KUALA LUMPUR — The Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) is currently reviewing the implementation of an integrated digital registration system for pet dogs through the use of microchip technology.
Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu stated that the technology, led by the Veterinary Services Department (JPV), aims to record ownership and status data for dogs.
“This will enable monitoring of ownership and status data, including the owner’s details, as well as records on licensing, vaccinations, sterilisation, and monitoring over time,” he said during a Q&A session at the Dewan Negara today.
He was responding to an additional question from Senator Che Alias Hamid, who asked whether the government would make microchip implantation mandatory to control breeding, and whether local authorities (PBT) would be granted clearer powers to capture and control the population of stray dogs to reduce the risk of attacks.
Aiman Athirah explained that the methods of capture, reclamation, adoption, or transfer to non-governmental organisations (NGOs), as well as disposal, are best practices widely adopted in many countries to curb the growing stray dog population.
Earlier, Aiman Athirah also informed that KPKT had allocated RM180,000 last year and RM130,000 this year to local authorities involved in the implementation of the Stray Dog Management Campaign.
The campaign aims to raise public awareness and promote responsible pet ownership to prevent the abandonment of pet dogs.
According to Aiman Athirah, 37,538 complaints of nuisance caused by stray dogs were received, with 15,815 operations carried out and 66,264 stray dogs captured in integrated operations throughout last year.
“Out of this total, 19,354 dogs were handed over to JPV, reclaimed by their owners, or adopted through the pet adoption programme,” he said.
He added that training had also been provided to PBT personnel involved in stray dog capture operations, including the ethical use of equipment, safe capture methods, and compliance with animal welfare standards. — December 3, 2025