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Kita kerap kali mendengar bahawa ‘Trap, Neuter, Release’ (TNR) atau Tangkap, Mandul, Lepas adalah kaedah yang lebih berkesan jika dibandingkan dengan tangkap dan bunuh (catch and kill).  Tapi kenapa ‘catch and kill’ tidak berkesan, sedangkan kaedah ini banyak kali digunakan oleh kebanyakkan pihak seperti kerajaan tempatan? Cuma tangkap dan bunuh, apa yang susah?  Kaedah tangkap dan bunuh boleh menyebabkan kawasan tersebut mengalami satu fenomena yang dikenali sebagai ‘kesan vakum’ (vacuum effect).  Walaupun kaedah tangkap dan bunuh akan mengurangkan populasi kucing atau anjing dalam jangka masa pendek, ia hanya bersifat sementara dan berpotensi menyebabkan populasi kucing di kawasan tersebut semakin bertambah pada masa hadapan.   Tangkap & Bunuh Menyebabkan Kadar Populasi Melambung  Kesan vakum akan terjadi apabila haiwan terbiar dari kawasan lain datang mendiami kawasan yang kosong setelah ‘dibersihkan’ melalui kaedah tangkap dan bunuh. Akibatnya, haiwan-haiwan ini akan membiak dengan lebih banyak dan menjadikan isu populasi semakin tidak terkawal.  Kesan vakum ialah antara sebab SAFM sering mengatakan bahawa TNR lebih baik dalam jangka masa panjang. Tangkap dan bunuh bukan sahaja satu langkah yang kejam, malah ia juga membazirkan duit rakyat dan hanya akan menyebabkan berlakunya kesan vakum.  Oleh itu, mengapa masih ada lagi pihak yang melakukan kaedah ini sedangkan ia terbukti tidak membawa solusi yang mampan?  TNR elak kesan vakum dan populasi yang lebih terkawal  Sebenarnya, wujud cara yang lebih berperikemanusiaan untuk mengurangkan populasi haiwan terbiar iaitu dengan cara tangkap, mandul dan lepas (TNR).  Dengan langkah ini, kucing atau anjing terbiar tidak akan membiak dan populasi dalam satu-satu kawasan dapat dikawal. Langkah ini bukan sahaja lebih berperikemanusiaan, ia juga terbukti lebih berkesan berbanding kaedah tangkap dan bunuh yang kejam dan membazir duit.  Elakkan Kesan Vakum di Kawasan Anda, Praktikkan TNR  Bersama, kita boleh mengentikan penggunaan kaedah tangkap dan bunuh yang kejam dan tidak berkesan.  Sekiranya dasar tempatan menyokong kaedah TNR, populasi kucing dan anjing terbiar bukan sahaja dapat dikawal, ia juga membenarkan haiwan terbiar ini hidup dalam keadaan yang lebih selesa di samping manusia. 

