Malaysia Veterinary Forum (Archive)

calventeng · Joined: 03 Apr 2007 Posts: 19

Just wondering... tell me your opinon after you read as below:

I'm now working with Langkawi Animal Shelter & Sanctuary Foundation in Langkawi, Malaysia since end of March, 2007. My main task is searching volunteers and vets to help out our shelter through volunteer program, full-time or even part-time vets. I sent emails to a lot of animal welfare organizations & vet org. around the world and vet schools in major countries like US, Canada, UK, Australia, NZ and etc, and of course, Malaysia.

I received alot of feedbacks from the international orgazations and schools pertaining this program. Those who are unable to help in advertising but they provide useful information as well. Some schools and some organizations just forward my email to their members or students for their attention.

The saddest point is, NONE of the Malaysia's school or organization (except SPCA Selangor which already has a linked with us) reply me with anything, not even a line of a message! Some address even bounce back to me as those addresses are invalid. Guess what, all failure messages are basically addresses under Malaysia government's website!

So far only one Malaysian sent in email pertaining this proram, but this lady is different as she already knew the owner/management of LASSie. Besides that, I receive nothing from any Malaysian, but a lot of Singaporean.

There are numbers of people as volunteers in our shelter just for the weekend. I know it's kinda hard for those not from Langkawi to get two-weeks off and participate in our program. Just.. Well, I just feel sad as students can come during semester break, or just right after graduated, for a two-weeks program. You can get free meals and accommodations by taking care the animal for 'office hours'....

I really feel bad regards this matter and hope there are more and more people joining our program in Langkawi as here has too much stray cats & dogs which need our care. We have almost 200 cats&dogs at our dog shelter, cat shelter and Bon Ton Resort itself and there are lots more to go.

Kindly show your kind heart to all the pity animals which do not have owner....

We appreciate for any kind of support... Please help those stray animals in Malaysia....

Dr. TanDY · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 10:56 am Post subject:

Just a little suggestion from me. Have you tried to put LASSie poster in the vet faculty (e.g. student's room) in UPM?

calventeng · Joined: 03 Apr 2007 Posts: 19

Hi Dr. TanDY,

LASSie's poster? Nope, may I know how to do that? But, I've sent in 3-5 emails to the UPS' Vet Faculty and the few emails to the university as well pertaining this program...

Dr. TanDY · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 11:43 am Post subject:

It's easy. Just print out your poster (or job ads) and go to UPM Vet Faculty. Search for the student's room (ask around) and post it there. Voila, you get your message to all the vets in UPM.

Want more power in spreading the news? Try to tie up with Dogathon committee (read the "latest event" forum). You may even consider to post your poster to them and ask for help if you can't go to UPM.

No point sending emails to local unis. 99.99% you won't even get a reply. That's normal.

calventeng · Joined: 03 Apr 2007 Posts: 19

Brother, I'm in Langkawi now la... hahahaha.... Will try to do it.. Thanks ya!

"" No point sending emails to local unis. 99.99% you won't even get a reply. That's normal. "" <-- is it local cultue? :p

Dr. TanDY · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 8:51 pm Post subject:

I mean you can also send your "promotion materials" by mail (snail mail). Maybe some vet students might willing to help you.

I do not know if not replying emails is a culture here. However, from what I know, sometimes this is because the email systems in many local unis are (almost) totally unreliable. The mail server may have been already down for many times until the users starting to give up using it, if at all. Perhaps that's why you don't get your mail reply.

calventeng · Joined: 03 Apr 2007 Posts: 19

Ahh... email server.. The email server and internet always down eh? Hmm... just wondering will there more internet supplier company set up in Malaysia or not. It's not a good sign if streamyx played as monopoly. Every field needs competition, only competition can make things become stronger and better :)

Dr. TanDY · Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 10:19 am Post subject:

From what I know in the unis, the ISP (internet service provider) may not be the main culprit in the "server problems". More often than not, the problem lies in the staffing of the IT department. Usually there aren't enough technically competent staff to handle the 1,0001 things in their respective faculties/departments. Trivial things like fixing some windows problems of some lecturers' computers (in some cases there are no problem at all, just that users need some guidance in using the software) may take up a whole day. On the top of that they have to face with everyday IT facility maintenance routine (server management and monitoring) and fighting off the relentless attacks of viruses, worms, hackers, spammers... etc. In extreme cases, there is only 1 IT staff to handle the IT needs of the whole faculty! Imagine the efficiency then... huh!

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

So, can I assume that calventeng is not a Malaysian? Or at least have been living abroad for some time now? ;)

I think a lot of the volunteer spirit hasn't really caught on with Malaysians yet. Many still are preoccupied with their own problems to help others. With animals, it is even less. However, I think that the situation is changing. There are a few more people willing to spend their time helping out others in need. Langkawi is far away, and most people start where they live first. SPCA do get a couple of volunteers, especially on weekends. To get 2 weeks off is a big deal.

Getting students on the other hand may be easier. Especially when tempted with free accomodation and food. If you cant get email replies from UPM, why not picking up the phone instead?

Good luck

Dr. TanDY · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 8:56 am Post subject:

Lately all the emails to UPM Vet Faculty were rejected. They have a serious email server problem. Hopefully the problem can be resolved asap.

nekochan · Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 62

Those who will be visiting langkawi, do drop by at BonTOn and visit lassie, its a nice place.