Shah alam: Efforts to control the population of stray animals in urban areas are being intensified through the 'Potong Royong 2026' programme organised by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Selangor.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the first series of the programme this year, held in collaboration with local authorities, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), the Malaysian Veterinary Medical Association (MAVMA), and 15 volunteers, successfully neutered 160 cats and dogs. SPCA Selangor board member Dr Natasha Lee stated that the three-day initiative, which began last Monday, aimed to curb uncontrolled breeding while improving the health and welfare of stray animals through treatment, vaccination, and community education.
Dr Natasha explained that over the first two days, 120 cats were neutered, and an estimated 40 dogs would be neutered on the final day. She highlighted that the programme has achieved its target, although it is a small-scale effort compared to larger initiatives that usually span six days due to high demand and are contingent upon available funding.
Furthermore, Dr Natasha, who also serves as the director of Star Pets Animal Clinic, noted that regular implementation of such programmes provides the public with access to affordable neutering services. The programme offers a subsidised fee of RM50 for cats and RM100 for dogs, significantly lower than the typical market costs, which are around RM200 for cats and exceed RM300 for dogs. This approach is intended to encourage more pet owners to participate and have their animals neutered.
In addition to neutering, the initiative includes vaccination and basic treatment to help control the spread of diseases among animals. The Potong Royong programme, introduced in 2023, is a key effort by SPCA Selangor to manage animal populations through large-scale neutering activities, in collaboration with local authorities, UPM, MAVMA, and volunteers.
Since its inception, the programme has seen an increase in the number of neutered animals, from 1,354 in 2023 to 2,029 in 2024, and 1,651 last year. It has been implemented in several locations, including Shah Alam, Ampang Jaya, and Kuala Langat.