Waiting game: Pet stores in Selangor will no longer be allowed to sell animals. — CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
Selangor govt wants people to adopt animals, hopes move will reduce strays
PETALING JAYA: Buying your pet cat or dog from a shop will no longer be possible under new regulations planned by the Selangor government.
In a move designed to encourage more people to adopt rather than buy pets, the state is planning to ban all pet stores from selling cats and dogs.
“We are still in the midst of finalising the plan. Pet stores can sell pet food instead. In my constituency in Kinrara, we have a weekly pet adoption programme and about 20 pets are adopted on a monthly basis.
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“If all local councils carry out such programmes, we can help reduce pet abandonment rate,” said state exco man Ng Sze Han at the Forum Pengurusan Anjing Terbiar Selangor 2023.
The forum, organised by the Subang Jaya City Council, saw representatives from local councils and non-governmental organisations representing animal groups.
The announcement by the local government, public transportation and new village development committee chairman was hailed by many pet lovers.
Former pet shop owner Amy Lau welcomed the possible ban, saying she had voluntarily stopped selling animals and even closed her business 10 years ago.
“Most of my pet buyers were youngsters. They would buy pets for their girlfriend or boyfriend and then lose interest, abandoning the pet.
“I see more pet shops are also selling fewer animals. Those who want to buy can go to the reliable breeders or adopt animals,” she said.
Lau said some of the animals sold at shops could be from irresponsible breeders.
“These animals are kept in cages for many years for the sole purpose of breeding and can’t even walk properly. It is animal cruelty,” said Lau.
Jocelyn Ng, an owner of an eight-year-old husky, said pet shops were not the favoured place to get pure breed dogs, so a ban would not make a difference.
“We do not entirely trust these shop owners. They may simply claim an animal is a pure breed. We dog lovers look out for responsible breeders to buy from,” she said.
Jocelyn got her husky, named Isseymiyake, from a trusted friend.
Hayathi Ismail also said backyard breeders should be banned.
“They are the culprits. They advertise their pets on social media and they also sell to pet shops,” she said.
Meanwhile, Sze Han also said the state government had recommended all local councils use the “more humane” netting method to catch stray dogs.
He added that the looping method could be used only in hard-to-reach locations like under vehicles, small holes or drains.
The netting method, an innovation by the Sabak Bernam district council, allows dog catchers to carry the animals into vehicles and not drag them by their necks.
The Selangor government is also in the final stages of launching an international-standard Fur Shelter on a 1.2ha plot of land, he said.
Sze Han said the Fur Shelter would promote adoption, education and raise funds in a sustainable manner through various activities.
As of May 31, the Subang Jaya City Council recorded 1,000 complaints about dogs while the Sabak Bernam district council recorded 3,000 complaints.