By Vangeswari, SAFM Why do we always tell people to adopt and don’t shop? Why should get a pet from the shelter instead of the pet store? Here, we want to share with you some reasons why adopting a pet would benefit you and your family and the misconceptions of adopting. 1. You Are Saving a Life For us, this is a good enough reason why you go to shelters and get a pet from there. By adopting from a shelter, you are providing an animal with the second chance they deserve. Many have been rescued from horrific circumstances such as cruelty, neglect and abandonment, or quite simply their owners were no longer able to look after them due to illness or a change in situation. Shelter staff work tirelessly to nurse animals back to health, rehabilitate disturbed animals and do everything they possibly can to ensure they are prepared to go to a new home. Sadly, not all of them are as fortunate. Many shelters have to euthanise due to lack of space, meaning many healthy animals lose their lives every day just because no one wants them! Imagine yourself as an abandoned cat or dog who lived its last days in cages, only to be ‘put to sleep’ because no human wants you. It’s heartbreaking.  You have the power to stop this from happening. By adopting an animal that has been abandoned through no fault of their own, you are blessing them with mercy and a second chance for them to live and be happy. 2. Eradicate Puppy Farms & Unethical Breeders Pic courtesy of Pranidchakan, Pexels.com A puppy farm or mill, is the illegal practice of breeding puppies for the purpose of making profits for the breeders, without any regard to the dogs’ health or well being. Dogs at puppy farms are often forced to breed several times until they’re physically and emotionally traumatised. They are often kept in terrible conditions without basic hygiene and necessities. The same thing can happen to cats, rabbits, hamsters and other pets. Especially in Malaysia where our laws are very lax, it is very hard to tell if the animal advertised comes from an ethical or unethical breeder. Unethical breeders are not concerned with producing healthy animals, which results in the animals born with severe problems that emerge over time. They also usually don’t receive any veterinary care, and will often be killed once they can no longer reproduce.  Adopting from a shelter can aid in stopping animals from being subjected to such horrific circumstances. Rather than funding this illegal and unethical trade, you will be rehoming a pet from a non-profit organisation that supports animal welfare. 3. Teaches Empathy & Awareness Pic courtesy of Tong Nguyen van, unsplash.com Every year, many adult dogs and cats are surrendered to animal shelters due to the owners not finding them ‘cute’ anymore. These irresponsible owners would received small puppies or kittens as Christmas or birthday gifts. For a while, they enjoy the pet being small and cute. But soon they realised that pets come with big responsibilities. The cute puppies soon grew up to be rowdy and misbehaving dogs with no discipline. This has thus contributed to the over-crowding of shelters that can be prevented if only the owners stick to their responsibilities. But adopting from a shelter however, can teach us to be more empathetic and kind. Try is out yourself. Go to your nearest shelter and see if you can keep a straight face while looking at abandoned and unwanted animals. There are many lessons a visit to the shelter can teach you. And when you’re ready to adopt, your pet will continue to teach you about gratefulness, happiness and what it means to be part of a family.  4. Get a Vaccinated & House-trained Pet Workers and volunteers in animal shelters work hard to ensure a rescued animal is healthy and safe before it is considered adoptable. So don’t worry about getting a ‘sick’ animal from the shelter. Some animals might have scars or defects from their years of abuse or hardship in the streets, but they should have been treated with vaccines and medications prior to adoption. If you’re adopting directly from the previous owner, you can get the animal checked at the vet first. Don’t forget to spay and neuter while you’re at it! Shelter animals are also house-trained to go to the loo. This saves you time from having to toilet-train a newborn kitten or puppy. You’ll also be surprised at the story behind each animal in the shelter. Many cats and dogs there came from difficult backgrounds, but once they are loved, their personality drastically changes, like this story for example. 5. Become an Older Animal’s Best (Human) Friend Pic courtesy of Madeline Bowen, Unsplash.com Don’t get us wrong, there are many good things when you adopt a puppy or a kitten from the shelter. However, the sad thing is that many older cats and dogs are left unwanted in the shelter for months and even years. Until one day, they have to be euthanised. Consider adopting adults cats or dogs if you’re looking for a pet that’s more independent and quieter. Older or adult pets are often calmer and quite happy just sitting by your side, compared to the hyper-active young ones. They still need plenty of playtime and attention, though! Adopt an adult cat or dog and see how loving and caring they are, while being playful and naughty at times too. 6. Help Solve Overpopulation of Street Animals For every animal that is adopted and rehomed, another one is saved from the streets from hunger and disease. Since animal shelters are always over-crowded to the point that some have to be put down, adopting them means that shelters can focus on controlling the population of street animals. When uncontrolled, stray animals causes a lot of problems for both the people and themselves. Too many strays died of hunger and diseases caused by

