In Johor, there is a shelter built on compassion and determination, called Cat Tiram Shelter. Today, it is home to around 300 to 350 cats, all made possible by the dedication of its caretaker, Cik Yunus (Cik Muhammad Yunus bin Ali). Cat Tiram Shelter was founded in 2016. At first, it was only meant to be a safe temporary space for abandoned cats. But as the number of sick and injured strays on the streets continued to grow, Cik Yunus expanded the shelter into what it is today. Many of the cats here were unwanted pets sent over by their previous owners, while others were rescued directly from the roadside.
Our first impression upon visiting Cat Tiram Shelter was how organized and clean it was. With more than 300 cats, one might expect chaos, but every detail is carefully managed. Cik Yunus and his team clean twice a day, morning and evening, without fail, ensuring the cats live in a hygienic environment free of odor and disease. To prevent conflicts, the cats are separated into different areas. Area A houses the older cats, while Area B is reserved for new arrivals to help them adjust. There is also a baby area dedicated to kittens. The shelter prioritizes neutering as many cats as possible, even though each procedure costs nearly RM200. It is a heavy burden, but a necessary step to control the population and prevent future suffering.
Running the shelter comes with a heavy price. Cik Yunus revealed that monthly expenses range between RM12,000 and RM15,000, covering food, medical treatment, and cat litter. The cats consume massive resources each month, with food alone requiring hundreds of kilograms. Without consistent donations, Cik Yunus often has to cover the costs himself. Medical emergencies make the financial strain even worse. While most cats are now healthy, there are always cases that require isolation, treatment, and long-term medication. These additional expenses only add to the burden. When asked about the most difficult period, Cik Yunus recalled the Covid-19 pandemic. Donations dropped sharply, and financial struggles became severe. Yet despite the hardships, he never gave up. “Of course, there are times when we feel exhausted and wonder if we can go on. But when I look at these cats, I know I cannot give up. If we stop, what will happen to them? No one else will take over. So as long as we can, we will keep going.”
Unlike many shelters that hide their address to avoid people dumping cats, Cat Tiram Shelter made a different choice. Cik Yunus believes that being open about the shelter’s location saves more lives. “We made our address public because when people know where to send cats, they won’t just abandon them outside to die. At least here, we can try our best to care for them.” This decision reflects the shelter’s mission, not to turn away responsibility, but to give abandoned cats a fighting chance at survival. Cat Tiram Shelter may not be the largest or most well-funded shelter, but it stands strong because of love, responsibility, and perseverance. Every cat here represents a second chance at life. What the shelter needs most now is support from the community. Every small contribution, whether food, litter, or financial aid, helps lighten their burden. By supporting Cik Yunus, we are also protecting the lives of hundreds of cats who otherwise might not survive. Cat Tiram Shelter reminds us that compassion can transform lives, and with enough helping hands, even the heaviest responsibility becomes lighter.
