World Animal Groove 2013

Great news! The Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) will be organizing the World Animal Groove (WAG) in Kuching this coming October for the 2^nd year running, and have added exciting new programs to enhance an already awesome event.

Besides the music concert, SSPCA Bazaar and animal blessing, the society has included the SSPCA Animazing Race and Wiggle Waggle Walk, all happening on October 12th at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) in Kuching.

The program starts with the Animazing Race and followed with the SSPCA Bazaar, Wiggle Waggle Walk, animal blessing and music concert. Both the Wiggle Waggle Walk and the animal blessing will be held in the afternoon while the music concert starts at 7pm.

SSPCA is hoping to attract more than 1,000 runners for the Animazing Race which covers a distance of 10km. The race is divided into two categories - men and women and offers cash and medals for the top 10 winners. A total of RM2, 400 will be given as prizes to the winners.

The race is open to those 16 years and above and each runner is required to pay a participation fee of RM60. Each runner will be given a t-shirt, one ticket to the WAG Music Festival and other gifts upon registration. The registration form is available online at www.wagmusicfestival.com.

The society is also expecting more participation in the animal blessing. Last year about 50 pet owners brought their pets the blessing which was performed by religious leaders from various religious organizations. Some came with their dogs, cats, rabbits, tortoise and sugar gliders.

The Wiggle Waggle Walk involves owners and their pets and will be around the BCCK premises.

The highlight for the day’s program is the WAG Music Festival and it features The Bottle Boys from Denmark, Avijit and Friend (India), comedian Bibi Kaypoh (Kuala Lumpur) and Sarawak’s very own SMK Matang Gamelan band, Nading Rhapsody and Gabriel F Louis.

Tickets to the music festival are priced at RM60 each for adults and RM30 each for children between 3 to 12 years old. The tickets are available online at www.ticketxpress.com.my starting today. To commensurate the launching of WAG 2013, SSPCA is offering the ticket at a special price of RM40 each for adults and RM20 for children from now until July 31.

The WAG Music Festival is organized in conjunction with the World Animal Day which is celebrated on October 4 worldwide annually. Last year the music festival attracted some 2,500 visitors and SSPCA is hoping the number will increase this year.

Given that WAG is organized by UCSI Communications Sdn Bhd, who are known for their meticulous attention to detail and the fact that it is held to raise funds for the construction of the Animal Village which is estimated to cost RM1.5 million, and that some of the proceeds will also be used for upkeep of the present animal shelter, this is a cause which truly deserves the strongest support.

The shelter houses about 2,800 animals every year and needs an average of RM25,000 a month  to feed and provide medical care for the animals.