Kids shower love on shelter's animals
By ESTHER CHANDRAN
Metro, 8 Oct 2003

SIXTEEN volunteers aged between nine and 16 years cuddled puppies and walked around the premises of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) to show the joy of owning a pup. 

These young ones did not have to be forced to hold a pup as they quickly reached into cages to pick up abandoned puppies in their arms and happily stroked and hugged them and even dropped little kisses on the homeless animals. 

The children were SPCA ambassadors during the World Animal Day celebrations on Oct 4 celebrated at SPCA's premises in Jalan Kerja Ayer Lama.  

Jordan Taylor and Tim Ives, both 12, were thrilled to be able to carry the puppies.  

“This is my first time here as a volunteer and I plan to spend a few hours of my time every Saturday,” said Jordan who has cats at home. 

SPCA public relations officer Melissa Raj said child volunteers, mostly from international schools, helped clean kennels and cages while the older kids took the animals out for a walk. 

To celebrate World Animal Day, SPCA introduced a three-month campaign sponsored by Purina Petcare called the SPCA/Purina Pet Adoptathon with the theme “Adopt a Pet, Adopt a Friend.” 

Raj said there were 250 cats and kittens and 250 dogs and puppies up for adoption. 

“All animals have been dewormed, vaccinated, neutered and are free from fleas and ticks,” she said. 

Those adopting the animals will also get a gift pack for each dog or cat adopted and free privilege card from Pets Wonderland. 

“The privilege card is usually priced at RM500 but during the campaign period, they will get the card free and be entitled to 20% discount at Pets Wonderland,” Raj said. 

SPCA also invited Purina's pet nutrition advisers to advise owners on the best food for their pets, while Pets Wonderland representatives were at hand to advise potential privilege card members. Visitors could get their arms tattooed with henna, dye and paint. 

Purina PetCare (M) Sdn Bhd country manager John Purdon said Purina was committed to research and development in the nutritional needs of small animals. 

“During this three-month campaign, our pet nutrition advisers will give free nutrition advice,” Purdon said. 

The SPCA took the opportunity to highlight World Farm Animals Day, which falls on Oct 2 every year. 

Raj said World Farm Animals Day was launched in 1983 to expose, mourn, memorialise and mitigate the suffering of billions of animals in the world's factory farms and slaughterhouses and its impact on human health, world hunger, natural resources and environmental quality.