Kelantan: Kelantan is set to host the national-level 2025 Animal Welfare Day at the Seri Nipah Resort in Bachok this Saturday, focusing on the horse industry.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr. Marzuna Md Yunus, Head of the Animal Welfare Section of the Veterinary Regulatory Division at the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), announced that the event, organized in collaboration with the state government and Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, will highlight the significance of the horse industry as a part of Kelantan’s cultural identity.

The celebration will feature various activities, including the SMART Horse competition, horse joy ride performances, and information-sharing sessions on horse health and diseases. Additionally, there will be a briefing on horse registration and transfer processes. A Horse Identification Card Registration program is also planned to raise awareness among owners regarding their responsibilities and the welfare needs of their horses.

Dr. Marzuna, during an appearance on the ‘Apa Khabar Malaysia’ programme on BERNAMA TV, revealed that DVS would launch a new initiative involving microchips with unique serial numbers linked to a central database for horse identification. The first ten owners who register will receive free microchips and identification cards.

Dr. Marzuna also emphasized the importance of treating all animals with compassion, urging the public to refrain from acts of cruelty towards any animal, whether pets or strays. She stressed that society must understand the importance of empathy and compassion towards animals and advised owners to gain basic knowledge of animal care to better meet their pets’ welfare needs.