By Syira SAFM The pandemic has taught us many things – about what really matters, what our true priorities are and what do we live for. For many, it’s family. In these testing times, we believe family is more important than ever. If you have a cherished pet, you would know how important it is for your pet to be safe, happy, and healthy during these times. But pet care during MCO & the pandemic can be challenging. Routines are now changed, no more visits to the park, no more trips to the beach. It is especially hard if you have to take care of both pets and children! So, if you need some tips on how to care for your pet during MCO, these might give you some ideas. 1. Stay Alert (But Don’t Panic) on Health & Nutrition Social distancing applies to both humans and animals. While many scientists believe the coronavirus CANNOT be transmitted to pets, it’s still very wise to keep your pets away from crowded areas. Yes, including the dog park. This virus is new and we’re getting new information about it every week. So stay safe and stay alert, but never panicking. Stock up on kibbles and pet treats before any panic buying happens again Never force your animals to wear face mask! They just need to stay at home If you’re sick, minimise contact with your pet until you feel better If they’re sick, quickly call the vet clinic and set up an appointment, while always following SOP For outdoor cats, try to keep them indoors as much as you can. Use a cat leash if she insists on going outside, and limit her to only the backyard or apartment area. 2. Stick to a Daily Routine Indoor cats and other small pets like rabbits and hamsters are probably the easiest when it comes to social distancing and petcare during MCO (like my lazy indoor cat). Outdoor cats however, might not be too comfortable staying inside for too long and need to be outside. You can use the cat leash or if that fails, be consistent on a routine where your cat should go out only at certain times of the day.   For dogs, it is EXTREMELY important for you to stick to a routine. No matter its size and breed, all dogs need consistent schedule to avoid stress and anxiety which then leads to misbehaving. Have a timetable for when your dog should go outside to poop or pee, when it’s play time, time for walks, and time to feed. By being disciplined in your schedule, your dog can anticipate his day and reduces uncertainty and mixed messaging. 3. Make Time for Play & Exercise Image courtesy of Mat Coulton, Pixabay.com In your pet’s schedule, allocate plenty of time for play. Both cats and dogs need exercise routines to keep them occupied and tired so they can go to sleep easily. Yes, they’re just like children! Speaking of children, get your kids involved as well. The pet is the responsibility of the whole family, not just one member. Other than playing, tell your kids to read books aloud to them or do activities together. In some cases such as EMCO/PKPD, the law doesn’t allow you to go outside at all. If you can’t bring your dog outside for walks, try to use the space in your home to do some exercise. If you have a backyard, that’s great enough for some running around. If you don’t, allocate a space in your home to play catch, zoomies and general fooling around. Buy some pet toys online designed to keep pets focused. A good chew toy for example, can save you from a bored, misbehaving dog. 4. Give Them Positivity & Encouragement Petcare during MCO can be very mentally-straining. So don’t sweat out the small stuff like a messy room or noisy barking dogs (poor things are just very bored) and focus on the bigger picture; getting the family to stay positive and work together. Some days will be tougher than others, but having a pet can sometimes be rewarding. They provide comfort and love if you treat them right. I would pick up my cat at the end of a long day and hide my face in her fur for as long as I need. Always give you pet praises and encouragement whenever they do something good and behave. NEVER punish them for bad behaviours. Instead, be very disciplined about your rules and routine. If a pet misbehave, use a stern voice and give it some time-out. Positive reinforcement is shown to be more effective than negative punishments, so give them all the praises and treats for good behaviour, even if it means staying quiet throughout your video conference. 5. Spare Some Kibbles for Other Animals In Need MCO is a tough time for everyone. It is especially tough for stray animals and those in animal shelters. Animal food banks are running dangerously low in funds due to the pandemic and many abandoned animals, both in the streets and in shelters are starving. MCO closes down many businesses and restaurants, which means strays who had depended on scraps and leftovers have lost their main food source. These animals need your compassion and kindness more than ever. Spare some kibbles for them and donate what you can to the nearest shelter or animal organisation. Donate a little to save a life and give abandoned cats and dogs a chance to survive  in these uncertain times. In Conclusion Your pet is very grateful to have a thoughtful, kind fur parent such as you. Hopefully these petcare during MCO tips can help you and the cherished furry friend go through a difficult time. No matter how hard it might be, do not mistreat or abandon your pet. Sadly, there were a lot of cases of pet-dumping during the first MCO lockdown. There are too many strays and abandoned animal in the streets caused by

