Slow Down PLEASE, Cats and Dogs Crossing the Road !!!

Furry Friends Farm wants animal crossing signs put up:

IN Australia, it’s not uncommon to find kangaroo crossing signage along the roads.

At one time, roads in Puncak Alam, Shah Alam, even had signage alerting motorists to watch out for road-crossing tapirs!

In conjunction with World Animal Day on Oct 4, Furry Friends Farm founder Sabrina Yeap hopes that the local authorities will support her idea to promote animal welfare on the road and put up animal crossing signs.

It is an idea that is yet to be brought up with any of the local authorities but Yeap hopes that if the public agrees with her, this will nudge the authorities into taking action.

The push factor came to Yeap when Jasper the dog, a victim of a hit and run accident, was brought in by a group of contractors to Furry Friends Farm.

“He was injured with a ruptured skull showing part of his brain. When I went to see Jasper, in spite of the
unimaginable amount of pain he must have been in, Jasper still wagged his tail, as if in anticipation of some help,” said Yeap.

She said that from the countless number of accidents that involved dogs and cats, it's high time that signages saying, (Beware! Slow down! Cats and dogs crossing) are put up.

“It will not just save the lives of our feline and canine friends, but also the lives of people as hopefully, they will become more careful, considerate and compassionate drivers,” explained Yeap.

She also said that if the local authorities were agreeable with her idea, she would assist them by suggesting locations for placement of the signage.

“I am sure the public will also be supportive of this. Finding an injured or dead animal that had been knocked down by cars is a distressing experience for many. We’ve had plenty of calls from those who want to help but are unsure how to deal in removing the injured animals on the road. Many also are not aware of our animal rescue unit. Members of the public can assist us in identifying animal accident-prone areas in residential sites,” said Yeap.

“A few signage are enough. It will create an awareness among motorists to be more compassionate towards our road-using animal friends.”

Adapted from Malay Mail Online Newspaper, 25 09 2009.