Latest news with #StandardInsights
The Star
4 days ago
- General
- The Star
Malaysia's growing pet love story
ILYA Farhana Mohamad Idris was descending the staircase at her rented apartment in Subang Jaya, Selangor, when the sight of a furry creature caught her attention. Curious, she approached to find it was a kitten. She thought it was barely a month old, likely separated from its mother. 'He was tiny. I couldn't find anyone who could adopt him, so I decided to,' she recalled. Parrots are popular pets among Malaysians. One year has passed, and the cat, now named Didi, has proved to be a great addition to Ilya's household. 'He is so clingy, he sleeps with my sister and me at night,' she said, adding the cat had been vaccinated and was well fed. Like Ilya and her sister, thousands, if not millions, of Malaysians are choosing to keep pets. A 2023 survey by Standard Insights, a consumer research platform, said a growing number of households are now pet owners. Pet owners with canine companions at an event in Bayan Lepas, Penang. — Courtesy photos and filepics Of the 1,000 people surveyed, 26.4% own multiple pets, and among those who do not have any, 26.2% are interested in owning one, which could indicate a growing trend of pet ownership in the future. The study further reported that 78% of respondents own cats, followed by dogs (14%) and tropical fish (13%). Other species such as birds, reptiles and small mammals make up a small percentage. (see graphic) Although owning a pet can be fulfilling, animal activists warn that it must be ethical and responsible to ensure the well-being of these animals. Neglect and cruelty Dr Saravanakumar says chaining and keeping pets in small spaces is an offence. According to reports, the Veterinary Services Department (DVS) received some 7,600 cases of cruelty towards pets between 2021 and mid-2024. Cases increased from 1,249 in 2021 to 2,622 in 2023 and 2,162 in the first half of 2024. Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, and Johor were among the states with the highest number of reported incidents. They mostly involved dogs (5,266) and cats (1,900), though other animals such as horses, rabbits and farm animals had also been victims. Former DVS senior deputy director Dr Saravanakumar Supramaniam Pillai said that pet ownership was governed by the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) 2015 (Act 772). Section 24 of AWA, he said, outlined duties of owners which included providing adequate food, shelter, healthcare and freedom for animals to express natural behaviours. 'Section 29, meanwhile, addresses offences for cruelty such as abuse, neglect, torture and abandonment,' he said. Nurul Hidayah says pets are 'quiet healers' that can help improve one's mental health. Dr Saravanakumar said that AWA defined pets as cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, non-protected species of birds and ornamental fish. 'Exotic animals and wildlife, like certain species of birds, reptiles and mammals, fall under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716) and require a special licence from the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan),' he said. The senior advisor on farm animal welfare, policy and engagement for Humane Society International said a licence was not needed for owning cats and small pets. 'Dog ownership, meanwhile, requires a licence from the local authority, and owners must provide proof of rabies vaccination and microchipping. 'Local councils also tend to restrict the number of dogs per household to only one or two,' he said, adding that certain breeds were banned for safety reasons. Cheah says shift in lifestyle contributes towards increased pet ownership. Several prosecutions had taken place due to failure to ensure welfare, according to Dr Saravanakumar. 'Not providing water and food, poor hygiene, lack of veterinary care, chaining and keeping in small spaces as well as abandoning aging or sick pets are common offences. 'Those who witness cruel treatment may submit a report to DVS, local authorities or Perhilitan,' he said. Under AWA, the owner or licensee who commits an offence is liable to a fine of between RM15,000 and RM75,000 or imprisonment for no more than two years, or both. Welfare in mind Selangor Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) general manager Kelvin Cheah said a shift in lifestyle, accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic, contributed to increased pet ownership. 'Cats and small dogs are part of emotional support systems in households, especially in single-person ones and childless families. 'Experience of isolation during Covid-19 lockdowns also motivated many people to adopt pets for emotional support,' he said. Cheah, however, stressed that owning a pet should not be seen as a trend but a long-term commitment towards ensuring welfare. 'SPCA regularly advocates that animals are not property but sentient beings with physical, social and emotional needs. 'Apart from rescuing animals, SPCA also works with DVS and local councils to investigate incidents of cruelty,' he said. Those wanting to own a pet are advised to consider adoption first, either from pounds run by the SPCA or local authorities, added Cheah. 