Strays have it even worse when members of the public abuse them or when they are injured or fall sick with no one to help them get the medical help they need.

With the stray population ever increasing, everyone can play a part in helping find them good homes, or at least help fund the independent animal rescuers who are doing good work to give these strays a chance at life.

1. Voice for Paws

This group was founded in April 2019 by a group of independent rescuers who wish to rescue and rehome as many stray cats and dogs as they can.

Since the group does not have a physical shelter of their own, all rescues are home-fostered by them or members of the public who wish to help. Voice for Paws holds adoption drives every two weeks in Bangsar where you can meet the dogs and puppies before deciding on which you’d like to adopt.

All their members are also community feeders depending on where they reside. When contacted by FMT, president Dinesh Dharan said they need urgent funding to settle mounting vet bills. They are also grateful for donations of food and other pet-care essentials.

“We would also like to appeal for more people to come forward to foster our cats and dogs,” Dinesh said.

Head here for more information on Voice for Paws. You can follow them on Instagram and Facebook.

2. KL Pooch Resort & Rescue (KLPR)

Operating since 2011, KLPR doesn’t rely solely on donations to feed, home and provide medical attention for the almost 300 dogs in their care. They also provide boarding services for pets to help offset the cost of running the shelter.

“The majority of our dogs are considered seniors, which means higher vet care and it’s getting harder for us to make ends meet,” founder Shannon Lam said, adding that even with their boarding services business, they were still short on funds.

Lam left her home in Australia years ago and started a dog rescue here where she was born, inspired by the work of independent rescue groups.

“The money you donate will go to buy meat for our dogs, essential medicine, pay workers who care for them, and everything else that’ll help us stay afloat,” Lam said.

As an increasing number of rescues are taking up KLPR’s boarding kennels, Lam also calls for animal lovers to lend a helping hand to the group, as “even the heaviest burden is made light when carried by many”.

Head here for more information on KL Pooch Resort & Rescue. You can follow them on Instagram, Facebook or visit their website.

3. Wagging SOULS

This group in Seremban was founded by Syamala Devi, who in 2018 decided to celebrate her husband’s birthday by feeding hungry stray dogs in her area, a banana leaf meal.

This first feeding opened her eyes to the plight of stray dogs and soon after, Wagging SOULS was formed with a few volunteers.

Syamala told FMT that what the dogs eat depends on how much funds she has.

“If we have enough, we can afford to feed them chicken and rice, whereas if there isn’t much, we’ll make do with kibble packs. We’ve started neutering them recently, too.”

Syamala said they are in dire need of cash or food donations as when funds are low, the volunteers pay out of their own pocket for the feeding sessions.

Head here for more information on Wagging SOULS and follow them on Facebook.

4. PapanSouls

Here’s an animal rescue organisation whose mission is to save stray dogs dumped along the Ipoh-Lumut Highway.

On the receiving end of the stray issue in Ipoh, they often find themselves caring for abandoned animals left by irresponsible pet owners, the city council, and sometimes independent feeders.

A PapanSouls volunteer told FMT that there’s been a surge in pet dumping recently. “If you can’t take care of a pet, don’t get one.”

Their biggest concern now is sourcing for a three- to five-acre piece of land on the outskirts of Ipoh to relocate to.

“We have 130 sick, vulnerable dogs and our current safehouse is beyond its maximum capacity, which limits our rescue work from Papan, so this is the help we need now,” the volunteer said.

Head here for more information on PapanSouls and follow them on Instagram and Facebook.

Here are four other animal rescue organisations that need cash or food donations to continue doing their good work.