THE ANIMAL/PET CARE INDUSTRY IN THIS FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD.....MALAYSIA and its happenings...

As of date, Malaysia's pet care industry tops at an approximate total of RM120 million in retail sales. With an approximate total of 25 million human population, you can imagine the amount of pet owners now. Just 3 years ago, she topped only at RM80 million. She has grown a fair bit.

Many Malaysians are becoming aware of the significance of being a pet owner and the benefits and joy it brings them. Enormous pet care players that contribute to this like MARS, Purina, Hills, Iams & Eukanuba to name a few, have managed to enlighten and educate them all these years.

The Department of Veterinary Services, a silent yet an impactful government agency continuously educates the public on the awareness of pet responsibility. Proper guidance from procedures on vaccination, animal handling, diet and nutrition, desexing, just to name a few all fall under the GAHP (Good Animal Husbandry Practices). This GHP is extended to all animals including aquatic and exotic wildlife. And what a surprise.The 'Five Freedoms' are also mentioned! (a recollection of my animal welfare unit in Dunedin!) which plays an important role to the welfare of the animals here. This would also touch on cruelty, abuse and neglect. The Department of Veterinary Services takes the lead in the sanctuary of the animal kingdom here and I am sure we will see tons of action from them in time to come.

The norm domestic household pets of the mystified cats and the ever so bubbly-fied dogs which are basically the major segment of this industry, Malaysia now has a wide variety of pet owners that own rodents such as hamsters, guinea pigs, chinchillas to fishes of various sizes, to birds of various personalities and reptiles of various colors. Of course this does not leave out the small animal section which are the rabbits of various types. Ferrets that fall under the exotic species has been the ongoing favorite animal for the past 2 years and it is still winning the race.

Due to the rapid growth of this industry and with the progression of the pet owners here, many pet shops and even pet stores have opened..and with a significant difference. One which I felt has made that mark was opened on December 18, 2003.

Well located in a humungous well spread shopping mall containing nothing but concept stores and away from the heart of the city, you would have to go through 2 flights of escalators and upon approaching the top you're faced with tall pastel colored animal statues with delightful smiles standing next to a huge entrance made out of bricks that is so inviting and different in looks. A true welcome feeling I felt. Who is this new kid in town?

Pet Safari I was told. In full - The Pet Safari Kuala Lumpur. A different name for a change I thought. With a curious nature, I embarked on my journey. As I walked in, I felt cozy. Lighting was soft to the human eye instead of the norm white bright lights and this was accompanied with soft music (this actually calms animals and it also had a tinge of effect on me). Temperature of air conditioning was just right at 23 degrees Celsius. Looking all around me, I noticed the design and layout was very well thought through. From the walls, flooring and to the sign boards, it was like walking in a safari like jungle but of a modernized version. Walk ways was splendidly spacious. Surrounding me were little shops of live stocks of rodents, reptiles, birds, pedigree kittens, pedigree puppies, fishes, a pet boutique!, just to name a few. It was such a pleasure seeing parents and children embracing them with such laughter and satisfaction. Dogs are more than ever welcomed to even 'shop'!

The interesting area and out of the norm I found was the Pet Boutique. A first in Malaysia. Tiny bikinis, sailor-like t-shirts and shorts, even booties, just to name a few and believe me all keeping up with the pooch fashion, hung on plastic hangers similar to the method on how human clothing are displayed! Trendy dog carriers and cushions placed neatly into compartments visible to the human eye and all at a reasonable price!

In the centre portion lies bays and bays of galore dry and wet pet food, treats, accessories and mega loads of toys. I found the staff pleasant and knowledgeable and all very smart-looking, dressed in crisp, clean cut, collared safari-like shirts and jeans with the Pet Safari logo printed on it. Very theme like.

The other interesting feature is a 6-star Pet Motel - A Home Away From Home - and mind you a first in Malaysia, an attractive built-up of 4,000sq.ft. accompanied with 109 spacious 'rooms' with affordable rates. It caters for all animals and not necessarily to just cats and dogs. Each 'room' comes with soft bedding, a menu of delicious food, toys for mind stimulation, in-house piped soothing classical music that relaxes the soul and air conditioning of room temperature, etc, etc and not forgetting.tons of tender love and care from the 'hospitality staff'! This facility even has an in house 24 hour Veterinarian. In other words, the humans can travel freely without having to worry about their loved ones.

And of course that goes without saying...a state-of-the-art Veterinary Clinic..

With all these ideas intact, I wanted to explore further and had the privilege of meeting the creator..Mr Ng Whye Hoe, an animal lover himself, enterprising, innovative, simple at heart who was inspired to continue the legacy from his late father who set up the first pet store in Singapore in 1973 called Pet Lovers Centre (PLC). Within 8 years of taking over, there are currently 13 stores well spread out throughout Singapore.

The concept of both The Pet Safari's (Pet Safari in Singapore was founded in 1999) were thought of while drinking coffee in a coffee shop in Singapore. (It's amazing what caffeine does to you!) Many challenges were faced as this concept is relatively new in this part of the world. But with the courage of strong-mindedness, direction and confidence, Pet Safari was born.

Why did Whye Hoe decide to embark his journey to Malaysia? Simple. Malaysia is an exciting, vast and growing petcare industry. After doing a thorough research here, he felt Malaysia would be ready to embrace them. Also, he was approached by Ikea Singapore who has been keeping up with him all these years and since Ikea Malaysia was opening their store into a bigger premise, they invited him to open a Pet Safari here.

Pet Safari Kuala Lumpur is a joint venture with one of the most renown fish experts in Malaysia.Guan Guan Aquarium Sdn Bhd who is now known as Qian Hu Corporation Ltd, listed in the main board of the Singapore Stock Exchange. Pet Safari would remain as one and other Pet Lovers concept stores would be opened throughout Malaysia in the future. But in 3 years' time, Pet Safari should be seen in Shanghai, Bangkok and Hong Kong.

Pet Safari is very unique and different from the rest of the stores here because it is a group of credible specialists in their respective fields leveraging and synergizing themselves and the pet owners. The rest of the stores would have a head of which information is heavily relied upon and at times it is insufficient.

Pet Safari's contribution to the petcare industry in Malaysia would set standards and benchmarks in an ideal environment. Working closely in a team with a common goal is vital. Eg: a follow-up service to the new dog owner after purchasing a puppy a few days' ago. This would enhance Pet Safari's seriousness and responsibility to the welfare of the animal and a step forward making itself once again, different.

A verse that I found that best describes such a contributor to this industry:

"Adventure Rewards Those Who Abandon The Main Road To Explore The Unexplored, And To Prove The Unproven".