MY - A friend to abused and abandoned animals

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Wednesday July 27, 2005 - The Star

 

 

A friend to abused and abandoned animals

 

By JAYAGANDI JAYARAJ

Photo by KEVIN TAN

 

Every time a dog at the SPCA is adopted and leaves the shelter for good,

animal inspector Sabrina Yeap cannot help but get emotional. Though she does

not cry openly, Yeap admits that each parting brings tears to her eyes.

 

“It is always a very emotional moment for me when a dog takes a final look

at me from the car window as its new owner drives away. I know the animal

will be fine in its new home, but the sense of attachment to the animal tugs

at me,” said Yeap, who works for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty

to Animals (SPCA) in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.

 

The petite woman, whose eyes and gestures speak volumes for her love for

animals, has been with the shelter for 12 years, four of them as an animal

inspector.

 

Her background in pharmacology and previous experience as a veterinary

assistant stand her in good stead in her daily job of dealing with abandoned

and abused animals such as dogs and cats.

 

 

Yeap with some of the healthy dogs that are up for adoption at the shelter.

Yeap's cases start with a distress call from a concerned neighbour or

informant to the SPCA office.

 

After the complaint is recorded, she studies the description of the abuse

and calls the complainant for more details before paying a site visit,

unannounced to the owner.

 

She takes photos of the physical condition of the animal as well as its

living conditions.

 

If there is physical injury to the animal, the Veterinary Department is

immediately informed for action to be taken within 48 hours.

 

Then she confronts the owner about the condition of the pet or pets.

 

“This is the most testing time. Normally, they deny any abuse and are very

unfriendly and defensive,” said Yeap.

 

Many a time, Yeap has been threatened with physical harm by the owners.

 

“Some men with a background of gangsterism have threatened my safety, while

others threatened to report me to the police for trespassing on their

property when they had willingly opened their gates for me.

 

“The ladies usually slam the door and shout abuse. Some just tear the animal

cruelty leaflets that I had given them right in front of me,” added Yeap.

 

Encountering rude people is part of the job and Yeap comes out the better

for each encounter.

 

For her, reaching out to people means getting access to the animals.

 

“Through my experience over the years, I have learnt to approach difficult

owners in a different way. Instead of saying that I am visiting due to a

complaint, I take a friendlier approach.

 

“It is important for me to connect to the people because that enables me to

reach the animals and save them,” she said, adding that it was even more

difficult to get the message across to illiterate people.

 

In such cases, Yeap immediately lodges a report with the Veterinary

Department for further action to be taken.

 

After formalities at the Veterinary Department, the animals are usually

handed over to the SPCA though some are put up for adoption at the

department.

 

While the animals are in the shelter, Yeap has daily interaction sessions

with them to study their behaviour.

 

“It's important to know their behaviour because some of them have had

traumatic experiences. Knowledge of their behavioural patterns is also

important in order to match them to the needs of prospective new owners,”

Yeap explained.

 

It is during this time that Yeap develops a bond with the animals.

 

Yeap's love for animals is not confined to her work. She has adopted five

dogs and two cats from the shelter.

 

“For me, the happiest part of the job is seeing the animals safe and happy

again with their new owners.

 

“Of course, there is always a tinge of sadness in parting but it is for a

good reason,” she said, her face breaking into a smile as she added that she

would visit the animals once in a while during Happy Home Inspections.

 

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