Tucked away in a quiet corner of Rawang lies a place full of warmth and unwavering love — Aunty Sally’s Cat Shelter. Though modest in appearance, this shelter is home to over 160 cats and 3 dogs, and has cared for more than 400 animals over the years.Recently, our SOAR team had the privilege of visiting this shelter and donating 10 boxes of cat litter. It may be a small gesture, but it was our way of showing appreciation for Aunty Sally’s selfless devotion to her furry residents.
The moment we arrived, Aunty Sally kindly asked us to disinfect our shoes. She explained that germs from outside could easily infect the cats, especially the weaker or sick ones — so cleanliness is a must before stepping in.This small act alone showed us how deeply she cares about the wellbeing of every animal in her shelter. As we walked in, Aunty was already preparing chicken for the animals. What touched us the most was that she wasn’t just cooking for the cats and dogs in the shelter, she also feeds the stray cats outside regularly. The chicken she uses is donated by a kind-hearted poultry supplier who brings over two full pallets each time. Aunty cooks once every two days — she prepares the meat today, skips a day, and then cooks again. After boiling the meat, she spends about an hour shredding it into small pieces so it’s easier for the animals to eat. We helped her shred the chicken that day, and even with four people, it still took over 30 minutes. That’s when we truly realized how much effort she puts in, every single day.
Aunty shared with us that her monthly expenses exceed RM10,000, and can go up to RM15,000 when medical emergencies arise. The costs include rent, utilities, vaccines, food, medication for illness and fleas, and of course, cat litter. She told us, “As long as the cats are healthy, I’m happy. But when they fall sick, it really breaks my heart.” Aunty doesn’t open her shelter for adoptions, not because she doesn’t want to, but because she worries about irresponsible owners. She’s seen too many people take in a cat, only to lose interest and abandon them later. “I can’t bear to see them hurt again,” she said. “I’d rather care for them myself than risk them being abandoned a second time.”
We asked her the question that lingered on our minds: Have you ever thought of giving up? Without hesitation, she said, “No. These cats are too pitiful. When they look at me asking for help, I just can’t turn away.” She added, “Even if others give up on them, I will still take them in.” And then, she quietly said a line that stayed with us: “Every hardship can be overcome, one step at a time.” Deeply moved by her words and actions, our SOAR team donated 10 boxes of cat litter in hopes of easing just a little bit of her burden. We know it’s not much, but even small acts of kindness can make a difference. As we unloaded the litter, several cats came up to rub against our legs, as if to say “thank you.” In that moment, we knew that everything was worth it. Aunty Sally’s story is not just about rescuing cats. It’s about love without conditions, strength in solitude, and sacrifice without regret. She may be one person, but she is the whole world to these animals. If her story touched you as much as it touched us, we invite you to help however you can — by donating supplies, volunteering, or simply sharing her story. Because sometimes, it only takes a little kindness to change an animal’s life.
