Tengku Permaisuri Selangor calls for stronger media campaigns on animal welfare

 

The Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, holding a cat after a roundtable discussion on animal welfare at IIUM today. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

The Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, has called on the media to intensify campaigns on animal welfare through social media platforms, television, radio and newspapers to increase public awareness and address animal neglect and abuse effectively.

Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin said promoting animal welfare is a shared responsibility that transcends race, age, and religion, requiring the active participation of all parties, Bernama reported.

She said every life is valuable, and the way a society treats its animals reflects its maturity and compassion.

“Besides this, the government’s contribution in allocating funds specifically for animal welfare is also crucial, as seen in Turkey, in major cities like Istanbul and Ankara, and in other Western countries, where the issue of animal welfare is actively debated in their parliaments,” she was quoted as saying.

She made these remarks during a roundtable discussion on animal awareness, management, and sustainability in higher education institutions and mosques within the federal territories and Putrajaya, held at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) today.

Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin called for strengthened cooperation between local councils and the community, encouraging the public to act as “eyes and ears” in reporting animal neglect or abuse.

She also stressed the importance of volunteer programmes like “trap-neuter-release” initiatives for stray cats and dogs.

Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin urged the education ministry to mandate the formation of animal lover clubs in schools and higher learning institutions.

“Through these clubs, students can learn the basics of animal care and increase empathy and compassion for animals from a young age,” she said.

She also urged private companies to support animal welfare programmes through corporate social responsibility initiatives by providing funding and assistance to animal shelters. - FMT