Haze has no boundaries: Stray animals need protection too
PETALING JAYA: As haze drives individuals indoors and forces schools to suspend outdoor activities, stray animals remain exposed to polluted air with nowhere to seek shelter, prompting calls for an emergency response plan to protect them before conditions worsen.
NGO Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia (SAFM) president Kalaivanan Ravichandran said animal welfare must be incorporated into Malaysia’s haze response, with clear responsibilities, veterinary support and practical measures to protect vulnerable animals.
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He urged the government to establish a coordinated Animal Welfare Haze Response Protocol involving the Veterinary Services Department, local authorities, veterinary professionals and animal welfare organisations.
“When air quality becomes unsafe for people, we cannot ignore the animals that have no means of escaping that same environment.
“Animal welfare must be part of national preparedness, not an afterthought when a crisis emerges.”
His call comes as haze continues to blanket parts of the country, with 25 areas recording unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) readings yesterday. Pasir Gudang in Johor recorded the highest reading at 190 as of 8am.
Johor remains the worst-hit state, with eight areas reporting unhealthy air quality, while affected locations in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Negeri Sembilan and Malacca also recorded elevated pollution levels. Kalaivanan said as authorities tighten public health precautions, including restrictions on outdoor activities and school closures when pollution reaches dangerous levels, similar safeguards must be extended to animals.
He added that stray animals are particularly vulnerable as many already struggle with inadequate nutrition, untreated illnesses and limited access to veterinary care.
He also said fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, could aggravate respiratory conditions, placing young, elderly and medically vulnerable animals at greater risk.
Kalaivanan said unlike household pets that could be kept indoors, street animals have little protection against prolonged exposure.
He added that Malaysia did not need an entirely new emergency framework, as the National Haze Action Plan and DVS Animal Emergency Management Manual already provide a foundation for disaster preparedness.
He said instead, existing arrangements should be strengthened through animal-specific health advisories linked to API readings, emergency veterinary referral systems and access to suitable temporary indoor facilities for vulnerable animals.
“Our recommendation is not to create another policy simply for the sake of having one. It is to ensure existing frameworks translate into clear responsibilities and practical action.”
He cautioned against indiscriminately capturing stray animals during haze episodes, saying such measures could be impractical and potentially harmful.
Kalaivanan said intervention should instead focus on animals requiring urgent assistance, guided by veterinary assessments and supported by appropriate facilities.
He added that animal rescuers and community feeders, many of whom already face financial and logistical constraints, could not be expected to shoulder the burden of environmental emergencies alone.
“Animal welfare NGOs are important partners in emergency response, but responsibility for national preparedness cannot rest solely on NGOs and individual volunteers.”
He also said rescuers often struggle to arrange transport, veterinary treatment and temporary accommodation for sick animals, with prolonged haze threatening to place further pressure on already limited resources.
Kalaivanan said for wildlife, the risks extend beyond polluted air to habitat degradation and disruption caused by fires, requiring specialised monitoring by the relevant authorities.
He added that SAFM wants animal welfare integrated into broader environmental emergency planning, with clearly designated agencies responsible for coordinating assistance before conditions deteriorate.
“The question is not whether Malaysia can protect every animal from every environmental hazard.
“The question is whether we have a coordinated, practical and accountable system to protect those most at risk.”