Adversity brings out the best in our global community!
At the end of 2021, Malaysia was hit with torrential rains, resulting in floods that affected several states, including Selangor (adjacent to Kuala Lumpur), which had not experienced a disaster on this scale for many years. The floods affected more than 115,000 households.
Animal flood relief missions were carried out in two badly affected districts, Shah Alam and Hulu Langat, throughout the festive season and with teams coming together from WSAVA member the Malaysian Small Animal Veterinary Association; the Malaysian Veterinary Medical Association, the vet school at Universiti Putra Malaysia, and animal charity SPCA Selangor.
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More than 1,600 animals were treated by volunteer vets during these missions and in excess of 7 tons of pet food was distributed to 1,350 pet owners and caregivers, who fed a total of around 7,000 animals, mainly cats.
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Dr Natasha Lee, from SPCA Selangor and Chair of the WSAVA Animal Wellness and Welfare Committee, took part in the relief missions, as did WSAVA Secretariat member Jacinta Johnson.
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Dr Lee says: “The amount of damage in the flooded areas was heart-breaking, but it was positive to know that people were still caring for their animals, including the strays that live in their communities. It was also heartening to see veterinary professionals and the public coming together to help animals and their caregivers in a desperate situation.”
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