KOTA KINABALU: Animals have been victims to Covid-19 pandemic,too.

Kapayan assemblyman Jannie Lasimbang said due to the Movement Control Order, many abandoned dogs and cats were either have shelter nor food. She added animal abuse cases still exist.

“During the Sabah Assembly sitting last December, I have asked the Local Government and Housing minister about short- and long-term actions towards abandoned cats and dogs roaming around city centres and the cooperation with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that have carried out TNR (Trap, Neuter and Release) activities for abandoned animals.

“The reply I received was that the local authorities will conduct catch operation of abandoned cats and dogs roaming the streets and the operation are based on scheduled routines and complaints received from the public,” she said in a statement.

On the cooperation by the local authorities with NGOs to carry out TNR activities, local authorities will hand over the abandoned animals they have caught to NGOs in their respective districts.

“Additionally, to accommodate an increasing number of abandoned cats and dogs, the Ministry is planning a framework to prepare a poun in the Penampang district through the cooperation between the Penampang District Council and NGOs” Jannie said.

“Since the economy is currently unstable, I urge the government to also initiate a programme with NGOs to give out food for pet animals at their home for those who cannot afford it. Temporary shelters for abandoned animals should also be considered.

I also urge the government to start a fund for TNR activities to humanely care for the well-being, and to control stray population and unwanted pet pregnancies, in view of the increasing number of strays and abandoned animals in Sabah