The Animal Awareness Day, an annual event organized by the Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya (UM), was held on 25 May 2024 (Saturday), from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM at the Center Point, Faculty of Medicine, UM. This year, this event was organized and chaired by (1) Dr. Stanley Tan Tiong Kai from the Department of Parasitology, UM; (2) Dr. Nor Azlina Abdul Aziz from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia; (3) Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine (MSPTM); and in collaboration with the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), Kuala Lumpur. This event aimed to promote pet ownership, understanding of pets’ behavior, and awareness about the prevention of zoonotic diseases under the theme “Understanding Your Furry Friends and Protecting against Zoonotic Diseases”. The event featured various booths focusing on common and zoonotic parasites infecting animals and humans, as well as promoting animal ethics and welfare. Activities included physical check-ups on cats, vaccination, and de-tick/flea and deworming services. The event saw participation from 48 individuals and 136 cats, including those brought by a cat rescuer.
A Pet Photography competition was also held, with 15 participants and 11 eligible photos. The top three photos with the most likes were awarded RM300, RM200, and RM100, respectively, for the first, second, and third prizes.