Do you have a pet dog in your home? Maybe you’re thinking about getting that adorable golden retriever puppy you’ve seen by the pet shop window. Or better yet, you’ve been wanting to adopt a mongrel from the shelter. Either way, there’s a lot of responsibility of owning a pet such as a dog. Other than proper food, shelter, and love, pet owners have to spay & neuter dogs for a variety of reasons. Let’s look at 5 main reasons why you have to spay your dog: 1. Spayed & Neutered Dogs Are Healthier A vast majority of animal doctors around the world agreed that spayed and neutered dogs live healthier lives. Spaying (for female canines) and neutering (for males) reduce risks for canine cancers, sexually-transmitted infections (STI/STD), kidney infections, bacterial infections and so much more. Spaying also stops misbehaviours caused by the dogs going ‘in heat’. They’ll get less rowdy and aggressive, behaves and follow commands better. 2. They Have Longer Lifespans It makes sense that when a dog is healthier thanks to spaying, it could live longer! Every pet owner dreams of living with their cherished fur baby for years and years to come, to be the companion and man’s best friend for as long as life allows it. So give this chance for your dog and have it neutered. Dogs normally have a lifespan of about 12-14 years depending on the breed, but a healthy happy dog can live up to 20 years or more! 3. They Have Better Temperament & Less Pain As mentioned before, spayed & neutered dogs behave better because their reproductive hormones are reduced. They tend to be less aggressive, more docile, and fare better in temperament and mood. But of course, to have a controlled dog who behaves well requires more than spaying it. Dogs need proper training since they’re puppies. That being said, spaying does help to reduce a dog’s tendency to be aggressive. Female dogs in particular, won’t be in pain from going in heat, after spaying. Unspayed female dogs undergo painful menses that can lead to bleeding and swelling. Spaying stops this process entirely so your dog won’t need to be in pain anymore! 4. Saves Money & Vet Expenses We mentioned that spaying reduces risk for infections and diseases. So let’s keep the vet bills to a minimum with only the necessary expenses; medical checkups, vaccinations, and neutering. True to the adage, prevention is better than cure, you can avoid more medical costs for diseases that can be prevented when you spay & neuter your dogs. Spaying also avoid unplanned ‘grandchildren’ bore by your pet dogs. There are many cases of pet dumping on public grounds, usually a box of newborn puppies or a mother dog with her puppies abandoned by irresponsible owners. Pet dumping is wrong, both under the Animal Welfare Act 2015 and under social morals. It’s akin to torturing your pet by letting it die slowly of starvation, sickness, loneliness and getting run over by vehicles. Pets that are used to being fed and protected would have a terrible time fending for themselves, especially puppies and new mothers. The cost of spaying and neutering is not that high, contrary to what some may think. You only have to pay once for every dog you own. And the time taken for the surgery to complete isn’t as long as normal surgery for humans; a mere few hours. And you don’t have to worry about your dog being pain since they’ll be effectively anesthetised during the whole procedure. They won’t feel a thing, just as long as you go to legitimate vet clinics done by certified doctors! 5. Helps Control Stray Population In the Streets Dogs reproduce very quickly. Depending on the breed, one unspayed female dog can get pregnant as young as 6 months old and have up to 8 puppies per pregnancy. In a year she can go in heat 2-3 times and may get pregnant more than once. Multiply that with her siblings who are also unspayed, and you’ll have too many dogs abandoned in the streets, fighting for scare food and shelter. Many pet dumping cases happen when owners suddenly realise that they have way too many dogs to take care of and too many mouths to feed. But pet dumping is such a bad solution for a serious problem. The solution is to spay and neuter your pets to avoid overpopulation of strays. It will lessen the burden of the owners, make the dog’s life happier and healthier and benefit both parties. So in conclusion, please spay & neuter your dogs for the betterment of your life, your dog, and our community. Be responsible owners and take the step to bring your beloved pooch to the vet for vaccination and neutering. Your dogs will thank you for being diligent and caring of its needs. Help our community control its stray population that will lead to animal abuse and cruelty and share this article to friends and family. Together, let’s be better pet owners to our cherished furry family members!

