(MY) Getting pet shops to fight bad image

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Friday, May 17, 2002 - The Star

 

Getting pet shops to fight bad image

 

Plans are afoot to set up the country's first association for pet shop owners

and to rid them of the image that they are involved in a " thriving trade of

cruelty. "

 

K-9 Pets shop owner Tan Teik Poh said he was prepared to spearhead this effort

to distinguish the serious breeders from " puppy manufacturers " who were

tarnishing the industry's reputation.

 

He said the association would prepare a code of ethics and guidelines approved

by the Veterinary Services Department as part of its efforts to uphold its

professionalism.

 

" The code may include aspects like vaccination, minimum size of cages,

guarantee letters from buyers that the animals would have a good home and

minimum age of dogs allowed for sale, " he said.

 

He was responding to reports citing a Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) survey that

many pet shops in major cities were keeping animals in crammed and unhygienic

conditions.

 

The report also claimed that pedigree dogs and cats were made to breed until

they reached the limit of their reproductive lives before they were disposed

of.

 

Tan, who is also Malaysian Kennel Association (MKA) incoming vice-president,

said the survey only reflected a small number of pet shop owners who were the

black sheep of the industry.

 

" One of their tactics is playing to the emotions of potential dog buyers

including displaying puppies on the shop window, " he said.

 

The more professional ones would probe on the background and specific needs of

the buyer before any sale, he said, adding that he had refused to sell a dog

when the prospective customer could not assure him that it would get a good

home.

 

" Genuine animal breeders are not concerned about mass production or monetary

gains but how to improve the breed, " he said, adding that MKA had about 3,000

members including dog breeders, show pet owners and ordinary pet owners.

 

He said operators keen on such an association could contact him at tel:

04-2288459.

 

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Penang branch) president Dr

Choong Sim Poey said he had not received any complaint of unscrupulous pet

shop owners.

 

However, he said the society was aware that some owners did not keep their pets

in ideal condition.