HKSPCA is there for our own SPCA to emulate ...
SPCA Malaysia, read carefully ... then read again ... slooooooooowly ...
from
http://www.spca.org.hk/eng/welfare/cdp.html and
http://www.spca.org.hk/eng/welfare/cdp2.html or below:
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HKSPCA website says ...
"We can all live in harmony with the dogs, please show these helpless creatures some kindness and patience".
Animal Birth Control Programmes
The HKSPCA supports the control of animal populations through animal control programmes
as the humane alternative to the traditional apporach of trapping and killing.
To this end the HKSPCA has developed an animal care and birth control programme called the Cat Colony Care Programme (CCCP). This has been in operation
since August 2000 and controls the population of street cats through surgical sterilisation as well as (with the help of volunteers)
providing basic care for cats unfortunate enough to be forced to live on the streets.
For such initiatives to be successful it is important for there to be community support.
Why is an Animal Birth Control Programme better than trapping and killing?
For years the traditional approach of trapping and killing has not worked in Hong Kong - we still have a stray/feral dog problem.
A stray (or feral) animal can only exist in the environment where there is an ecological niche. This means that the animal will only survive if there is food and water and it is accepted by other animals in that area. The reproduction of such animals and hence growth in population, is limited by natural stresses such as competition for food and space.
If an animal is removed from the ecological niche (as happens with the trapping and killing approach) a vacuum is created and will be filled in one of either two ways - a new animal migrates into the area or the existing ones reproduce at a higher rate. The majority of stray or feral dogs that are removed from an area are killed. They are normally not well-socialised and cannot be re-homed. Re-location is not a solution, in effect it just moves the problem from area to area and "warehousing" (the keeping of animals in cages with the freedom they are used to) is queationable in terms of animal welfare.
If the animals within the area are caught, neutered and returned (as occurs in an animal birth control programme) then the niche remains full. New animals are less likely to migrate in due to the natural territorial behaviour of the current residents
and the existing ones cannot reproduce further. The population should eventually stabilise and may even decrease slightly.
The added benefit for the animals under the birth control programme is that they have significantly imporved welfare thorugh an improved health status when not subjected to the stresses of reproduction as well as a result of other preventative medicines given at the time of the neutering. Such a programme is also important from a disease control purpose as vaccination against rabies is a key component of any such responsible programme.
It should be noted that to be successful an animal birth control programme also needs to address the issue of un-neutered traditionally owned dogs and cats as well as "community" dogs and cats (that is neuter them). If these animals continue to breed their offspring are likely to become the unwanted strays of tomorrow. Responsible pet ownership should also be promoted with the trend to abandon animals on the street actively discouraged.