Penyediaan penjagaan asas haiwan kesayangan adalah kunci untuk menjadi pemilik haiwan yang bertanggungjawab. Untuk memiliki haiwan kesayangan merupakan satu komitmen seumur hidup yang harus dipikul untuk memberikan ruang dan kehidupan yang baik kepada anak bulu  anda. Haiwan peliharaan ini membawa bahagia, kasih sayang tanpa syarat ke dalam kehidupan pemiliknya seiring dengan tanggungjawab yang sudi dipikulnya. Namun, semua itu memerlukan garis panduan yang perlu dipenuhi demi memastikan haiwan kesayangan terjaga daripada sudut kesihatan dan kebahagiaannya.  Jangan sangka untuk membela haiwan kesayangan hanya perlu untuk diberi makan, ia memerlukan lebih daripada itu.  Belaian kasih sayang dan perhatian merupakan kunci utama untuk haiwan kesayangan anda membesar dengan sihat. Enam keperluan asas yang wajib disediakan iaitu : Haiwan kesayangan memerlukan makanan yang sihat dan bersesuaian dengan jenisnya. Makanan yang sesuai akan mengekalkan kesihatan, tumbesaran dan mencegah penyakit. Memberikan haiwan kesayangan anda 24/7 akses kepada air minuman segar dan ruang pengudaraan yang mencukupi. Ruang makan dan minum haruslah bersih dan pengudaraan yang elok bagi mengelakkan bau najis. Penjagaan haiwan kesayangan yang betul termasuk menyediakan tempat tinggal yang selamat dan selesa. Haiwan peliharaan perlu pergi ke tandas dengan kerap. Jadi, alas najis contohnya untuk kucing dan haiwan seumpamanya haruslah sentiasa bersih dan sedia untuk digunakan. Pastikan haiwan kesayangan anda mendapat senaman yang kerap bagi mengelakkan obesiti. Tanpa ruang yang mencukupi, haiwan peliharaan akan kurang aktif, mudah tertekan dan senang sakit. Jadi, sediakan ruang untuk mereka ‘bersenam’. Haiwan kesayangan perlu dibawa ke veterinar untuk penjagaan kesihatan secara rutin. Untuk memiliki haiwan kesayangan, kita tidak boleh lokek dalam menyediakan keperluan asasnya agar ia sentiasa sihat.  Malahan agama juga menuntut untuk kita menyantuni haiwan kesayangan dengan memenuhi keperluannya mengikut kemampuan.

By Syira SAFM Littering sucks. To us, it causes an eyesore to the public, it blocks drains and cause unbearable stench. But for in many natural places, littering kills animals. For us humans, it merely causes a mild inconvenience. But to stray animals and wildlife, it can be life-threatening. There are countless of cases of dead animals found with plastic in their stomach, or strangled by plastic bags and other littered rubbish. Some of us might already be aware of how plastic is dangerous to sea animals and how it killed millions of marine life, but it is just as bad for land animals as well. Our trash never brings any good. Here are ways how our irresponsible act of littering kills animals and wildlife alike: 1. Death Due to Eating Plastic & Toxic Chemicals This would be the no.1 cause of unnecessary and preventable deaths among wild animals and strays. Many of our trash are not separated and it is sadly common to wrap food waste in plastic bags before littering in the streets. Animals such as cats, dogs, crows, and even cows will scavenge for food. Using their keen sense of smell, they can detect leftover food among piles of plastic bag. As they are often starving, these animals would gobble up the food together with bits of plastic and other chemicals. Thus, they often develop stomach problems and many died of poisoning and other complications due to plastic indigestion. 2. Choking Due to Plastic Bags, Cans & Jars It might be funny to see an animal’s head stuck inside a jar or a can, but many of them died due to getting strangled or choked from trash. Things like plastic rings often strangled the animal and cause inability to breath. The poor animal’s death is often slow and painful. Our plastic bags are also the main murderer for many deaths in the wild. Plastics are notoriously hard to decompose for something we use only once. Same goes with straws, bottles, and anything single-use. These are especially harmful to marine life as the trash often end up in the ocean. 3. Cuts & Bruises from Sharp Objects Hungry animals often gobble up food quickly without considering what they’re eating. As a result, many of them suffer cuts in their mouth after biting into glass, jars, and cans. Smalls animals such as mice and lizards would climb into littered tins and get cuts in their body due to the sharp edges. So, what can we do to minimise the problem of littering in Malaysia? 1. Dispose your trash properly The most obvious way is to stop littering and throw your rubbish at the right place. If you have an outdoor picnic or event where any trash is involved, please be responsible of your waste and clean up after yourselves. Tie your trash bags properly and ensure it is properly placed so it won’t spill out. Animals have a good sense of smell and will rummage through improperly-disposed trash. Which is how you end up with a very nasty and foul garbage bin. If you see any litter by the street, do not hesitate to pick them up to your best effort. It takes one good person change the world. And the change starts with you! 2. Always keep rubbish bins close shut If you own an outdoor rubbish bin at your home or work, ensure that it has a lid and that it’s closed at all times. It should only be opened when you have trash to fill it. This will prevent the smell of the rubbish bin to attract scavenging animals. And if your bin is overflowed, quickly solve the problem and empty the bin immediately. It has to be kept closed at all times so animals can be deterred away and your rubbish won’t get scavenge. 