THE rising cost of goods and inflation have impacted pet owners, animal activists and animal shelter operators, who are now finding it hard to provide for these animals with their limited purchasing power.
They are seeking government aid to ease their burden in taking care of their pets and strays.
They said the government should uphold the “respect and compassion value” as espoused in the Madani concept, even for the voiceless.
The Stray Animal Foundation Malaysian said that cost of pet care was becoming a heavy burden for pet owners, and what more for pet activists.
Its president Kalaivanan Ravichandran said expenses for pets, including veterinary care, are costing huge amounts these days.
“Animals are just not pets but for many individuals, they are part of the family.
“To ensure the health and well-being of these animals, owners often face a huge financial burden. The cost of veterinary care and medicines, which sometimes reaches thousands of ringgit, is a big challenge.
“Apart from individual pet owners, many animal caretakers, especially at animal shelters, work hard without expecting much in return. They rely on voluntary donations to ensure the survival of the animals they care for.
“Every month, funds are needed for the cost of vaccinations, deworming and flea medication, as well as treatment for wounds and complex diseases such as parvovirus, cerebellar hypoplasia, and feline immunodeficiency virus, among others,” the 35-year-old told The Malaysian Insight.
Considering the financial burden, Kalaivanan said it may be time for the government to step in and consider either providing a subsidy or financial aid to animal caretakers.
He said this would not only ease the financial burden but also recognise the vital role of animal activists and caretakers in ensuring the well-being of animals.
“One of the areas that can be given attention is to subsidise the spaying and neutering cost for animals.
“Spaying and neutering is not only important to control the stray animal population but also has a long-term positive impact in reducing unwanted animal disposal problems and controlling animal nuisance cases.
“This initiative does not only help individual animals but also supports the goal of conservation and sustainability of natural resources,” he said.
Kalaivanan said that by providing support to animal caretakers or shelters through subsidies and grants, the government can then ensure that the collective responsibility for animal welfare continues effectively.
“This is an important step in fostering a society that is more concerned about animals and their needs,” he said.
A check with a veterinarian shows that neutering a male dog can cost about RM180 to RM300, while neutering male cats can cost about RM120 to RM180.
Meanwhile, spaying a female dog can cost around RM200 to RM400, and spaying a female cat can cost from RM150 to RM250.
The prices also may vary depending on the number of days the pet has to be boarded at the clinic and also the medications prescribed.
Tax relief
Meanwhile, several pet owners called on the government to consider including tax relief in the next federal budget.
They said the amount spent on their pets on a monthly basis is relatively high.
S. Revati said she spends close to RM200 on a monthly basis for her adopted pet cat, which includes dry food, litter and treats.
She said that was just the basic monthly expenses, which excludes veterinary care and treatments.
“The previous time I had to take my cat for dental care and it cost me RM700. This is a big one-off payment that has to be done, which I can’t avoid.
“The insurance for pets is quite pricey and they have strict terms, which my cat does not qualify for as she has a pre-existing condition. Hence, I have to use my own,” the 34-year-old said, adding that she also needs to get other medications for the feline’s underlying condition.
On average, basic pet insurance in Malaysia starts from anything above RM40, depending on the type of pet, breed, size and age – important factors when tabulating the cost.
Revati, who lives in Kuala Lumpur, said her cat, Ninja, is her only companion, given that she is unmarried and that her parents have passed on.
She called on the government to consider giving tax relief to pet owners, starting with cats and dogs.
“Annually, I spend close to RM3,000 or more but I can’t claim or do anything. This is a huge sum of money and if the government could consider giving some tax relief, it would encourage more pet owners to give better care to their pets,” she said.
Another pet owner, Dr Abby, who has four medium-sized dogs under her care, said she spends close to RM600 monthly for them.
Besides food, she said that their monthly supplements also can cost a lot.
“I have to give hypoallergenic food for all my dogs as they are quite sensitive to other food, and besides that, I have to give them the tick and flea prevention supplement as well as the heartworm prevention supplements.
“As I have four, I have to see and care for all of them equally,” the mother of one said.
Abby, who rescued a pregnant female dog which gave birth to seven puppies during the Covid-19 period, said she was only able to find home for four new puppies, while she had no choice but to keep the remaining three, including the mother dog, as there were no takers.
She is still able to foot the bill for her four dogs but claimed that she would appreciate if the government could offer some relief when tabling the next budget.
“The expenses most pet owners speak about mostly are about the basic care like food, maintenance, etc.
“What they don’t speak about is the veterinary cost, something which they can’t even predict.
“There is annual vaccination that has to be done, then licensing for dogs, grooming and then the unexpected veterinary cost, which could cost thousands. It is like taking care of another child,” she said.
Abby estimates spending more than RM6,000 annually for her pet dogs, excluding veterinary expenses like neutering, spaying and other medical treatments, and the boarding fee at pet hotels whenever needed.
Meanwhile, Mohd Amir Abdullah, who has two cats, said he spends close to RM300 monthly for both his cats.
He also agreed with the call for tax relief for pet owners.
“Maybe the government could start by giving some relief to cat and dog owners, as the expenses we have to bear are a lot.
“Later on, when they have a better and consolidated policy, then they can include other animals like parrots, exotic animals and others,” said the 28-year-old, who works as an IT professional.
Amir said that pets are part of family these days for most, and urged the government to seriously consider providing some relief to pet owners.
“This relief will also make the owners take better care and provide better for their pets, rather than just letting them loiter and allowing them to breed.
“This should be a whole-of-government and a whole-of-society approach to better care for our pets,” he said.
If the government could extend the tax relief for purchase of sports equipment and activities, Amir said then the government should not have any issues in giving such relief to pet owners.
Earlier this year, Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said a total of 103 types of sports will enjoy tax relief of up to RM1,000 for training and purchase of equipment from next year.
She said these sports – such as swimming, motorsports, equestrian, taekwondo and esports – are gazetted under the First Schedule of the Sports Development Act 1997 (Act 576).
The tax relief for these sports training sessions, up to RM1,000 from next year, can be claimed by an individual, husband, wife or children, she said. – June 28, 2024.
