On October 7, 2024, the SOAR team visited Negeri Sembilan to deliver a donation of ten boxes of cat litter to a compassionate couple, Abang Izwan and Kak Ernani. This couple has dedicated their lives to animal rescue work since 2014, and today, they are among the most recognized independent rescuers in the southern region of Malaysia. With strong determination and deep compassion, they have given a second chance at life to thousands of cats and dogs that were once abandoned and in need of protection. Currently, they manage three cat shelters located in Negeri Sembilan, Cheras, and Putrajaya, as well as dog shelters in Pahang and Sabah.
Each shelter houses more than 300 cats. The environment is clean and well-organized, allowing the cats to play, rest, and enjoy the sunlight freely. Cleaning is carried out three times a day to ensure hygiene and good ventilation. Health management is also given great attention; cats with serious illnesses are isolated, while those with minor conditions such as flu or eye infections are treated regularly. Despite the large number of cats, all shelters remain clean, safe, and well-maintained. This effort began from a simple act of sympathy, which was feeding stray cats, and gradually grew into a mission of love and responsibility to save more lives.
The shelters are entirely self-funded, with monthly expenses reaching RM20,000, covering food, cat litter, medicines, and veterinary treatments. In addition to small contributions from friends and family, they also operate grooming, boarding, and pet-sitting services to sustain daily needs. Besides caring for cats, they also rescue and care for dogs at shelters in Sabah and Pahang. Throughout their rescue journey, they have faced many challenges but remain steadfast in their compassion for animals. Every month, they organize adoption programs to give cats a chance to find new homes, where all adoptable cats are neutered, de-fleaed, and dewormed to ensure good health before adoption. During this visit, SOAR donated ten boxes of tofu cat litter to support the shelter’s daily maintenance needs. Although the donation may seem small, it holds great meaning as cat litter is one of the essential supplies in maintaining cleanliness. From merely feeding stray cats to successfully managing three shelters and saving thousands of lives, Abang Izwan and Kak Ernani have proven that animal rescue is not merely an act of compassion but a belief that every living being, regardless of size or species, deserves love and respect. Through efforts like this, SOAR hopes to raise public awareness about the importance of animal protection and inspire more people to share kindness and compassion with all living creatures.