3. Report of illegal dumping activity If you see any illegal dumping, take action and inform the relevant authorities. Illegal dumping grounds are dangerous to both the animals and people as it causes pollution and toxic waste. You can make a report to Jabatan Alam Sekitar (JAS) here or immediately call Selangor’s Waste Management for cases in Selangor. You can also report animal cruelty here and take action for the voiceless animals. 4. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle We often hear what the 3R’s are but how often do we practice it? The first step is to reduce your waste. Make a habit of bringing your own food containers during take out, or use bio-degradable packaging materials. Many restaurants are replacing plastic straws with paper but it’s better to use your own reusable straws. It’s more hygienic and you can personalise it yourself! When you want to send your trash to recycling centres (kudos to you!), make sure your trash is cleaned and packed neatly. Do no treat it like another rubbish bag. Ensuring that you dispose your trash properly helps with the recycling process and ensure that they are discarded the right way. Unfortunately, many recyclables end up in dumping grounds and continue harming strays and wildlife. Conclusion Littering kills animals. So, let’s take the first step and make the change. Stop littering, take action when you see other people who litter, and minimise our waste by reducing, reusing and recycling our trash. It’s good for us, the people, the animals, and the whole planet. SAFM sees littering as a very serious issue and condemn all action of littering.

Every dog needs a good grooming once a while. Especially for long-haired breeds and those who shed like Huskies, Samoyed, and even Goldies, dogs need regular grooming to prevent mats, skin problems, and pain. A professional pet groomer is a common place to give your dog a good bath, cleaning and grooming. However, dog grooming issues happen more often than you think. So here are 5 things to check with your pet groomer to ensure a happy, healthy, and beautiful doggo. 1. Behaviour at the Pet Groomer’s Many pet owners do not realise when their dogs feel anxious when going to the grooming salon. Some dogs do get dramatic and anxious at the groomer’s, but check that they are not too scared to the point of getting traumatised. Anxiety can get worst for the animal if it is not taken well care of. Train your dog since they’re pups to see the groomer as a happy place. Give them treats for every good behaviour, such as when they sit still or not barking at the groomer. This will help your dog to associate going to the groomer’s with nice things, thus helping it to calm down and be less anxious. A good pet groomer will also help a first-time visit more bearable with praises, encouragement and love. 2. Pet Salon’s Hygiene Condition Ensure that your pet is happy and healthy after coming back home from the grooming salon. Since there are other dogs at the grooming salon, the place can be contaminated if it’s not clean and well-kept. A good pet groomer has to make sure that their equipment is kept clean and disinfected after every grooming session. How does the pet saloon smells? Are the groomers wearing proper gear such as gloves, face mask, or aprons? These are some of the things you can check with a pet groomer to ensure proper grooming hygiene for your dog. 3. Be Cautious for Injuries It’s normal for your dog to move around while being groomed. As such, accidents are bound to happen especially for rowdy pups. A good pet groomer would anticipate any accidents before they happen. An experienced groomer can shave your dog with ease even when your pooch moves a lot. So, if you think your dog’s the type who can’t sit still while his nails are being trimmed, consider a more established groomer who can ensure your dog’s safety. Check your dog for any cuts or reddish marks to make sure they are not injured while grooming. An inexperienced groomer could cut your dog’s nail too deep or shave too close and cause painful bleeding. If this happens, call them right away or switch to a new groomer. You can also let your groomer know if you want your dog to be groomed purely for hygiene or request for any particular style  you want. Always check with your groomer if the style you want will be okay for your dog, since some ‘hairstyle’ might be uncomfortable for certain breeds. 