KUALA LUMPUR: More than 30 felines received free vaccination at the 'We Love, We Care' programme organised by the Malaysia Cat Club, in Cheras, here today.
Club president Khalid Rashid said the programme is aimed at educating the public on the importance of caring for stray cats and providing the right care for them, either before or after adoption.
He said there was a significant increase in the number of stray cats on the streets sighted during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period over the last two years.
"We've also been told that many cat owners 'let go' of their pets after facing financial difficulties in caring for them.
"It's heartbreaking, even though we understand the circumstances which led them to having to give up their cats.
"We hope to change this and educate cat owners that there are shelters and help available to assist them via many programmes we've organised in the past and in the future," he said.
The free vaccination programme was held at the Myza Cats Home in Bandar Mahkota, Cheras today in collaboration with the Veterinary Services Department (DVS).
Under the programme, the club also donated cat food to the shelter.
The shelter's founder and owner, Ahzila Muhamad Ibrahim, 47, said there was a time when she housed as many as 150 cats.
"We were unable to organise any adoption programmes during Covid-19. It was challenging for us to just feed the strays on the streets. But we make it a point to bring back and nurse those who were sick and continue feeding healthy stray cats.
"We were relieved when the government lifted the movement restrictions sometime in July. After resuming the adoption programmes, we managed to get around 10 to 15 cats adopted each week.
"Currently, we have about 70 to 80 cats. 30 are healthy while the rest are undergoing treatments and placed at the nursing part of the home," she said.
Myza Cats Home has been operating since 2013 and began collaborating with Malaysia Cat Club recently in organising cat adoption and vaccination programmes.
Ahzila hopes more people would understand the importance of adopting cats instead of buying them as it could save many lives.
"They need love and care. We don't usually understand what led to these cats being on the streets but shelters will always take them in and love them.
"We will make sure they are healthy enough and receive their first vaccine shot before being adopted. We also ensure that they go to loving homes through interviews with future adopters to ensure they won't end up on the streets again.
"This is where the principles applied at our cat home and Malaysia Cat Club are similar, where we dream and hope to realise a stray-free Malaysia in the future," she said.