With his hearty laugh, twinkling eyes and white beard, he could have easily been mistaken for a real-life Santa Claus, but he was much more than that to the many strays and homeless dogs in the country.

Wanting to be known only as George, fellow rescuers fondly remember him not only for his cheerful demeanour but untiring efforts in saving and rehoming many abused, abandoned and lost dogs.

His son Andrew Sanjay said George had always grown up with dogs and had a natural love for them. But his love for the furry creatures grew even more intense after an incident when a dog was heartlessly dumped outside an animal shelter.

“My parents had gone out one day and noticed this elderly dog tied up to a pole with a short, tight chain. The security guard told them a family left the dog there and didn’t even want to pay a fee to the shelter for taking it in. The dog looked hungry, tired and just plain defeated.”

“Until today, I remember dad telling me in detail how the dog whined and barked at him, baring his soul and pleading for help. They simply could not bear to leave him. So, they took him home.

“Winston was estimated to be about 11 years old and they knew it would be hard to find him a home so they kept him,” Sanjay told FMT.

Sanjay added that over the years his parents rescued and fostered more than 30 dogs, both puppies and adult dogs.

“Dad had such a passion for the strays. My mum would cook food for them every night and they would make their rounds, rain or shine.

“What amazed me was, he never complained or grumbled. No matter how tired he was, he felt alive when he was around these dogs that no one wanted. He showed them so much love and care when no one else would,” he said.

Founder of “DP Strays” Asther Lau said she first met George and his wife Bina when the team was planning a rescue mission in Damansara Perdana.

“George called me out of the blue, I didn’t even know him. But I was so drawn to his enthusiasm and concern for dogs he had never even met.

“During the mission, both he and Bina were tagging an elderly dog called OG. While trying to catch her, she ran away so fast. We used to laugh about how such an old dog could outrun both George and Bina,” she said.

Lau said over the years George became a confidant to them, volunteering to drive out of Kuala Lumpur when needed, doing veterinary runs and educating many on how to trap and look after strays.

“He sacrificed so much for the dogs, but he also loved his wife and son dearly. He would beam with pride when talking about them. This is what we will never forget. He had such a big heart for his family and animals, never giving up on rescuing the dogs or rehoming them,” she said.

However, George passed away suddenly on Nov 5 of a heart attack. He was 64 years old.

A spokesperson for “Voice For Paws”, a rescue group George often worked with, said the team was devastated to hear the news of his sudden passing.

The spokesperson said they would never forget George’s warm nature, and easygoing but determined attitude when it came to helping voiceless creatures.

“George would bring his stool and sit at our drives for sometimes up to nine hours every Sunday. He was also always the last to leave, helping us pack up and clean. No job was too small or dirty for him.

“We are heartbroken at this loss, and we know many people, both rescues and friendly faces at our drives, who will miss seeing him sit by the corner with his latest rescue,” the spokesperson said.

For his funeral, the family said that collectively in lieu of flowers they would appreciate donations going towards the animal groups George played an active role in.

“We know dad would love to still be helping and supporting groups like Voice For Paws, DP Strays, and the countless others he joined when he was around. He will always be remembered for the lives he took off the street and found homes for,” Sanjay said.

Those wishing to pay their last respects to George may do so today, Nov 16 from 2:00pm to 8:00pm at the Gui Yuan Funeral Crematorium in Petaling Jaya.

His funeral will be held on Wednesday, Nov 17 at 12pm. To receive the link to the livestream of the funeral service, WhatsApp : 012-3120309.