'We have over 100 animals at any given time, all of which have undergone veterinary checks, vaccinations, deworming and are neutered. 'There are also other pounds such as those owned by local councils in Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya and Kuala Langat,' he said. Around 13% of Malaysians own ornamental fish, according to a study. Cheah urged prospective owners to be prepared emotionally and financially before bringing a pet into their lives. This include setting aside between RM100 and RM300 a month for food, hygiene supplies, and medical expenses. 'Veterinary bills for emergency medical situations can easily cost between RM500 and RM3,000. 'Owners must also keep in mind that animals also need daily interaction, stimulation and exercise,' he said. Emotional support Besides being loyal companions, pets can also help their owners regulate emotions and alleviate stress. A 2021 study titled 'Attitude towards pets and depression among residents in Klang Valley' commissioned by several local universities, found that individuals who held a positive attitude towards pets were more likely to draw mental health benefits from them, especially those dealing with depression. Nurul Hidayah Mohd Sa'at, clinical psychologist at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Bertam Medical Centre, said pets were 'quiet healers'. 'Many of my patients say pets help them feel less lonely, which is not surprising. 'Research shows that interacting with animals can reduce stress hormones and increase oxytocin, a feel-good hormone that helps us feel calm and happy,' she said. Catopia in Shah Alam is among a number of shelters housing rescued cats in Klang Valley. — Filepic Elaborating, Nurul Hidayah said pets were regularly used in therapy sessions to help people open up emotionally. 'These types of therapy can help one manage anxiety and even improve their social skills. 'I've seen special needs children and adults with trauma finding comfort in animals when words failed them,' she said.
Rakyat Post
25-04-2025
- Business
- Rakyat Post
Your Pets Are Bored At Home? Discover These Pet-Friendly Spaces In Klang Valley
Subscribe to our FREE As we all know, Malaysia is one of the countries where people love to adopt pets, especially cats and dogs. However, some places in our country do not allow pets due to certain reasons. Issues like this will surely cause inconvenience for some pet owners, as they want to bring their pets everywhere they go, if possible. More pet-friendly places in Klang Valley Fortunately, there's good news for pet lovers as things are starting to change. In recent years, the Klang Valley has seen a positive change with the increase of more pet-friendly developments. According to a recent Standard Insights analysis provided by Henry Butcher Real Estate Sdn Bhd, as reported by More Malaysians are searching for pet-friendly homes as a result of this increased interest. What makes a home pet-friendly? In the report by The Edge, Tan Ka Leong from Coldwell Banker Richard Ellis/C H Williams Talhar & Wong Sdn Bhd said younger generations such as Gen Z and millennials, prefer homes with green areas where their dogs can run free. Places like Desa ParkCity in Kuala Lumpur, with parks and open spaces for walking are already known for being pet-friendly. Other pet-friendly places in the Klang Valley include: Jaya One and Megah Rise in Petaling Jaya Bon Kiara in Mont'Kiara Alora Residences and SouthPlace 2 in Subang Jaya The Ashwood in U-Thant, Kuala Lumpur Pet-friendly areas usually have features like: Pet walking areas Special bins and lifts for pets Washing stations Rules to balance comfort for everyone in the community Pet-friendly living in high-rise homes High-rise buildings are becoming more in demand because landed homes are too pricey. This means that there is an increase in the demand for pet-friendly apartments. However, pet owners have to take responsibility in order for these places to work, such as making sure pets don't bother other people, cleaning up after them, and keeping them quiet at night. Not just homes, cafes and work spaces too Pet-friendly areas are not only limited to residences. Pets are also starting to be accepted in cafes, and even workplaces. In an effort to attract workers who prefer working with their furry companions close by, some remote working space now allow pets. Even if you don't own a pet but still love being around them, there are pet cafes where you can spend time and play with them. Yugi Cafe, Kota Damansara Monster. A Garden Cafe, Central Market, KL Common Ground Jaya One, Petaling Jaya There are still room for improvement However, not everyone feels comfortable living around pets, especially dogs. For example, most Muslims in Malaysia are fine with cats but would rather not live near dogs. Therefore, developers must find a balance between making spaces pet-friendly and guaranteering the comfort of the larger community. Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
