FWD: Johor to prevent stray cats from being smuggled in

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http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2003/5/31/nation/jbcats & sec=nation

 

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Saturday, May 31, 2003

Johor to prevent stray cats from being smuggled in

BY NORULHUDA OTHMAN

 

JOHOR BARU: Johor will beef up its Customs checks at the Causeway and Second

Link to prevent stray cats from being smuggled into the state from Singapore.

 

 

The move followed a reported plan by animal lovers in the republic to rescue

some 2,000 cats after Singapore & #8217;s agri-food and veterinary authority

intensified the culling of strays, with up to 45 cats being put down daily since

May 25.

 

The exercise, triggered by the spread of SARS in the republic, involved stray

cats found near foodcourts.

 

The move had angered animal lovers on the island, who said they would mount a

campaign to save the cats by rounding them up and sending them to Johor.

 

The Veterinary Services Department here has since said that it would be “more

vigilant” about allowing these cats to enter Malaysia, to safeguard public

interest.

 

State Customs director Sarmin Hussin said his department would be stringent in

ensuring that no stray cats entered the country without prior approval from

veterinary services.

 

It was his department & #8217;s procedure to check with veterinary services

before allowing any animal to enter the country, he said in an interview here.

 

“People who bring in any animal must adhere to strict regulations from that

department and we (Customs) will only allow these animals to enter the country

if the veterinary services gives the go-ahead,” he said.

 

Veterinary Services Department health unit chief Dr Zul Edham Wagiman said it

would have to be more careful in issuing permits for the importation of stray

cats, as these animals do not have any health records and might pose a risk to

the public.

 

He, however, denied reports that the department would not allow stray cats from

Singapore to enter the country.

 

 

 

“Being stray cats, they will not have complete medical records. We must be more

vigilant in allowing these cats to enter the country as we also have to protect

the interest of the public and local animals.

 

“Since we know they are culling cats in Singapore, it would be natural to be

extra vigilant.”

 

 

 

Dr Zul Edham said those who want to bring pets or animals into Malaysia would

have to ensure that the animals have a health certificate and a valid and

authorised vaccination record, adding that such a procedure was practised

internationally.

 

He said another concern was that the cats might not be really free of

infections before they enter they country as many viruses have an incubation

period.

 

 

 

Responding to the plan by Singapore cat lovers to send them to the Noah & #8217;s

Arc Lodge, an animal shelter in Ulu Choh near here, Dr Zul Edham said: “We have

not received any application for this. If, and when we do, the department will

review it thoroughly before approving or rejecting it.”

 

He said whichever facility the stray cats might be transferred to in Malaysia,

it must meet the department & #8217;s requirements.

 

Owner and founder of Noah & #8217;s Ark Lodge Raymond Wee said he would not allow

any stray cat from Singapore to be transferred to his shelter without the

necessary health certificate and vaccination record.

 

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