A public announcement:
The Students' Society of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (VETERNAK) and Zoologico Club, University Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, are proud to inform that the annual DOGATHON™ is here once again for the 15th time. The particulars of DOGATHON™ 2011 are as follows:
Date : 2nd October 2011 (Sunday)
Time : 7.00am to 2.00pm
Venue : Bukit Ekspo, UPM
Theme: DOGGIES IN WONDERLAND
“Woofing, Wagging and We’re off to the Whimsical Wonderland!”
This event is held mainly to raise funds to be channeled to the welfare project called “Pro-Kasih”; which is a student run organization that aims to achieve control of the population of stray animals and to raise awareness to the public about our collective responsibility for these neglected animals. Besides raising funds, the event also aims to promote exposure to all breeds of dogs and their owners as well as being a platform for owners and their dogs to enjoy a fun filled day of games and other activities.
Last year, DOGATHON™ 2010 with our ancient Egyptian theme was a huge success! With 1111 dogs and 888 registered owners, it was a very ‘auspicious’ year for us, and we once again renewed our record for “The Largest Gathering of Canines” endorsed by THE MALAYSIA BOOK OF RECORDS.
This year, we hope to make it even bigger, better and more enjoyable for owners and their four-legged friends!
About Pro-Kasih:
What is Pro-Kasih?
The PRO-KASIH program was initiated by veterinary students with the goals of improving the welfare of free-roaming/stray cats and dogs. The program has small beginnings with the focus on the strays within the University but hopes to expand in future to include more areas in the vicinity.
Who is involved?
The veterinary students and veterinary student clubs (VETERNAK and Zoologico Club), with supervision from Faculty staff, and assistance from the UPM veterinary alumni fraternity.
What is the plan?
The program comprises a three-pronged plan, which will be executed by the concerted efforts of students, staff of the Faculty and the Veterinary Alumni.
The first prong
The students will play an active role in creating awareness/educating/informing the public on how they can help towards keeping population of this group of animals in check and improving the welfare of those in their community. This is done through talks, questionnaires, and information booths set up at exhibitions.
The second prong
To help keep the population in check, there is a need to know how many strays there are so that effective measures can be taken to reduce the populations. The students play a role in surveying the strays such as collecting information on numbers, their condition, where they are in larger numbers, what time to the day they are visible. Such information from repeated and timely surveys will be needed to effectively monitor the success of the program.
The third prong
The sterilization of strays by professionals under a ‘catch-neuter and release when they are deemed well', will help in reducing their numbers in future. The catch-neuter-release program aims not only to reduce the number of strays suffering in the streets by neutering existing strays and releasing them. With the help of the community, these animals will be able to live out their natural lives.
However, when it comes to sterilisation programs, realistically, the number of surgical sterilizations required to have an impact on the population is far greater than can be achieved for now, due to the sheer numbers or strays we have, and the propensity for strays to reproduce.
However, with the increased awareness of public as to how they can play a more responsible role in ensuring that their own pets are well cared for and how important it is that indiscriminate or careless accidental breeding doesn't occur ie. having their own pets sterilized, so that there aren't additions to strays, it will be easier.
Aims of neutering strays are to:
1. reduce the number of stray animals by preventing more breeding
2. prevent re-colonisation by other unneutered strays because returning these strays (after neutering) to their original environment will place a population pressure that prevents new strays from coming into the area
3. Reduce the stress of unwanted pregnancies and reduce transmission of diseases as these animals will not only be neutered but will also be vaccinated.
4. Indirectly reduce the nuisance caused by strays
What has been done so far? And how will the contributions be used?
2006
The project started as a pioneer project on 2006 which was held on Tun Perak College, UPM. The project brings in 4 phases;
• Campaign, educational booth and talk for the college residence
• Stray animal enumeration,
• Catch, neuter and release of the strays
• Regular check-ups and surveys of the neutered animals
2007
Following success of the pioneer project, the program was carried on for the second term in 2007 where this time, it was held in Tun Dr. Ismail College, Fifth College and Sixth College, UPM.
2008
Similar work was organised in the year 2008, with increasing numbers of cats sterilized this time. We also set up a booth in Jaya Jusco Equine to educate the public and to promote the awareness on the issues of stray animals. An educational programme was also held at the nearby Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sri Serdang.
2009
Awareness programs were organised in 2009 which aimed to improve the status of strays in campus and focus on promoting Pro-Kasih. Informative booklets on stray issues were published. The awareness programs, enumeration, educational and sterilization efforts were a great start in ensuring that Prokasih first- pronged plan was put into effect.
2010
In the year 2010, Prokasih continued to focus more actively on reaching out to the public. A school education at SMK Jalan 4, Bandar Baru Bangi was held on 7th July 2010 in collaboration with Prokasih. The aim of the event was to create awareness amongst young people about responsible pet ownership, the concept of neutering and stray issues. An interactive discussion was carried out between veterinary students and Prokasih.. Enumeration of cats at Colleges 17, 11 and 10 were carried out with the concerted efforts of Prokasih committee members and the volunteers. Catch, neuter and release of cats was carried out in College 17 as Prokasih hopes to make College 17 a shining example of successful stray control.
2011
This year, Prokasih continues to organize educational events. In January, ‘Minggu Mesra Haiwan’ was organized at College17 in collaboration with the management of the college. A positive feedback was received by Prokasih and the management looks forward to holding more of such collaborated events with Prokasih in the coming years. Promotion of Prokasih activities amongst junior veterinary students was carried out to foster active participation of the juniors as this is crucial for ensuring continuity of our Prokasih efforts. In April, a school education program will be held at SMK Sri Puteri, Cyberjaya. Enumeration at College 17 will be organised throughout this year to study the patterns of strays populations at College 17 and to evaluate effectiveness of our program.
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Thank you.
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