By: Noor Eszereen Juferi
Photo by: Saleha Haron
HULU LANGAT, Jan 1 – The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FPV), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), in collaboration with the Malaysian Veterinary Medical Association (MAVMA), the Malaysian Small Animal Veterinary Association (MSAVA), and the Department of Veterinary Services Selangor have held the mobile veterinary clinic: emergency and medical mission for flood-affected animals in Taman Sri Nanding, Hulu Langat, Selangor.
The two-day mission started from January 1 to 2, 2022 (Saturday and Sunday) and operated from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm while located in front of Petronas Bukit Nanding, Hulu Langat, Selangor.
Previously, the mobile veterinary clinic went to Taman Sri Muda, Shah Alam, from December 21 to 27, 2021.
Deputy Dean, University Veterinary Hospital (UVH), Prof. Dr. Jalila Abu, said the effort could help the animals get attention and receive veterinary treatment so that they would be healthy and protected.
"In such event of a flood disaster, animals such as cats and other species are usually affected, and during this post-flood event, we received information that there are animals that are affected and took time to recover."
"We will analyse in terms of animal psychology, and we will help in our veterinary hospital with facilities if the services such as consultation for chronic cases are needed," she said.
She added that the programme could directly train students of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FPV), UPM, to gain experience and lifelong learning for their use when they graduate in future.
"We want to cultivate the spirit of volunteerism among students and veterinarians to continue the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme so that we can help those who require such services in the future," she said.
In addition, the idea of the mobile veterinary clinic was led by Dr. Farina Mustaffa Kamal and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nurul Hayah Khairuddin from FPV, UPM.
These animal treatment services were free and supported by veterinarians from various agencies and clinics. The public could bring any of their own animals or stray animals affected by the flood disaster to this mobile veterinary clinic.
Additionally, animals such as cats and dogs and other animal species will be examined and given first-line treatment by licensed veterinarians.
Apart from the centralised veterinary team stationed at this location, several veterinary teams will move from houses to houses with the support of volunteers from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA Selangor), Persatuan Penyelamat Anjing Terbiar Hulu Langat (PATH), and the Stray Animal Feeders of Malaysia (SAFM).
Donations of animal feed and medical equipment were donated from various agencies and companies such as Yayasan Hasanah, Rhone Ma, KM Vet Pharm, Hill’s, University Veterinary Hospital (UPM), private veterinary clinics, and other partners.
Apart from that, UPM also established the UPM Animal Welfare Fund, which is an initiative by UVH, FPV, UPM and the Centre for Management of Waqf, Zakat and Endowment (WAZAN), UPM, intending to take care of the welfare as well as to pay for the medical costs of animals in need. Contributions to the UPM Animal Welfare Fund can be made through the link: https://bit.ly/UPManimalwelfarefund - UPM
