LETTER | The government is strongly urged to abolish the ineffective and inhumane catch-and-kill policy and implement a no-kill policy through a structured National Stray Animal Management Plan.

The recent Kluang stray dog incident has once again highlighted the cruelty and failure of mass culling, which does nothing to reduce stray populations in the long run.

Despite years of catch-and-kill operations, the number of strays continues to grow, proving that this approach is not a solution but a repetitive, costly, and brutal cycle.

Removing strays only creates a vacuum effect, where new animals move in and the cycle of overpopulation continues. This outdated method wastes public funds while damaging Malaysia’s reputation for animal welfare.

Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia (SAFM) and a coalition of 32 animal NGOs call for the immediate nationwide adoption of trap-neuter-vaccinate-return-manage (TNVRM) as the only humane, effective, and sustainable method for managing stray populations.

TNVRM involves trapping strays humanely, neutering/spaying them to prevent further breeding, vaccinating them to protect public health, returning them to their original location to avoid territorial conflicts, and managing them through continued monitoring and responsible feeding programmes.

This approach not only reduces stray populations over time but also improves the safety and well-being of both animals and the public.

In addition, we urge local councils to convert municipal dog pounds into neutering and rehoming centers instead of execution facilities.

Dog pounds should serve as temporary holding spaces for sterilisation and adoption efforts, not mass euthanasia sites.

The government must also enforce stricter penalties for pet abandonment and unregulated breeding while promoting public education on responsible pet ownership.

Local councils should work closely with NGOs to implement large-scale neutering programmes, facilitate adoptions, and create awareness campaigns to ensure long-term success.

The public has repeatedly spoken against the mass killing of stray animals, and it is time for the Housing and Local Government Ministry to take decisive action.

The government must immediately end catch-and-kill operations and replace them with a nationwide TNVRM policy. This is not just an animal welfare issue - it is a matter of responsible governance and sustainable policymaking.

SAFM and the coalition of 32 NGOs are prepared to collaborate with the government and local councils to bring real, lasting change. The time for discussions is over - it is time to act.

KALAIVANAN RAVICHANDRAN is president of Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia (SAFM).

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