The KL Bar Young Lawyers Committee (KLYLC) in wanting to provide more avenues for legal eagles to give back to society, formed an Ad Hoc Animal Welfare Committee earlier this year and a visit to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) on
Lawyers who participated in this visit were soon smelling less than pleasant as the day began with assisting SPCA’s staffs with its routine activities. It was a touching sight as plenty of excitement was soon generated amongst the animals as the lawyers helped to clean the animal enclosures by changing newspapers and removing wastes, replacing bowls with fresh food and water, feeding, bathing and socialising with the animals. Some had never touched a dog before and some were squeamish about bathing the animals and cleaning their wastes but for the sake of charity and the genuine wish to help, most managed to overcome their hesitation and in the end enjoyed the visit. The Committee hopes this will encourage and inspire more people to be involved in the welfare of animals.
Many of those who could not make it for the visit donated items instead to the SPCA through calls for donations by the KL Bar. Items included necessities such as food and disinfectants, as well as clothes, household items, books, toys, etc. for the SPCA Jumble Sale and Charity Shoppe.
The staffs at SPCA encourage pet adoption from the Centre as they sometimes have to make a tough decision when the number of stray dogs and cats gets too big and the Centre has no choice but to put many of them down to make room for the growing number of strays. SPCA would like to dispel the myth that strays are less prestigious than animals bought from pet shops, as they are equally intelligent, loyal and loving creatures.
It was truly a fun and fulfilling day for many that came for the visit and the animals clearly warmed up quickly to the lawyers as they showed playfulness which lead to many humourous incidents. Nicole Ong, co-chair of the Ad Hoc Animal Welfare Committee reminded all that one of the most important thing in such future visits is to dress appropriately, preferably comfy but fitting outfits so as not to cause a distraction to both humans and animals.
The visit was reported in the Chinese Presses of Sin Chew Jit Poh and Guangming Daily, as well as The Star and News Straits Times. The KLYLC hopes to continue its efforts to raise awareness on animal welfare and to encourage more lawyers to be part of its animal welfare program.
Contributed by Melissa Sasidaran.
Photos courtesy of Melissa Sasidaran and Seira Sacha Abu Bakar.