4. Safety Measures at the Salon Does the pet salon has a procedure of when a dog is injured? Do they have a first aid kit? Can they help you when you come back with an injured dog with rashes and bruises? These are some things you can check to ensure that your groomer has proper safety measures in an event of an accident. Groomers need to make sure that proper precautions are taken to treat a wound should they accidentally hurt a dog. They should inform you immediately and take responsibility of the incident. 5. Choose a Suitable Dog Groomer Take the time to shop and browse for good pet groomers around your area. Ask your friends, other dog owners for recommendation or check online reviews. You can also go to the salon in person and observe how they’re treating clients there. Talk to the dog groomers and get some good rapport with them. It also helps if you know specifically what you need so they can deliver the exact thing to you. Ask them about what equipment will they use for your dog breed, the price range, suitable hair cuts, or other things. These are merely as a safety precaution and to put your mind at ease. Image courtesy of Benjamin Lehman, Pexels.com 6. Look for Alternatives, Like the Vet! Aside from treating illnesses and performing spay & neuter surgeries, the vet clinic is also a place to get your dog groomed. It is especially the best place if you only want your dog to be cleaned without the fancy styling. Vets can clean your dogs ears properly, trim their nails, untangle matting problems, give medications for skin problems and many more. Vets are trained and certified so you can rest assured your dog would be in the safest of hands.  Keep in mind that not all veterinary clinics offer grooming services, so check in with them before deciding. In Conclusion Trust your gut. If you truly care for your fur baby, you would know if a dog groomer is good for your pooch. Hopefully these tips can help minimise dog grooming issues and get yourself some peace of mind for every time you send you dog for some good grooming. Communicate with the groomer on your every concern, and take the time to browse for the best one in town. In the end, you’ll have yourself a healthy dog with silky smooth fur and a big smile.

Oh, no! Why won’t my dog eat his kibbles? As dog owners, there are many things you’re responsible of no matter which breed you own, such as getting him spayed. However, if you find your dog isn’t eating his food all of a sudden, but will gladly take treats or table scraps, something might be wrong. Most dogs will eat everything in sight. If your pup is generally a healthy dog who gobbles up his kibbles, but has suddenly lost his appetite, he could be experiencing some sort of illness. To find out exactly what that sickness may be, you will have to talk to your regular vet and have your dog examined. Of course, going to the vet would be the safest and best way to treat your dog. However, you can begin to understand what you may be dealing with if you notice any of the following signs: Sometimes, your pet might vomit, but this is not an indicator that something is seriously wrong. Dogs are notorious for eating too much too fast which is the common cause of vomiting. It may also be that he got a hold of something he wasn’t supposed to, like a plant or a bug. However if he is vomiting particularly frequent, you should take take him in to get checked out  especially if he refuses to eat his regular food afterward. One of the most telling signs of your dog’s health is their poop. Healthy poop is supposed to be solid, but not too hard. Diarrhea should not be a normal occurrence. If it has become more frequent, your poor little doggo could be feeling under the weather. So, please take note! No one wants to be super active when they don’t feel too well. Dogs are the same way! If your dog  is less active than normal and he also won’t eat, take him to get treated at the local vet. There are many reasons why your dog is suddenly not eating as much, such as these reasons here. but to help dogs with underlying disorders get back to eating, in addition to visiting your vet, here are some basic steps you can take: Feed your dog in a comfortable environment away from other pets, unfamiliar people, and distractions. Don’t leave food out all the time. If your dog is sick, this predisposes him to food aversion. Try   feeding a few times a day, and only leave the food out for 30 minutes. Have the dog’s preferred caretaker offer the food, as long as they aren’t too stressed themselves by the whole situation. If you think your dog might have a food aversion, try switching the flavor of food. Keep other flavors on hand, though, so that you have options if your dog refuses the new flavor or develops an aversion to that. In Conclusion If your dog is not eating and lose his appetite, try out these 4 tips to see if it helps. Nothing beats going to the vet, though so if your instinct tells you it might be something serious, it might be time to pay the doctor a visit. Better safe than sorry.

