Recently, we had the chance to visit an animal shelter in Melaka called Shikin’s Team Animal Rescuer, where we donated 10 boxes of cat litter to help support the many furry friends living there. This shelter is currently home to more than 160 cats and several dogs, lovingly cared for by a compassionate woman named Shikin. Her story deeply touched us. Shikin began her rescue work in December 2014. At first, she was simply rescuing and feeding stray cats without knowing the importance of neutering. It was only after attending pet events and learning more about animal welfare that she realized how critical neutering is in reducing the stray population and truly helping animals in the long run.
Almost every month, new cats arrive at her shelter. Some are found during her morning jogs, while others are rescued from municipal council capture operations. For each new cat, Shikin follows a detailed intake process. Every cat is taken to the vet for a health check-up, including tests for panleukopenia virus and coronavirus, deworming, and flea treatment. The cat is then quarantined for two weeks and monitored daily for signs of vomiting, diarrhea, or other symptoms. If anything seems wrong, she takes the cat back to the vet for another check-up. She takes this process very seriously to avoid risking the health of other cats in the shelter. When it comes to adoption, Shikin is also very careful. She asks potential adopters about their experience with cats, why they no longer have a previous pet, and whether it was due to illness, an accident, or allergies. She says, “I don’t want cats to be adopted only to end up neglected.” All adopters are required to fill out a form, provide their identification, and sign a simple agreement. She also follows up to ensure the adopted cats are being well taken care of. In the past, some cats were returned or abandoned again, so now she reminds adopters that if they ever face challenges like going abroad, studying, or financial difficulties, they can always return the cat to her instead of letting it stray.
Shikin shares adoption information mainly through Facebook, Instagram, and Pet Expos. She joins around six to eight expos each year to raise awareness and find homes for her cats. However, she does not disclose the shelter’s address publicly, as it is located in her residential area. Neighbors are concerned about unknown visitors, and during festive seasons, some people have irresponsibly abandoned cats at her doorstep. This creates stress and potential danger, especially since there are dogs in front of the house that might attack unfamiliar cats. Shikin cannot take responsibility for incidents caused by such careless actions. She also shared with us the topic she cares most about: neutering. Shikin explained that many people start with one or two cats, but without neutering, the number can quickly grow to four, six, or more, leading to financial strain and potential abandonment. This creates a never-ending cycle. She strongly encourages all pet owners to neuter their cats and dogs. She also recommends the affordable neutering program by Noah’s Ark called “potong royong,” where the cost is under RM100 and the service is trustworthy.
This visit was not just about making a donation. It gave us a deeper appreciation for the dedication and hard work of front-line animal rescuers. While our 10 boxes of cat litter are just a small gesture, we hope they bring some relief and comfort to the shelter.
