He said the Covid-19 pandemic that has affected the country since last year also affected animal shelter operators, with some of them in dire straits after having lost their income.
In answer to their plight, he set up Kitty’s Foodbank, where those in need of food for their feline friends can just walk in to any of the three Kitty’s Care Veterinary and Surgical Clinic, which are at Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kajang and Putrajaya, between 10.30am and 5.30pm for the supply. The cat food bank was opened on July 7 last year.
“We have distributed cat food to almost 1,000 recipients, comprising cat owners, animal shelter operators, and stray cat feeders,” he said.
According to Naim, 30, he had spent RM10,000 for the cause and attributed the success of Kitty’s FoodBank to the help and support of his staff, as well as animal lovers and celebrities who contributed funds for the purpose.
“I am touched by their generosity which has enabled us to provide premium cat food to ensure the animals get a complete source of nutrition,” he said.
He added that there were also cat food manufacturers who supplied cat food on monthly basis to recipients.
Naim, a veterinary graduate from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), said he used social media to share information on Kitty’s FoodBank.
“We want this initiative to spread so that more cat lovers in need of assistance know that there is help for them. I want to help all cat lovers and also ensure that stray cats are protected,” he said, adding that he offered a special rate to individuals who bring in injured stray cats for treatment at his clinic.
Meanwhile, Tuah Cat House owner, Roslina Shari, 46, who set up her cat shelter in 2008 and now has more than 100 stray cats under her care, described the Kitty Foodbank initiative as a saviour of stray cats as it enabled animal shelter operators to continue with their operation.
“Before Covid-19, we received a lot of contributions from various individuals and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), but now it is getting less,” she said.
Besides ensuring food for stray cats, Roslina also brings cats that are injured and infected with sporotrichosis to the animal clinic for treatment.
Currently, there are 12 cats under her care that are being treated for sporotrichosis infection and 89 for other diseases.