Category: Thoughts

  • Why is it so hot these days?

    The powers-that-be in my area are going on a massive tree-chopping spree and some of these trees are very old and have provided shade for us humans for decades, maybe even generations, and is the home of many, many birds and other critters. Many people are speaking up and protesting, but do the powers-that-be bother…

  • Our vision for our future

    A friend shared this photo. It is a scene from Marmaris, Turkey. These beautiful statues depict our vision for the future, where one day, humans will live harmoniously with street animals with humans taking the lead in caring for them. One day… But it has to start now, with us. I bet this cat agrees!!

  • We have changed our tagline!

    After living and using our tagline “Working Together for the Animals” since our inception on 31st May 2009, we felt it was good and apt to change our tagline to reflect what we have been and will be working hard for. Hence, this is our new tagline now: And we love it!!

  • From Mr Jackson Galaxy- let a cat BE a cat!

    I thought Mr Jackson Galaxy would have a video on tips to toilet train cats. On the contrary, I came across his video entitled “why you should not toilet training your cat”! An update: Mr Galaxy was referring to training a cat to use the toilet bowl. Of course we won’t do that! Take a…

  • Is owning pets ethical?

    This piece really invites deep reflection: https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2023/4/11/23673393/pets-dogs-cats-animal-welfare-boredom The writer asks us to contemplate if “fewer pets will result in happier pets” and how we should provide our pets with enrichment opportunities which are in tune with their natural instincts. Perhaps, as the article says, quoting Jackson Galaxy, building catios in our compound and even inside our…

  • CNRM vs Shelters, and the importance of neutering

    I’m going to discuss two issues in this post. CNRM vs Shelters and the importance of getting our animals neutered.  CNRM vs Shelters – which one helps the animals more? There is no right or wrong answer as each one has its advantages and disadvantages. CNRM where the R = Return to Colony (and not…

  • Reflections about how animals think and feel

    Recently, a good friend of mine attended an animal communication course. I was really excited to learn from him what he had learnt. He says it is only his first course, so he doesn’t claim to know a lot. Not yet. The course, by the way, is conducted in Mandarin, so there’s no way I…

  • Were the dogs provoked?

    I saw a news report on an area which has a colony of stray dogs. Some residents claimed that they were attacked by the dogs. A representative, who, by the way, claimed that he was a dog lover, said something has to be done and has urged the authorities to “do something”. Names of the…

  • Why the world suffers

    My encounter in the last two days made me think of this quote by Napoleon Bonaparte: The world suffers because of the silence of good people. There are animal lovers in my neighbourhood who agree with what I do. There are neighbours who think the complainant was being very unreasonable, and yet, nobody chose to…

  • Feeding street animals

    Here are a few things I learnt from a friend who “knows”. (1) It is not an offence if you feed street animals inside your house compound. But best to keep the area very clean and do not leave scraps around. (2) It may or may not be an offence if you feed street animals…

  • Keeping it simple (just be an example)

    Certain events have motivated me to write this blogspot to share my thoughts. If you are reading this, I know it is because you care for animals. Otherwise, you wouldn’t even come to this blog. Prior to GE15 and right after, we wrote to the politicians, to try, yet again, to request that they do…

  • More reflections on the Kuala Langat issue (Part 2)

    A continuation from this: https://animalcare.my/2023/01/12/the-press-release-by-the-kuala-langat-council/ I was discussing with a friend who is very experienced in the field of rescue and animal issues. He opines that feeders should keep it small and sustainable. Do 2-3 animals, look after them well, and then just repeat the cycle. This is true. That is why we have always promoted…

  • The press release by the Kuala Langat council (Part 1)

    I was on my way to watch a jazz performance this evening when I received a forwarded whatsapp from a friend with a very disturbing video. It was about the dogs at the Kuala Langat pound. Of course the news was very disturbing and extremely sad. I trust all of you would have seen the video…

  • Animal rights vs Animal Welfare: Knowing the difference

    Here’s an article that explains it well: https://myethicalchoice.com/en/journal/animal-welfare/animal-rights-vs-animal-welfare/#:~:text=Animal%20welfare%20is%20a%20pro,entertainment%2C%20experiments%2C%20and%20others. So, in short, according to this article, animal welfare refers to the responsibility of humans to take care of their animals. They’re responsible for the animal’s physical and mental needs. Simply put, they need to make sure the animal is healthy, comfortable, and not suffering from pain, fear, or…

  • The intolerant and unreasonable humans

    I’d like to share a story by a friend recently: There is this colony of cats in my neighborhood here. This area used to be bare land, and the colony was already here. Over the years, some people dumped their cats here as well. I was told that there were about 20 cats many years…