KUCHING – Kuching South City Council (MBKS), in collaboration with the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS), Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) and Strategic Veterinary Alliance (SVA), successfully organised a Mass Anti-Rabies Vaccination, Dog Licensing, Microchipping and Subsidised Neutering Programme on 11 June 2026 at Dewan Masyarakat MBKS, Jalan Padungan.
The one-day programme drew strong participation, with 152 dog owners bringing their pets for vaccination and licensing. In total, 290 dogs were vaccinated, comprising 95 first-dose vaccinations and 195 booster shots administered by DVSS.
MBKS also issued 221 dog licences and microchipped 50 dogs during the event. Meanwhile, the subsidised neutering programme received 10 applications, reflecting growing awareness among pet owners about the importance of controlling the stray dog population.
Mayor of Kuching South, Dato Wee Hong Seng, urged dog owners to take responsibility by ensuring their pets are vaccinated against rabies, licensed and microchipped. He also encouraged neutering as a preventive measure to reduce stray numbers and improve community safety.
Dato Wee expressed appreciation to DVSS, SSPCA, SVA, volunteers, supporting agencies and participants for their contributions in making the programme a success. He emphasised that collective effort is vital in achieving the goal of a Rabies-Free Sarawak.
Rabies has been a serious public health concern in Sarawak, with authorities intensifying vaccination campaigns to protect both animals and humans. Programmes such as this are part of a wider strategy to eliminate rabies through mass immunisation, responsible pet ownership and community cooperation.
Officials highlighted that microchipping plays a crucial role in identifying pets and ensuring compliance with licensing regulations. It also helps reunite lost animals with their owners, strengthening accountability and reducing the risk of unlicensed strays.
The subsidised neutering initiative, supported by SSPCA and SVA, aims to address the long-term issue of stray dogs in urban areas. By encouraging pet owners to neuter their animals, MBKS hopes to reduce uncontrolled breeding and improve animal welfare standards.
Community participation remains central to these efforts. Authorities have consistently called on residents to support vaccination drives and licensing programmes, stressing that public involvement is essential in safeguarding health and security.
The success of the June programme demonstrates the effectiveness of collaboration between government agencies, non-governmental organisations and the public. MBKS has pledged to continue organising similar initiatives to strengthen rabies prevention and promote responsible pet ownership.
Dato Wee reiterated that the council’s ultimate goal is to ensure Kuching remains safe, healthy and rabies-free. He encouraged all dog owners to take advantage of future programmes and to view vaccination, licensing and neutering as essential responsibilities.
