KOTA KINABALU: The Veterinary Services Department (DVS) in Sabah hopes to foster better work relations with animal welfare groups and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to enhance animal welfare in the state.

       DVS Sabah Chief Senior Assistant Director Dr Zul Bahar Abdul Rashid said awareness and collaboration between state and private sectors in protecting animal welfare is lacking.

       He said this in a statement after a town hall session with more than 60 participants from local government agencies, private veterinary clinics, animal welfare NGOs and pet shops from Kota Kinabalu, Tuaran, Penampang and Putatan on Friday (March 8).

       The session, hosted at the DVS Kota Kinabalu regional office in Kepayan, was held to gather feedback and provide information on the Animal Welfare Enactment 2015 and related topics.

       Dr Zul said that attendees were also introduced to the DVS’ online animal welfare portal, where the public can report animal cruelty issues in Sabah.

       “Today’s program also brought together local authorities around the districts of Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Putatan and Tuaran to share their experience with other stakeholders on the management of stray animals essentially related to the Dog Ordinance 1960,” he said.

       “To date, this is the first of such programs initiated in the west coast region and the third in Sabah, where two similar programs were done in Kudat and Tawau in 2023,” he added.

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