Animal Rescuer Starts Anew After Bintulu Floods
A Night of Chaos and Rescue
It had just started drizzling when animal activist and content creator Francis Ngu Hown Hua – popularly known as “Daddy Bella” among his social media followers – finished his evening routine of feeding stray dogs here on the eve of Chinese New Year. On his way home to Taman Bandar Jaya, the piercing wail of the flood warning siren suddenly shattered the air. Strong winds howled and an unusually heavy downpour battered Bintulu town.
The Aftermath
By the time he woke up on the morning of January 29, floodwaters had already surged into his housing area. Alarmed, he rushed to check on his grocery store on the ground floor of the nearby Pine Court apartments, only to find the area flooded, water reaching up to his chest. His concern was not for his inventory but for the stray animals sheltering inside – three dogs and two cats.
Rescuing the Strays
Struggling to push open the door to his shop, Ngu barely had time to react before Panjang the dog leapt out. Momoi, another dog, was precariously perched on a floating fridge, while the two cats Noty and Simba remained safe inside a cage. But Tam Tam, his black dog, was initially nowhere to be seen. Thankfully, Ngu found the pooch perched atop a stack of rice packs, trembling but safe. If he had arrived just 30 minutes later, he could have lost all the animals.
The Impact
Having ensured they were alright, Ngu turned his attention to the other strays around Pine Court. With the help of fire and rescue personnel who came in a boat, Ngu searched for the canines but couldn’t locate them. After the firemen left the area to evacuate other residents, Ngu received help from members of the recreational Tubau Club, who were there with their longboat to assist in evacuation efforts. They finally rescued Unicorn, Luna, Nekma, Baby Sipan, Lala, and Rocky from different spots in the vicinity. The pooches were exhausted – an indication that they had been struggling to save themselves from the swift floodwaters.
Rebuilding and Renewal
Only after ensuring the safety of the strays did Ngu pause to take in the extent of the devastation. Everything in his grocery shop had been destroyed. “I lost my livelihood, but it is OK as long as the furballs are safe,” he said in one of the several videos he uploaded on Facebook documenting his efforts in rescuing strays during the Bintulu floods.
A New Beginning
While he has accepted his losses with grace, Ngu – who has 216,000 followers on Facebook – could not help but wonder how he would rebuild his business, the proceeds from which have helped him feed 70-80 strays around town for over 10 years. Thankfully, netizens have since come forward to help Ngu restart his business. Loyal followers have donated money, while close friends and even residents from the Bintulu Orphanage Welfare Complex volunteered to clean his shop.
Conclusion
As Ngu looks to the future, he remains committed to his mission of helping those in need, both human and animal. With the support of his community, he is determined to rebuild and continue making a difference in the lives of those around him.
FAQs
* How can I support Francis Ngu Hown Hua’s mission?
+ Follow him on Facebook and become a subscriber
+ Donate to his crowdfunding campaign
+ Volunteer with him in his animal rescue efforts
* What is Francis Ngu Hown Hua’s current focus?
+ Rebuilding his grocery store and animal shelter
+ Continuing his mission of helping those in need, both human and animal
* How can I get involved with Francis Ngu Hown Hua’s animal rescue efforts?
+ Follow him on Facebook for updates and opportunities to get involved
+ Reach out to him directly to inquire about volunteer opportunities
+ Donate to his crowdfunding campaign to support his mission