Latest news with #StrayAnimalManagementCampaign2025
The Star
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Animal lover finds new best friend at MBJB event
Paws in need: Haffiz (fifth from left) looking at dogs for adoption during the event in Plentong, Johor Baru; where Chua adopted a new dog. JOHOR BARU: Three years after losing his two beloved dogs Stripe and Lucky, Chua Kah Lun has opened his heart to a new pet. The 36-year-old said the two canines had been with him for over a decade and passed away just months apart, at the age of 13 and 14 respectively. 'Their absence left a void in our lives. Stripe and Lucky were not just my companions, they were a part of my parents' lives too. 'Our house felt unbearably quiet after they passed away. Taking in a new dog would ease our longing,' he said when met at a stray dog adoption programme organised by the Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) in Plentong on Sunday. 'Strays deserve to be loved too. They need a family to care for them and provide them a safe place to live,' said Chua, who also has two cats and is fostering three others at a rescue shelter. At the event, he met the 20 dogs up for adoption, carefully interacting with each of them. His eyes fell on a calm-looking black dog. 'This cute little fellow will be my new friend. It reminds me of Lucky and Stripe, who were also gentle and affectionate,' he said. Chua Kah Lun Chua said the adoption, which includes vaccination and neutering, is free. The event also featured a Most Beautiful Dog contest, where six canines competed for the title. Housewife Sylvia Kusuma beamed with pride when her eight-year-old English bulldog, named Chocolate, won third place in the contest. Despite its stocky build and serious expression, Chocolate charmed the judges with its laid-back and comical personality. 'I have had Chocolate since he was a puppy. We have been together for eight years. 'He is very lazy and sleeps most of the time. The time he becomes active is during meals,' said the 35-year-old. MBJB mayor Datuk Mohd Haffiz Ahmad said stray dog issues remain a major concern among city dwellers. He said as of June, the council had captured 2,034 stray dogs. He revealed that the Housing and Local Government Ministry had allocated RM10,000 for the Stray Animal Management Campaign 2025, which includes public awareness programmes, licensing advocacy and adoption opportunities. Mohd Haffiz said capturing stray dogs and putting them up for adoption could help prevent diseases like rabies, leptospirosis and salmonella from spreading. He said the council had neutered 850 strays in four phases since last year.
The Star
20-07-2025
- General
- The Star
Stray dog issues continue to concern Johor Baru residents
JOHOR BARU: Stray dog issues remain a major concern among city residents, with 2,034 strays captured by the end of June this year, according to the Johor Baru City Council (MBJB). Mayor Datuk Mohd Hafiz Ahmad said the council captured a total of 3,014 stray dogs in its jurisdiction last year. "As of June this year, 219 complaints about stray dogs were received, compared to 650 complaints for the whole of last year. "The Housing and Local Government Ministry has allocated RM10,000 for the Stray Animal Management Campaign 2025 to prevent dog-related issues from becoming a public health concern," he said when launching the programme in Plentong on Sunday (July 20). He said this year's campaign, themed 'Anjing Terbela, Komuniti Bahagia', includes awareness programmes for owners and local communities, licensing advocacy, and opportunities for pet adoption. "This approach promotes more sustainable stray dog management without compromising animal welfare, public peace, or community safety. "Campaigns like this are crucial in preventing diseases such as rabies, leptospirosis, salmonella, and others from spreading," he added. Mohd Hafiz said the campaign builds on the city council's large-scale stray dog neutering programme, carried out over four sessions in collaboration with Iskandar Social Hero and Vet Partners Malaysia. He said a total of 850 stray dogs were neutered in four phases, including 200 strays in October last year, followed by 165 in January this year, 264 in April, and 221 dogs on July 8 and 9. He added that the campaign aims to help the public, non-governmental organisations, and stakeholders better understand the importance of sustainable stray dog population control. "This, in turn, will reduce the risk of unwanted incidents resulting from uncontrolled stray populations," he said.
