Casey and Peanut: Be Kind to The Animals and Be Friends for Life (SPCA Malaysia)

Monday, August 6, 2007

What is SPCA ?

About SPCA

SPCA is originally from London, England. It is known as RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and from there, it spread and mushroomed globally.

In 1958, SPCA Selangor was founded in Kuala Lumpur by a British expatriate by the name of Mrs. Ruth Spiers. She was there with her husband during the colonial days and saw many stray animals suffering on the streets. Her compassion towards the homeless animals in distress led to the birth of SPCA Selangor.

SPCA Selangor is now a 40 year-old non-profit organisation to the prevention of cruelty to animals. The organisation is active in the investigation and prosecution of the mistreatment of animals, striving to educate the community about humane interaction with animals. Their only funding is from public donations, they receive none whatsoever from the government.

At present, there are six SPCA organisations in Malaysia. They are not considered as branches because each SPCA is set up on its own by their committee members. Hence, every SPCA is independent and individually responsible for the animals´ welfare of its respective state.

The 80 year-old SPCA in Kuching is the oldest in Malaysia, followed by the one in Penang, Selangor, Ipoh and Malacca. Recently, a new SPCA is just registered in Johor.

SPCA Facts & Figures

The SPCA is an NGO and therefore receives no government funding, relying entirely on donations from the public and businesses.

The SPCA is working towards a Stray Free Malaysia 2010, with the aim of having in place education and facilities to enable the public to take responsibility for neutering their pets thereby controlling the numbers of stray animals.

The SPCA has already put this project into motion with the overwhelmingly successful ‘Klinik Kembiri’ - a low cost neutering clinic for owned animals. It is hoped eventually that each Malaysian municipality will have its own Klinik Kembiri. In 2004 around 800 animals were neutered at Klinik Kembiri.

In Malaysia, charges of animal abuse can be laid under the Criminal Code of Animal Ordinance 1953, which make it an offence to cause unnecessary pain, suffering or distress to an animal.

The SPCA is campaigning for a change in this law which will have far reaching effects for the welfare of animals. The changes it wants are: - Increasing the fine for people convicted of cruelty to animals from RM 200 to around RM10,000 - Increasing the possible length of jail sentence that can be awarded from six months to two years.- The introduction of a lifelong ban on keeping animals for those convicted of animal cruelty, so the animals cannot be returned to their owners.

So.... How Can we Help , Contribute,Support SPCA to defend and to Prevent Cruelty towards Animals ?

...... below are a few things we could do :