Thankfully, there are caring individuals who look out for these cats and dogs, feeding them and in the best of situations, rescuing them from the streets, attending to their medical needs, neutering them and rehoming them.
In Malaysia, several individuals have set up animal shelters that take in stray puppies and kittens, adult cats and dogs, accident victims and those who are abused. It is a tough job that demands willpower, hard work, emotional resilience.
The high cost of living has left these animal shelters struggling to find the financial means to feed, house and pay for the medical bills that the strays they rescue require.
The following animal shelters and NGOs are appealing to the general public for donations so that they can continue their good work to control the stray population in the country.
1. Furry Tails Land
This shelter in Kajang, was founded by Hoo Yuh Ru more than 20 years ago.
She said she has appealed on numerous occasions to the city council for financial aid so she can spay and neuter the strays she has rescued. “But sadly, there has been no response,” Hoo, 55, told FMT recently.
Hoo said she spends RM200 a day at the market shopping for food for the 400 dogs at her shelter. Neutering fees, on the other hand, usually must be settled on the spot. And that’s another RM300-400 per dog.
Hoo is in urgent need of funds for food and medical expenses and is happy to receive donations, whether in cash or in the form of dog food.
“I feel that it’s just human nature to feel sorry for the strays and as a dog lover myself, I am doing all I can right now to help.”
Head here for more information on Furry Tails Land.
2. Ruff Love Malaysia
Ruff Love Malaysia rescues and rehomes injured and abandoned strays in the Klang Valley.
When contacted by FMT, the organisation said that they are in dire need of food for the strays as well as other necessary supplies.
In the midst of relocating, they are in dire need of funds to cover the costs of temporary boarding for the animals in their care.
They also have outstanding medical bills to settle as many of the strays were either sick or injured, required vaccination or were in need of being neutered or spayed.
Head here for more information on Ruff Love Malaysia.
3. The Zero Stray Project
Founded in 2016, the Zero Stray Project is a small charity based in Puchong. Dedicated to the welfare of strays, the group feeds and provides veterinary care for the animals they rescue.
Hoping to open a shelter someday to serve as a permanent base, they aim to reduce the number of strays on the streets.
Each week, its volunteers provide 200 meals to the stray dogs in their area. At presents, all the costs for food, medical care other than emergency veterinary services and neutering fees are borne by the volunteers themselves.
“Lately there have been many cases of sporotrichosis among the cats, and the treatment for that costs us approximately RM1,500 per month,” the group told FMT in an update, appealing to the general public for donations in cash and kind.
Head here for more information on Zero Stray Project.
4. FurryKids Safehaven
Located in Kuala Sawah, Negeri Sembilan, FurryKids Safehaven is an NGO founded in 2017 by a small group of kind-hearted individuals.
“Currently we need funds to pay back three kibbles suppliers which amounts to more than RM100,000, as we use 40 bags of it daily that cost RM60 each,” its president Jeskiran Kaur Bhat said when contacted by FMT recently.
She added that they also owe approximately RM45,000 in medical bills for rescued and shelter dogs.
Home to 2,000 dogs, the shelter is finding it difficult to sustain itself due to the rising cost of food and medicines.
“It will be very helpful if the public can sign up for monthly recurring donations via our secure payment gateway,” Jeskiran said.
Head here for more information on FurryKids Safehaven.