KUALA LUMPUR: The proposed tax relief for pet vaccinations and the adoption of animals from registered shelters under Budget 2027 could promote responsible pet ownership while strengthening efforts to prevent zoonotic diseases and manage stray animal populations.
Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) Faculty of Veterinary Medicine dean Dr Mohd Faizal Ghazali said the initiative could encourage more pet owners to vaccinate their animals, particularly those who might otherwise find the cost burdensome.
He said vaccination was crucial to preventing the spread of infectious diseases among animals and reducing the risk of zoonotic diseases, which can be transmitted from animals to humans.
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“Rabies is a serious threat as it can be fatal once clinical symptoms develop. Therefore, preventive measures, including vaccination and proper animal health management, must be given priority,” he told Bernama.
Dr Mohd Faizal, who is also the founder of the UniSZA Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, added that higher vaccination rates among pets could help establish herd immunity, reducing disease transmission and the long-term costs of managing outbreaks.
He said tax relief for adopting animals from registered shelters could promote an “Adopt, Don’t Shop” culture and reduce reliance on unregistered breeders.
“This measure could help ease the initial costs of adopting an animal, including health check-ups, spaying or neutering and registration, while supporting animal shelters in managing stray populations,” he said.
However, Dr Mohd Faizal urged local authorities (PBTs) to simplify the registration process for animal shelters, including small non-governmental organisations (NGOs), to enable more shelters to qualify for the incentives and extend the benefits to the wider community.
Meanwhile, Ipoh Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) chairman Ricky Soong said the initiative could encourage more people to adopt animals from shelters, helping to ease overcrowding at these facilities.
However, he said animal shelters generally offered animals for adoption free of charge or for a nominal fee, limiting the direct benefits of the proposed tax relief for those involved in stray animal welfare.
Soong therefore suggested that the government introduce tax relief to encourage companies and individuals to contribute directly to registered NGOs.
“Animal shelters run by NGOs and independent rescuers face high operating costs, including food, rent and medical treatment, without government subsidies. The government should therefore work closely with NGOs, veterinarians and local authorities to ensure the policy addresses the root causes of the stray animal problem at the grassroots level,” he said.
Pet owner Rosdalila Zahari, 40, said the tax relief announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would help ease the financial burden on pet owners, particularly those caring for several cats and facing ongoing maintenance costs.
“Even though my cats are not expensive breeds, the cost of looking after them is still high. Vaccinations, neutering, medical treatment and other expenses can cost between RM500 and RM1,000 per cat, depending on the treatment needed.
“I also provide food, water and medical treatment for five stray cats that regularly visit my home, on top of caring for my own cats,” she said.
When tabling Budget 2027 on Oct 9, the Prime Minister proposed extending individual income tax relief for lifestyle expenses to cover pet vaccinations and the adoption of animals from registered centres.