Public should value SPCA for its services
NST, 1 May 2003

May 1:  AS a frequent visitor to the SPCA Se-langor animal shelter, I have many opportunities to observe the interac-tion between the staff and public.

While there are many compassionate people out there who are sympathetic to the cause of unwanted animals and help the SPCA in any way they can, there are also those who blame the SPCA for the increase in the noise level and the fouling of the streets in their residential areas that may or may not have been caused by the dogs of the SPCA.

I understand that the SPCA does not allow its volunteers to walk the dogs beyond its compound.

Therefore I would advise the complainants to be understanding and determine if it really were the SPCA dogs that were making a nuisance of themselves, before lodging complaints with City Hall/Ampang Jaya Municipal Council.

It is not the SPCA's choice that the animal shelter is located in the city and close to residential areas. While a city shelter has the advantage of accessibility, I am positive that the SPCA staff and volunteers are aware of the problems it could occasionally create for residents and the public.

The SPCA has therefore taken steps to accommodate the demands of the public by improving on ways of disposing waste and making rulings regarding where volunteers are allowed to bring dogs.

It is hoped that the complainants understand that if the SPCA had a choice, it would have preferred a lo-cation in a less densely-populated area. Perhaps a Good Samaritan would be willing to donate a piece of land outside the city limits.

W.E.L Rawang