ANIMAL WELFARE DAY RAISES PUBLIC AWARENESS, VETS NOTE MORE CASES OF ABUSE

KEPALA BATAS, July 25 (Bernama) -- Animal Welfare Day, which is held on Oct 4 worldwide every year, has had a positive impact by raising and fostering community awareness in caring for the welfare of animals in this country.

Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) director-general Dr Akma Ngah Hamid said it can be seen from the awareness of the public with more complaints about animal abuse so that action can be taken against irresponsible parties.

She informed that DVS received an increase in complaints regarding animal abuse with 1,249 cases received in 2021, which subsequently increased to 1,580 cases in 2022, 2,622 cases (2023) and 2,162 cases in the first six months of this year.

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“The public is beginning to realise that animal welfare is serious. This shows that there is an impact from Animal Welfare Day, promotion of awareness and strict laws that we implement,” she said after the launch ceremony of Animal Welfare Day 2024 in Kampung Agong, Penaga here today.

It was officiated by the Penang Agrotechnology and Food Security and Cooperative Development Committee chairman Fahmi Zainol.

Akma said the organisation of Animal Welfare Day also received the support of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) who also run campaigns to promote welfare and compassion for animals.

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Regarding Animal Welfare Day 2024, she said that for the first time, the launch was held outside the headquarters in Penang and this year it was organised by the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) in collaboration with DVS Penang, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Universiti Putra Malaysia, Murni Expo and Kampung Agong.

She said Animal Welfare Day is held to promote animal welfare and further increase community awareness regarding responsible animal ownership, courtesy, love and a concern for animals.

Among the interesting activities held in conjunction with Animal Welfare Day launch were a fun run, animal welfare exhibition parade at Pet Expo Penang, fun games and a colouring competition.

In addition, in the Road To Animal Welfare Day 2024, there will also be activities such as a high school speech competition, an online doodle drawing and colouring competition and a photography competition for university students, while DVS in collaboration with Murni Expo will organise a Pet Expo on July 27-28 at Spice Arena in Bayan Baru near here.

Akma said DVS is also always committed to publicise and implement initiatives to the public in fostering and increasing awareness related to animal welfare in the country.

She said DVS also advises individuals or animal-related associations to directly channel complaints regarding animal welfare to them through the online system link awa.dsv.gov.my (MyAnimalwelfare).

-- BERNAMA