If animals were the ones writing the history books, a shameful number of people would be written off as bloodthirsty monsters.

Thankfully, there is a group willing to speak out for the strays who can’t do so for themselves.

They are the volunteers of Voice for Paws, who not only rescue strays, but foster them before rehoming them.

Founded in April 2019, Voice for Paws is not a shelter per se but a team of 12 individuals who manage a foster system for the animals they rescue.

“If you look at the shelters in Malaysia, they are overpacked. They lack space, money and resources,” says vice-president Lydia Nathan.

While shelters in other countries are well-equipped and well-funded, local shelters fend for themselves and often struggle to survive.

“If we had a shelter, it would encourage people to dump and abandon their pets because everyone’s expecting the shelter to take the animals in.”

Through Voice for Paws’s foster system, rescued animals are spayed and neutered, then housed with foster families. The rescues stay with these families until they are adopted into their forever homes.

As of last year, over 200 dogs found their forever homes, courtesy of Voice for Paws, as have 20 cats.

Lydia says that she was motivated into action after encountering the many injured and abused strays left to fend for themselves on the city’s streets.

“After returning from my studies abroad, I saw Malaysia’s strays in need of help. It was very sad to see them – just skin and bones,” she says.

She explains that Voice for Paws’s members all have full-time jobs, but promptly respond to calls and social media appeals to rescue strays in need.

Voice for Paws prioritises rescuing animals that cannot fend for themselves, with starving, diseased or injured strays at the top of the list.

Once a rescued animal’s most pressing needs are seen to, they are sent to foster homes.

Nathan explains the difference between adopting and fostering, saying, “Adopting is a long-term decision, while fostering is temporary.”

“When you take a puppy or kitten to foster, you’ll feed it, bathe it, look after it just like your own. And when we have our adoption drives, the fosterer will bring the puppy or kitten to the drive,” she says.

While adoption is the optimal outcome, the fosterer takes the puppy or kitten back into their care if they aren’t adopted.

“If the fosterer ends up adopting, it’s brilliant. In fact, we’ve had a number of dogs and cats whose fosterers ended up falling in love with them,” she says.

To be a fosterer with Voice for Paws, one must be willing to provide space, time and care for the rescued animals.

Success stories abound and Nathan has many to tell.

She recalls how a two-month-old puppy was in critical condition after a container fell on her. “She was tiny and the vet said she’d never walk again, but I said, ‘No’.”

After a round of surgeries and rehabilitation, that same dog which Nathan herself fostered, is now running and frolicking freely with no evidence of her old injuries.

Another was when she heard about a pair of dogs who were caught to be used as live bait in a crocodile farm.

“When I heard that, I freaked out. I was like, ‘What on earth is happening in this country?’” she says.

Thanks to the team’s intervention, the two dogs were saved and have since found loving families.

Covid-19 has been rough on Voice for Paws as physical adoption drives are not allowed during lockdown.

While the team does continue its adoption drives on social media, many people are currently unwilling to open their homes to a pet.

Nathan also noted that the number of abandoned household pets increased in the past year, likely due to the worsening economic situation.

Despite the difficulties, she and her team are pressing on, though some help from the public would be greatly appreciated, she says.

Aside from the usual donations in the form of cash, food and animal supplies, Voice for Paws is on the lookout for fosterers.

So, what keeps the team going despite the constant challenges?

“It’s our genuine love for strays. It’s our passion to help. If I go out and am able to feed one hungry dog or cat, that has already made a difference in their lives,” she says.

“When you rescue a dog, they show you love and loyalty like no other. Even cats show you a lot of gratitude. That’s what makes it worthwhile.”

You can follow Voice for Paws on Instagram or Facebook and help support their effort. Adopt, don’t shop!