James Kon
After noticing a rise in stray animals being dumped irresponsibly in remote areas of forest, uninhabited rural areas, and beaches, PawsUp, a zero-stray advocacy group in the country, run by a team of youth, has come up with a solution of introducing a sheltering programme that provides a sustainable and humane alternative service.
PawsUp founder Jay Lau shared in an interview that the rising demand for a quick fix has brought about the practice of ‘out of sight, out of mind’ solutions.
“However, there is more than meets the eye in opting to relocate our stray dogs and cats. It creates fatal outcomes for homeless animals and brings about the potential additional danger of a rabies outbreak for the public.
“Unvaccinated stray dogs and cats being moved to the wilderness present a prospect of inevitable contact with wildlife in a faint and hopeless search for food. This could lead to a rabies outbreak. The most common wild reservoirs of rabies are raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes.”
Compelled by the need to counter the certain drawbacks and potentially severe consequences of improper stray relocation, he said, “The 15-year sheltering programme is being established. It is indeed a long time – the average maximum lifespan of the stray.
Undoubtedly, it comes with many expected challenges.
“Still, it presents itself well as a long-term and sustainable solution for both society and the innocent stray animals, which are also a part of our society and our world.”
He revealed that PawsUp currently rents 0.8 acres of land in Jalan Tutong for the programme. The areas that have been renovated with shelter and fencing can house around 400 dogs and cats.
Since the service’s inception, PawsUp has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the public, he said.
PawsUp officially launched its stray advocacy and zero-stray mission over a year ago.
They have spayed and neutered over 2,600 stray cats and dogs. In addition, the team has saved, fostered, and rehomed countless strays as well as organised adoption and fund-raising campaigns.
PawsUp is seeking the public’s support in their cause in saving stray animals and achieving the goal of being a zero-stray nation.
Lau said, “We firmly believe that working with the local community is the only way to achieve our goals and embody the motto, Brunei Loves Strays.
