PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian Small Animal Veterinary Association (MSAVA) is engaging with welfare groups and the public to help provide animals needing veterinary care.
Its president Dr Amilan Sivagurunathan said the association was stepping up efforts to ensure that pets get the best veterinary care.
“We are working closely with universities, professionals and the public through our members to create awareness and education on their roles and responsibilities as pet owners,” he said.
Dr Amilan said since the launch of the Animal Welfare Act 2015, MSAVA members have been working hard to garner support and backing for the guidelines.
“Also, all our member clinics have been actively offering animal welfare support services, prior and throughout the Covid-19 pandemic for the stray pet population in some capacity or form.
“The welfare budget is not limitless and is left to the discretion of the practicing veterinarians. It has somewhat become more the norm rather than the exception in companion veterinary services.
“The small animal or companion animal veterinary service has since grown, comprising 53% of the active veterinarians in the national veterinary registry,” he said.
Dr Amilan said companion animal medicine and surgery was the fastest growing sector in veterinary services and this was due to the rise in pet ownership and ongoing improvements in veterinary care and welfare offered by the professionals.
“MSAVA will be celebrating another milestone this year by launching the first Veterinary Online Continuing Professional Development (CPD) portal here to improve services offered to member veterinarians through continual professional development.
“Veterinarians will have to do their CPD and achieve a certain point to maintain their professional licences,” he said.
Dr Amilan said to mark MSAVA’s 38th year, over 600 participants are attending the 32nd MSAVA National Scientific Congress at KLCC which will close tomorrow.
“This event will not only focus on the latest innovations in veterinary products and service but also the sharing of knowledge in veterinary care by 24 international and local speakers.
“This veterinary congress will certainly raise the standards of care of veterinary practitioners, which in turn improves the welfare of animals under their care.
“Special recognition awards will be presented at the congress this year namely the Animal Welfare Award to members who will be recognised for their outstanding contributions in stray pet control programmes and honorary membership to senior members of the association who have offered exemplary service to the association and the industry,” he said.
Formerly known as Small Animal Practitioners Association Malaysia, MSAVA was formed in 1988 when a group of Indo-Pakistani Veterinary graduates mooted the idea of forming an association for continuing education as well as to look into matters concerning veterinary private practitioners.