Heroes Devoted to Helping the Country’s Strays

Grace Bong

Grace Bong became a guardian angel for strays in Seremban thanks to Happy, a dog who wandered into her home one day, bleeding from a head injury.

Despite her fear of blood, she mustered the courage to take the dog to the vet. Thankfully, the canine recovered and was eventually rehomed.

Inspired by this experience, Bong began to rescue many more dogs and eventually founded an animal shelter called “Choy Yun Gao”, Cantonese for “stray dogs”.

To donate or to learn more, follow Choy Yun Gao on Facebook.

Viriya Raman

For the past 14 years, Viriya Raman, fondly known as Viriya Appu, has dedicated his evenings to feeding around 100 stray dogs in the Gombak area. Rain or shine, on weekends and on public holidays, he shows up with food for the dogs who greet him with wagging tails.

Viriya, who works as a lorry driver by day, also cooks for these dogs. He supplements their food with kibbles to ensure that there’s always enough to go around. The costs are high – around RM300 daily – but he is committed to carry on.

Beyond feeding, Viriya has also helped neuter close to 40 of these dogs, covering the medical costs out of his own pocket.

If you’d like to donate rice or kibbles, contact Viriya at 012-380 9417.

Chew Huay Shan

Chew Huay Shan founded Strive for Animals Welfare Association (SAW) in 2014 with a group of animal lovers. The association operates a tranquil animal shelter in Semenyih, nestled among lush greenery, offering their furry residents lots of fresh air throughout the day.

One of the animals that found hope in the shelter is Bobby, who lost a leg to an animal trap. When he first arrived, the canine appeared to have given up on life. But with the SAW team’s care, he recovered, and regained his will to live.

Apart from running the shelter, Chew and her team also feed stray animals and carry out TNR initiatives.

To donate or for more information, visit Strive for Animals Welfare Association’s website, Instagram or Facebook. You can also send a WhatsApp message to 010-293 8551.

Kalaivanan Ravichandran

Kalaivanan Ravichandran is the founder and president of Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia (SAFM), an NGO dedicated to animal advocacy.

SAFM uses social media to raise awareness, spotlighting cases of animal cruelty on their Facebook, Instagram and TikTok platforms, with their over 30,000 followers.

SAFM also aims to make lives better for strays through feeding and TNR programmes besides facilitating adoption processes, so more strays can find forever homes.

To learn more about Persatuan Haiwan Terbiar Malaysia (SAFM), click here.

Paul Yong

Rescuing animals can often feel unrewarding, requiring many sacrifices that often go unnoticed. Yet, animal rescuers leave a lasting impact. Such was the legacy left by devoted animal rescuer, Paul Yong.

Popularly known on social media as “Karma Paul”, Yong passed away from a heart attack on Oct 8 at only 41 years old.

Passionate about saving injured and sick homeless animals, Yong was still fundraising for 23 dogs and settling vet bills just hours before his death.

His kindness extended to the animal-rescue community: he helped fellow rescuers with fundraising efforts, and shared his knowledge with new ones.

His compassion continues to inspire others, serving as a reminder of the lasting difference one kind person can make to the lives of many others.

Conclusion

These heroes, and many others like them, are making a significant difference in the lives of stray animals in Malaysia. Their selfless efforts are a testament to the power of compassion and kindness. As we celebrate their dedication, we are reminded that every small act of kindness can have a profound impact on the lives of those around us.

FAQs

Q: How can I help stray animals in Malaysia?

A: You can start by volunteering at local animal shelters, donating to reputable organizations, or spreading awareness about animal welfare issues on social media.

Q: What are some ways to help stray animals?

A: You can help stray animals by feeding them, providing shelter, or participating in TNR initiatives. You can also support organizations that work to rescue and rehabilitate stray animals.

Q: How can I get involved with animal rescue efforts?

A: You can get involved with animal rescue efforts by contacting local animal shelters or organizations that work with stray animals. You can also join online communities or social media groups dedicated to animal rescue and welfare.