Though far from her homeland, she hasn’t forgotten her roots. Today she is the founder and president of Filbert’s Foundation for Furry Friends (F5), a non-profit she founded in 2022 that tackles the plight of Malaysia’s six million stray dogs.
Driven by a diverse team spanning two continents, F5 unites professionals – from a retired US Navy veteran to Malaysian journalists and independent rescuers – in the shared mission to save the canines on the streets and promote humane population management practices like Trap-Neuter-Return-Manage (TNR-M).
Speaking with FMT Lifestyle over a video call, the 46-year-old shared how her concern for stray dogs in Malaysia began with a painful childhood memory.
“I always knew there were a lot of animal issues in Malaysia. Back in the 80s, my aunt’s dog, who lived right across the street from me in Ipoh, was shot because he didn’t have a collar with a license,” she said.
Years later during the pandemic, Namita stumbled upon a heartbreaking Facebook post about stray dogs being dumped at the Papan landfill in Ipoh. “They were left there to starve or get hit by passing trucks as it was located near the highway,” she said. “That really caught my attention.”
The horrifying images spurred her into action. She rallied a group of animal lovers in the US, sharing videos and stories of the cruelty faced by strays here.
“They were appalled. It was hard for them to even watch, but they all said, ‘Whatever you need me to do, I’m in.’ That’s how it all started,” she explained.
The foundation is named after Filbert, Namita’s first rescue dog in the US who passed away in 2022. Adopted in 2012 at age seven, her long-haired dachshund was her best buddy during challenging times. “He really changed my life and taught me to find joy in simple things,” she said.
As Filbert aged, Namita was inspired to honour his legacy.
“In 2021, I thought, how amazing would it be to give back to my home country in his name? He gave me so much; I wanted to do something for him.”
Through F5, Namita and her team of volunteers focus primarily on funding sterilisation programmes for responsible independent rescuers caring for stray dogs, as well as for low-income pet owners. They also collaborate with NGOs in Malaysia to support their ongoing efforts.
These initiatives require meticulous coordination: rescuers must submit photos and details of the dogs, while veterinarians must document each procedure via online forms. Payments are made directly to the veterinarians to ensure transparency.
Since May 2023, F5 has supported the spaying of over 1,000 stray dogs through various projects from Klang Valley to Hulu Langat and Ipoh. This effort is expected to prevent more than 70,000 unwanted births over the next five years.
Hundreds of thousands of ringgit have been poured into F5, largely funded by Namita, her friends and family, and other generous donors. However, this doctor emphasises that more funds are needed to make significant progress.
Looking ahead, F5 plans to launch a targeted Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Manage (CNVR-M) project aimed at creating a long-term impact in smaller, focused geographical areas.
Namita’s ultimate goal is to address the systemic issues that perpetuate the stray crisis in Malaysia. “There are six million strays in Malaysia. Even with all the NGOs’ efforts, real change requires policy reform,” she said.
She believes international advocacy can amplify the cause. “People feel an international organisation pushing for change might have more impact. But it’s crucial for all NGOs to align and make their voices heard together,” she added.
Namita also encourages Malaysians abroad to contribute. “Don’t just see Malaysia as a vacation spot. Your experiences abroad can help make a difference back home,” she urged.
Although F5 is a young organisation, its impact is already making waves. With Namita at the helm and a growing network of support, the future looks brighter for Malaysia’s strays. “This is just the beginning,” she said.
Follow F5 on Instagram, Facebook and check out their website.