals", she added.

She said the spaying campaign fund was launched in October as part of SPCA's World Animal Day effort.

The campaign offers low-cost neutering of female cats and dogs to pet-owners from the lower income group.

Held in collaboration with the Small Animals Practitioners Association of Malaysia (SAPAM), the campaign is supported by some 35 veterinary surgeons throughout the Klang valley.

The caring corporate citizen role portrayed by SB is part of its on-going campaign of "We Care", said Nasir.

"The `I Care' campaign which eventually evolved to `We Care' will see employees not just looking at how to improve themselves but to reach out to the community and to provide a helping hand".

"Other social programmes will be organised in the future", he added.