Cheers! Finally the long awaited Animal Welfare Bill 2015 has been passed in Parliament to provide legal protection and safeguards to our animals. Going by the many comments in the social media the public especially animal lovers are happy and relieved to learn of the good news.

Kudus to the government for keeping its promises and a big thank you to all the MPs who gave their overwhelming support for the passing of the bill. The Bill will be gazetted as law once it is passed in the Dewan Negara and given the royal  assent.

Once the royal assent is given its time to organise road shows and campaigns to create public awareness on the new Animal Welfare Act 2015.This is where animal welfare organisations and animal lovers  can play their part in joining hands with the authorities in carrying out campaigns to create public awareness on the new Animal Welfare Act.

We should use all the available public communicating channels - radio, TV, newspapers social media, etc to reach out to the people. When the public is well informed of the Bill/Act we have won half the battle against animal abuse and cruelty. The media should continue with its good work in highlighting animal associated issues with a special focus on the newly-introduced Animal Welfare Bill.

We cannot depend entirely on the new Animal Welfare Bill/Act to prevent animal abuse and cruelties in the country. There is a need for a well-organised animal welfare education programme for the public, especially for pet owners.  

We should consider setting up animal education centres (AEC) to provide free animal welfare education, hands-on clinics in animal handling and rehabilitation like what is practiced in Europe. These AECs should be open to the general public with fun-filled programmes organised to attract children, youths and others.

The AECs can also play a role in providing training for law enforcement officers and for the rehabilitation of animal criminals ( educating these animal convicts  how to properly care for  animals) if it is mandated by the courts. Ideally theses AECs should be operated by reputable animal welfare organisations with the support and cooperation of the relevant authorities. There are many other advantages and benefits in setting up AECs of this nature.

Alternatively, the authorities should consider introducing ‘animal welfare and care’ as a subject matter   in our primary and secondary school curriculums. Universities, too, should look into offering animal welfare as an elective subjects for their undergraduates.