Ruff Love Malaysia is one such organisation seeking the public’s kindness to help settle their mounting expenses.
Founded in August last year by Gabrielle Geetha and Arman Haider, the organisation rescues abandoned and stray animals, and fosters them until they are healthy before finding them forever homes.
To date, the rescuers have held 19 pet adoption drives and successfully rehomed more than 200 dogs and cats. But it’s a lean team and funds are drying up fast.
Apart from founders Eric Chappell and Jenn Ngan, the group consists of only two other members. So far, all expenses have been funded by the four of them together with donations from the public.
Now, the organisation has outstanding veterinary bills of RM5,500; boarding bills of RM1,200, as well as monthly food expenses of RM1,500.
“We have accumulated vet bills because when we have emergency cases, we rush them to the vet. We also send animals for spaying and required treatments,” Gabrielle, 26, told FMT, adding that many of their rescues are still waiting to be spayed and neutered.
The picture isn’t pretty. In fact, it’s downright heartbreaking.
She recalled rescuing a male cat with a mange infection so severe, it caused nerve damage. The cat, which she named Tuxy, now suffers from vestibular neuritis, a condition that causes vertigo, dizziness and seizures which require medication.
“When he is exposed to bright lights, his eyeballs will start moving from side-to-side continuously. So, we have to keep him in the dark and even away from loud noises,” she shared.
Talking about the abused and abandoned animals that Ruff Love has rescued, she said: “There are two terrier schnauzers, both females, and previously used for breeding. They are in terrible condition. I think they are slightly older now and can’t breed, so they were abandoned.”
To date, Ruff Love has 26 animals looking for their forever homes. And because they don’t have enough space to house all of them, some have had to be boarded, another expense that they can ill afford.
“We currently have four dogs in boarding,” she said, adding that they are also looking for fosterers who can give their animals a temporary home until permanent homes are found.
Ruff Love is also in urgent need of food for the animals in their care. Among the recommended food brands are “Royal Canin pediatric weaning’ (kitten); “Royal Canin medium adult” (adult dog) and “Royal Canin Fit 32” (adult cat). “However, we welcome donations of similar brands,” she added.
They also need “heartgard” and “nexgard”. The former helps to prevent heartworms, while the latter addresses fleas, ticks, and mites in dogs.
For the cats, Ruff Love is looking for donations of cat litter like “Cindy & Friends tofu litter” instead of crystal or sand litter.
Any help is appreciated
For the organisation, no donation is too small. So they are appealing to animal lovers to help them settle their outstanding bills so that they can continue their rescue efforts.
Gabrielle also touched on the importance of neutering, stressing that it was the only way to prevent the overpopulation of strays.
“If every Malaysian spayed one dog or cat, we would have a lot less strays on the street. So, if you have an opportunity to spay an animal, do it. If you are unable to do it yourself, come to us and we are more than happy to help you.
“Also, don’t be mean to animals. You may not like them, but you don’t have to hurt them.”
To contribute towards Ruff Love, make your donation directly to Geetha a/p Shanmuganathan, Maybank account number: 1641-5561-3331.
Pet Adoption Drive
Twenty Fourty Six 2046
54, Jalan SS23/11
Taman Sea
47400 Petaling Jaya
Date: Dec 17-18
Time: 11.00am to 5.00pm
Learn more about Ruff Love Malaysia on Facebook and Instagram.