Round of a-paws for helping animal shelters

Volunteers from Tropicana offering their time and energy to help out at My Pets Haven.

PROPERTY developer Tropicana Corporation Bhd lent a hand to support more than 400 rescued pets and strays at My Pets Haven in Setia Alam and PAWS Animal Welfare Shelter in Ara Damansara, both in Selangor.

Organised through the group’s charity arm, Tropicana Foundation, the initiative saw 20 volunteers pitching in to clean cages, prepare food as well as walk and feed the animals.

The foundation donated 380kg of dry pet food, 50 litres of hand wash liquid, 60 litres of bleach and 60kg of soap powder in total.

Tropicana group managing director Dion Tan said this campaign was important to raise awareness of the issue of pet abandonment and stray animals.

“This charitable endeavour marks the growth of Tropicana Foundation as we extend aid to our furry friends.

“Animal welfare is an important issue that needs to be addressed.

“These homeless animals have their rights but strays on our streets equally pose a possible threat to public health in the long term.

“As a society, we all have our roles to play and with this initiative, Tropicana will endeavour to redefine the art of living for both our community as well as animals,” he said.

My Pets Haven founder Aileen Lee emphasised the need for the public to start adopting and stop buying.

She also underlined the importance of spaying and neutering homeless animals to control the population of stray dogs and cats.

She added that My Pets Haven constantly needed funding for food and medical treatment for the animals.

Running the shelter alone, Lee, fondly known as Aunty Aileen, starts her day as early as 5am to walk the dogs, prepare their meals, clean their cages and carry out other chores.

She relies greatly on volunteers for help with all the chores to provide a conducive and clean environment for the cats and dogs at her shelter.

PAWS, the shelter which is currently housing more than 400 cats and dogs, also needs public assistance, either cash or in kind, as well as volunteers.

Tropicana will continue to partner with various shelters in need, underscoring its commitment to continue to engage and uplift the underprivileged segments of society, as part of its sustainable approach to environmental, social and corporate governance principles.