This new location, set to be solar-powered with underground water facilities, represents a fresh start for some 169 rescue animals and their dedicated caretaker.
“I need to raise at least RM20,000 for the basic setup,” Bong, the founder of Choy Yun Gao (Cantonese for “stray dogs”) animal shelter in Kuala Sawah, Seremban, shared with FMT Lifestyle.
Despite the challenges of the move – including extensive renovations to the one-acre (0.4ha) plot of land – the 58-year-old remains committed to providing a safe and comfortable environment for the dogs she has devoted her life to.
Bong never imagined she would become a guardian angel to Seremban’s strays. “I didn’t plan to start a shelter or even help strays,” she admitted.
It all started 15 years ago when a wounded stray dog, later named Happy, wandered to Bong’s home in KL, bleeding from a head injury. “I was scared of blood, so I hid inside my house,” the Kedah-born recalled.
But, as the hours passed, she realised the dog would die without help.
Overcoming her fear, she took the dog to the vet, which marked the start of her lifelong mission. Happy recovered and was rehomed a year later, but the experience stayed with Bong, planting the seeds for what would become Choy Yun Gao.
The journey has been anything but easy. Bong, who juggles the responsibilities of running the shelter and managing her household, reflected on the challenges since embarking on this path in 2015.
The shelter was born out of necessity after Bong found herself rescuing more stray dogs upon moving to Seremban. “I thought I would never see a stray after moving here. But I did, and I felt sad seeing them. I couldn’t even sleep. Some were being killed in my neighbourhood, and I couldn’t bear it.
“I started picking up puppies, and suddenly, I had 40,” the mother of two recounted.
This tipping point led her to establish the shelter on a vegetable farm on Jalan Kayu Ara in 2015. Seven years later, as the number of canines grew, Bong moved to her present spot in Kuala Sawah.
The early days were particularly challenging. Bong had to learn on the go, relying on common sense and compassion to guide her. Financial strain (RM16,000 monthly to keep the shelter running), physical exhaustion, and emotional turmoil were constant companions.
“Finding money for food, sending them to the clinic, feeding and cleaning them – it was overwhelming,” she reflected.
But even in her darkest moments, it was the dogs that gave her strength. “I was mildly depressed, but I would go to the shelter, talk with the dogs, and somehow pick up my heart. They made me stronger.”
Running a shelter is not for the faint-hearted, and Bong has faced her share of setbacks. From losing eight dogs to snake bites at the shelter to dealing with criticism from strangers and loved ones, the road has been fraught with difficulties.
“Even my siblings told me I was being insensible,” she said with a sigh. Yet she persevered, driven by an unshakeable belief in her mission’s worth.
As she prepares for the upcoming move, Bong remains focused. Her long-term goals are modest but heartfelt. “I want to make this place very comfortable for the dogs, where they can live happily. I’m also planning to start an art and craft project to support the shelter and my TNR (trap-neuter-release) efforts.”
She has stopped taking in more rescues to prevent overcrowding, understanding that maintaining a manageable number is essential to providing the best care.
This careful approach reflects Bong’s humility and realism: traits she has maintained despite, or because of, her years of experience. “I don’t know how many years I can do this. That’s why I’m keeping the few volunteers I have,” she explained.
For those moved by Bong’s story, she offers a simple way to help: “Become a monthly sponsor for my dogs. RM60 a month can make a huge difference.”
Indeed, she may not have planned to become a hero to Seremban’s strays, but to the 169 four-legged residents in her care, Bong is nothing short of a saviour.
To donate or to learn more, follow Choy Yun Gao on Facebook.