BY ASYRAF HALIM
KUCHING: The state government is considering a proposal to make licensing of cats mandatory, similar to dogs, to make anti-rabies vaccination monitoring easier.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said if owners are serious about caring for their cats, licensing can help the authorities know how many have already been vaccinated
He said although the rabies infection rate among cats is still low at around two per cent, it should not be taken lightly, as an increase in positive cases among dogs could raise the risk for cats.
“Right now, cats make up only a small number of positive cases, but if many dogs are infected, cats can also become victims.
“And if many cats test positive, eventually the disease could spread back to humans,” he said after the launch of World Rabies Day & Rabies Awareness Fun Run 2025 at Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Community Hall here today.
Besides dogs, he said authorities are now also taking the spread of rabies among cats seriously, following a rise in scratches and bites from cats, which pose the same risk as dog bites.
Dr Sim, who is also the Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, stressed that eradicating rabies cannot rely solely on the government but requires awareness and joint action from the public.
“If pet owners are responsible, we can cut the risk of transmission in half. That is the easiest and most effective step. If we all take this seriously, rabies can be eliminated,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Veterinary Services Department (JPVS) Director, Datuk Dr Adrian Susin Ambud, said that more than 278,000 animals have been vaccinated since 2017, including nearly 11,000 this year alone.
“The main challenges remain, as many free-roaming dogs are difficult to capture, and their reproduction rate is high.
“Even if we successfully vaccinate this year, by next year there will be many new dogs. That is why we encourage the public to neuter their pets,” he said.
According to him, the programme is subsidised by the government but response remains low, and truly responsible pet owners must commit to three basic things, vaccination, licensing and neutering.
“If dogs and cats are neutered, they become tamer, less likely to roam, and safer for both owners and the public, in addition to being crucial for population control,” he stressed.
