Latest news with #Trap-Neuter-Release-Manage
The Sun
05-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
Stop the round-up of TNRM dogs
I AM writing to urge the Petaling Jaya City Council and other municipal councils across Malaysia to halt the practice of capturing stray dogs that are already being cared for under the Trap-Neuter-Release-Manage (TNRM) programme in Petaling Jaya and beyond. This approach is not only ineffective but is also disheartening for many local rescuers and caregivers who have devoted their time, energy and personal resources to building a more compassionate and sustainable environment for people and animals. These dogs are not random strays or nuisances – they are part of our neighbourhoods. Many residents know them by name, feed them and have formed bonds, not only with each other but with the community at large. When Petaling Jaya City Council captures these dogs, it is not just about removing animals from the streets, it is about removing their trusted presence that communities have grown to love and protect. Under the TNRM model, dogs are trapped humanely, sterilised, vaccinated and released back into their 'home' areas where they pose little threat to public safety. Scientific evidence and global experience show that TNRM helps stabilise and gradually reduce stray populations. Yet, when neutered dogs are caught and removed, it destroys that balance and invites the 'vacuum effect' where new unsterilised dogs migrate into the area, restarting the cycle of unchecked breeding and overpopulation. Rescuers and NGOs in Petaling Jaya are not idle onlookers. These individuals have full-time jobs yet still dedicate their evenings, weekends and savings to care for these animals. When City Council removes sterilised dogs, it invalidates months and sometimes years of effort. Every removed dog equals wasted TNRM funding and vanishing trust in local governance. The emotional toll is immeasurable – rescuers grieve for the dogs they see taken, often without transparency on their fates. Moreover, redirecting dogs to shelters such as PAWS, while well-intentioned, is not a sustainable solution. These facilities are stretched far beyond capacity. Many animals remain confined for years or are euthanised due to space limitations. This should not be the default answer to managing free-roaming dogs. Instead, we urge all city councils to recognise the TNRM community as allies. By working in partnership, city councils can formalise cooperation frameworks with registered NGOs, offer municipal support for neutering campaigns and maintain a database of microchipped or tagged TNRM dogs to prevent mistaken captures. Educational outreach programmes and public awareness campaigns can also help dispel myths about strays and promote responsible pet ownership. The continued capture of TNRM-managed dogs is not only counterproductive and inhumane, it also jeopardises the soul of a community striving towards compassion and coexistence. Let us not cast aside the volunteers who are offering real solutions. We urge the Petaling Jaya City Council to act in solidarity with these efforts and lead Petaling Jaya towards an ethical and effective model of animal management. David C.E. Tneh Petaling Jaya
The Star
21-06-2025
- Health
- The Star
Ipoh SPCA protests govt circular rejecting long-standing TNRM initiatives to manage strays
IPOH: The Ipoh branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) urges the government to reconsider its decision to reject the long-standing Trap-Neuter-Release-Manage (TNRM) programme to curb the population of stray dogs. 'Without more proactive government involvement, it will be difficult to resolve the stray animal issue,' said ISPCA president Ricky Soong, calling on the government to work more collaboratively with civil society stakeholders. Soong said the letter issued early this month by the Housing and Local Government Ministry labels stray animals as sources of environmental pollution and disease transmission vectors, as well as dismissing TNRM as ineffective. Soong said the directive has sparked concern among non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that have worked for years to manage the stray animal population through the neutering and tracking system. 'This single letter puts a decade of hard work at risk. 'In the letter it clearly states that the government rejects TNRM, and upholds the 'No Stray Policy' by hoping to improve the 'Trap-Reclaim-Adopt-Dispose' approach in order to balance animal welfare and public safety,' he said, adding that ISPCA has been at the forefront of TNRM initiatives. Soong said between 2017 and 2023, ISPCA collaborated with 20 veterinarians to neuter over 10,000 stray dogs in Ipoh, a move that significantly curbed population growth in key urban areas. 'TNRM works by stabilising the stray population in specific territories. 'Once neutered, these dogs stop reproducing, and our volunteers can continue monitoring them. It creates a sustainable cycle. 'Malaysia's model is similar to efforts taken in countries such as Turkey and Thailand, where TNRM is internationally recognised as a humane and effective method of stray animal control. 'The programme often includes microchipping, allowing for better tracking of both animals and owners,' he added. Soong said the real problem is abandonment, and if microchipping were made mandatory, owners could be traced and held accountable. 'That's how you solve the root cause. Soong said that with shelters facing overcrowding and dwindling resources, they fear that removing TNRM from the equation could lead to a rise in culling. He questioned the government's so-called 'No Stray Policy,' asking whether it meant genuine humane solutions or simply mass culling and forced displacement. 'Do these animals not deserve a second chance. The least we can do is allow them the dignity to live,' he said.
