AFTER helming the position as the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) Stray and Abandoned Dog sub-committee chairman since 2018, Connie Tan has set her sights on making the state free of strays.
It may be a tall order, but Tan, besides carrying out her duties as a dedicated councillor, is nevertheless undeterred.
She hit upon the idea of a magazine last year and quickly began to work on it. Titled ‘Pawsible’, the magazine was finally launched in May this year.
The 65-page magazine, according to her, features articles on the ‘trap, neuter, release or rehome’ (TNR) programme, the support from non-governmental organisations (NGOs), adoption success stories and pet owner responsibilities.
In an interview with Buletin Mutiara recently, Tan shared that one of the magazine’s main purposes was to educate the public on how to care for and love animals.
“We need to join hands together in caring for our pets and to avoid the killing of street dogs inhumanely while replacing it with a more effective and humane stray management.
“MBPP has partnered with the International Aid for the Protection and Welfare of Animals (IAPWA) to humanely capture the dogs through the TNR programme.
“Previously, the strays were put to sleep, but the TNR programme is a friendly way to neuter and vaccinate the dogs against rabies before releasing them.
“We pledge to stop animal cruelty, especially the stray and abandoned dogs. This is a bold decision for the long-term betterment of the furkids and our community.
“The magazine also contains information on the application for a dog licence.
“We want to make sure every dog owner applies licence for their pet or pets,” she told Buletin Mutiara.
The past practice of catching the strays by using a lasso has been replaced with netting under the TNR programme.
To further help their cause, Tan said billboards designed with love for the environment and zero strays initiative were placed at bus stops.
“We have 64 bus stops that were designed with such catchy messages and we hope to increase the numbers in the future,” she said.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Joanne Foong and courtesy of Connie Tan