NILAI: A couple has gone to extraordinary lengths by renting three houses to shelter up to 700 sick and abandoned cats they have rescued.
Nor Izwan Asli, 42, and wife, Ernani Hamis, 40, run their operation at three locations.
Their own home in Putrajaya is reserved for show-quality cats, while two rented houses in Lenggeng, Negri Sembilan and Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, provide shelter for strays and sick cats.
Their journey began in 2015 at a village house in Sungai Besar, Sabak Bernam, Selangor, where they cared for about 30 cats.
As the number of rescues increased, the couple expanded their efforts by renting more premises.
“At our house in Putrajaya, we keep the cats prepared for competitions, and the other two houses are for cats with health issues.
They must be kept apart to prevent the spread of diseases,” Izwan said.
The couple spend more than RM20,000 a month on food, healthcare and workers’ salaries to maintain the three homes.
Most of the rescues are orphaned kittens, pregnant cats, those with disabilities or those suffering from illness.
“We only take in problematic cats from the streets. If they are healthy, we usually just feed them,” he said.
To sustain their rescue work, the couple operate a grooming service, a cat hotel and offer pet transport.
Ernani said food supplies were often funded through winnings from cat shows held nationwide, which they attend every month.
She added that the couple also worked with various groups to organise monthly adoption programmes to control the number of cats.
“Some people misunderstand and think that we sell the cats. The RM200 fee charged is actually for medical treatment and healthcare.
“We also provide new owners with food, equipment and a carrier,” she said.
Ernani said that they were now working on developing a cat park in Ipoh, Perak, to provide rescued cats with a more natural environment.
“These cats need sunlight and nature. Without it, they become stressed and fall ill. The park will give them more freedom. But due to the high costs, we are completing it bit by bit,” she said.
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