We share our little blue planet with millions of animal species whom for millions of years we’d relied on for food, transport, labour, clothes, and so much more. In this brave new world of internet and technology however, we seem to be forgetting how to treat animals with respect and gratitude. Sadly, we see so many cases of animal abuse and cruelty today. But we can take action, report animal cruelty and give justice back towards the voiceless animals. Animal cruelty is defined as the crime involving the infliction of pain, suffering, or death to an animal. Animal neglect can include withholding of food and water and shelter and that as a result the animal has in any way suffered, died, or been placed in imminent danger of death. In short, anything that is done to mistreat an animal and cause physical or mental trauma to the animal. Sometimes we wonder, why do animal cruelty happen a lot of time? We might think, people who engage in animal cruelty are monsters! Heartless creatures who don’t deserve a place in the world. Who could ever harm a living and gentle animal? Animal cruelty often goes unnoticed and not taken seriously in Malaysia. But think about it, if someone can be abusive or cruel to animals, then who’s to say that they could also become aggressive and violent towards fellow human beings? And in most cases, animal abusers also harms other humans. Example Animal Cruelty Cases in Malaysia In 2019, a single mother fed her dog 32 sewing needles. She was only fined RM 7,000 and spend ONE night in jail. In 2019, two men were caught on camera putting a cat into a clothes dryer at a self-service laundromat before turning on the machine, killing the pregnant feline. In 2020, another man caught putting three cats into a washing machine at another self-service laundromat and turning it on. All three cats died. A man sprayed red paint a caged monkey he caught from a tree. A parent laughed at her son for killing a rooster, recorded the murder on video and posted it on social media. Someone chopped off a kitten’s legs and left it to die! These are truly brutal cases of animal cruelty! No animal deserves to experience any abuse from any human being. Animal cruelty is a growing phenomenon that needs more awareness so that it is stopped immediately. How You Can Help to End the Violence Against the Voiceless Animal cruelty in this country is indeed a very disturbing problem. And it’s easy to feel powerless and disheartened listening to these heartless cases. But we can change this. We have to start with the man/woman in the mirror and be change we want to see. We have the power to bring awareness and justice to these voiceless creatures. How we can help ? First, we should be responsible pet owners and be attentive to our pets’ needs. If you have pets, they need more than just food, water, and adequate shelter. They need vaccination and get spayed or neutered. In addition to these basics, be sure to always show them the love and care they deserve. If you think your pet is sick, bring him to the veterinarian. Being a responsible pet owner goes a long way to help our animal friends living in a healthy and happy environment. Second, we can help to educate others about the importance of providing basic needs for all dogs and cats. We should use the power of social media to spread awareness on animal cruelty and abuse. Be your little activist and spread the word on proper pet care, spay & neuter, and what not to do to animals. A little good deed can go a long way! Lastly, you can be the key to the prevention of animal abuse  in your area.Yes, you can be the mover and shaker, the agent of change our country is desperately in need of! If you witness a cruelty crime against any animal; pet or wildlife, TAKE ACTION. Record the incident and gather strong evidence in forms of videos or photos and report animal cruelty. Call the hotline 013 706 6770 (Whatsapp Only) for Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia (SAFM) to help in reporting cruelty cases. Alternatively, you can file a report online here. Be the voice of the animals! Take action, spread the awareness and let’s stop animal cruelty.