Shelter president Jeskiran Kaur Bhat invites Malaysians to support the organisation by purchasing its coloured 2022 planner, which features photos of adorable furkids at RM50 per copy.
“We’ve printed 500 copies but, so far, we’ve only managed to sell about half that,” she tells FMT.
The shelter also launched a monthly food sponsorship programme to stay afloat.
“We urge the public to come forward and contribute on a monthly basis, in any amount. It is extremely important for us to have consistent donations,” says the 38-year-old.
Donations of kibble, canned food, rice, meat dust, and chicken liver are also welcome.
On Dec 20, FurryKids Safehaven sent a team to Sri Muda, Shah Alam, to help animals stranded by the floods.
“We initially assumed the floodwaters would subside after a couple of hours, as they did in recent years,” Jeskiran says. “But someone on site informed us there were many boats in the area, yet no one was helping to rescue the dogs.”
Many people also contacted the shelter to provide addresses and photos of homes with pets that needed rescuing.
According to Jeskiran, some of these animals were stranded on rooftops and were hanging on for dear life.
“Many were also badly dehydrated and were found hyperventilating due to the heat,” she says.
In all, FurryKids Safehaven managed to rescue 50 dogs – 30 of which were brought to its shelter – and 13 cats. Some of them have since been reunited with their owners, while others have been taken in by fosterers.
“There were pictures of these missing pets on social media, which enabled us to reunite some of the dogs with their owners,” Jeskiran explains.
The team also posted photos on FurryKids Safehaven’s social media, as well as the “Rescued Pets 2021″ Instagram page.
Jeskiran says the rescued animals were treated for distemper and parvovirus – two highly contagious and potentially fatal diseases – “as we don’t want our dogs at the shelter to be put at risk”.
Building anew
This month, FurryKids Safehaven will be foregoing their regular adoption drive to focus on completing the construction of their new shelter.
The organisation relocated to its current location last year after their previous shelter in Mambau was badly damaged in a flash flood in November 2020 – a tragic event that resulted in the deaths of 54 dogs.
“We are trying to get the office, clinic and surgery room built,” Jeskiran says, adding that they need additional funds to buy equipment for the latter room.
Jeskiran reveals they initially put construction on hold as they had to build 30 kennels for the dogs they rescue in Seremban daily.
“These dogs first have to be quarantined for two weeks before they’re allowed to come in contact with the others in the shelter, as we don’t know if they’re infected with viruses,” she explains.
FurryKids Safehaven will be looking for volunteers once they resume their weekly activities, and those interested can get in touch with them on social media.
“I also want to ask people to have more empathy towards strays because life isn’t easy for them,” Jeskiran adds.
“If you can’t be kind, then at the very least, don’t be unkind.”
FurryKids Safehaven’s 2022 planners make great gifts for friends and family, and can be ordered here.
For more updates visit its website, as well as Facebook and Instagram accounts.