TNR programme seeks to control strays

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KUCHING: Sarawak Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) and Kuching City North Commission (DBKU) expect to kick off their Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) pilot programme in January next year.

Speaking to reporters during the Animazing Race 2015 yesterday, SSPCA chairperson Rebecca D’Cruz said they will kick start the programme in Bandar Samariang.

D’Cruz said the TNR programme involves trapping or bringing in local strays, neutering or spaying them on-site and releasing them back into the community once they recover. The process should take a day.

The idea is to allow the dogs and cats to live out their days in their own territory but prevent them from reproducing.

“We have people going in to survey the area this weekend and volunteer veterinarians to participate.

“We need to find a community hall we can use or set up a tent. It’s all in the logistics and timing,” she said.

D’Cruz said that as it is a pilot project, all relevant authorities and councils will be invited to come and learn together.

“The pilot project is where we can put our plans into action and learn some lessons from there. Some areas will need different approaches.

“As it is sometimes hard to tell if a dog belongs to anyone due to the lack of a collar or licence, any canine left roaming the street is fair game,” she adds.

The relevant neighbourhoods will be notified when the TNR team is in their area.

Present at the Animazing Race was DBKU Datuk Bandar Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai who urged dog owners to do the responsible thing and not allow their pets to wander around unattended.