In Malaysia, there is a place filled with love and warmth called SI Home Cat Shelter. It is home to more than 300 cats and over 10 dogs, and all of this has been made possible through the dedication and perseverance of a kind-hearted woman, Kak Ain. SI Home Cat Shelter was founded in 2012. That year, Kak Ain started by taking in about 150 cats in a rumah teres (terrace house). At first, it was simply meant to be a temporary shelter for stray cats. But she soon realized that many strays, once reported, would be sent to a pusat kurungan (holding center). If no one claimed them within two weeks, they would be euthanized. This reality broke her heart, and she decided to save as many as she could. She told us that during her busiest times, she rescued more than 60 cats in a single week. It was this determination that allowed the shelter to grow, expanding from a single rumah teres into the three-story space it occupies today.
When our Soar team stepped into SI Home Cat Shelter, our first impression was how clean it was. Many would expect a place with 300 cats to be chaotic and full of odor, but this was completely different. Kak Ain shared that she and her team begin cleaning every day at 8 a.m. without fail. She wants every cat to grow up in a clean environment, and this commitment reflects her deep respect for life. However, caring for 300 cats is no easy task. Kak Ain admitted that the biggest challenges are not only the physical and emotional toll but also the heavy financial burden. In addition to running the shelter, she holds another job. Her days are filled with work, and her nights are spent caring for the cats. Some are paralyzed or severely ill, requiring special care every day, which exhausts both her and her staff. Yet beyond physical fatigue, what weighs most heavily on her is the emotional stress, because the health of the cats is always tied to her heart. Financially, the shelter receives no government support. Almost all expenses rely on Kak Ain herself and a small circle of kind donors. Rent alone costs RM2,800 per month. Cat food requires 450 kilograms monthly, costing over RM3,000, while cat litter adds more than RM2,000. Staff salaries total between RM8,000 and RM10,000. Without including medical costs, monthly expenses can reach as high as RM25,000. And whenever a cat falls ill, treatment and medication expenses add even more pressure. Anyone would find such numbers overwhelming, yet Kak Ain continues to persevere. Beyond daily care, Kak Ain also emphasizes the importance of neutering. She knows that without neutering, the number of stray cats will only continue to grow, and the problem will never truly be solved. For this reason, the shelter pays special attention to pregnant cats, those who are sick or blind, and those that are paralyzed and cannot care for themselves. These most vulnerable lives are the ones she most wants to protect.
Inside the three-story shelter, each floor is thoughtfully arranged. The first floor houses a small treatment room and the quarantine area for new arrivals, with FeLV-positive cats cared for at the back. The second floor is for healthy cats, already vaccinated and neutered, ready for adoption into new homes. The third floor is for sick cats, who need a quieter space and more delicate care. Some paralyzed cats require daily assistance with urination, a difficult task that is never neglected. When it comes to adoption, Kak Ain does not charge any fees. She believes adoption should be free, but it must come with responsibility. Cats cannot be kept in cages long term, nor allowed to roam outside unsupervised. Her hope is that every cat entering a new home will find genuine love, not another form of suffering.
At the end of our interview, there was one moment that touched us deeply. When asked whether she would still bring sick cats to the vet even if funds were insufficient, Kak Ain replied without hesitation:
“No matter how difficult things are financially, if the cats are sick, we will always take them to the vet.”
This statement moved us profoundly. Because to her, these cats are not a burden, nor just numbers. They are lives worth protecting. SI Home Cat Shelter is more than just a shelter. It represents 13 years of perseverance and love. Through her kindness and determination, Kak Ain has lit a lamp that will never go out for the stray cats. This time, our Soar team also contributed in a small way by donating 10 boxes of cat litter to support her efforts. We hope that this gesture can bring some practical relief and encouragement as she continues her difficult but meaningful journey.
