MELAKA: An animal rescuer in Alor Gajah here saved an estimated 400 stray cats throughout 2025, with abandoned kittens forming the majority of cases.
Norashikin Ahmad, 32, who is affectionately known as Shikin, said the rescues were carried out across multiple locations in Melaka, reflecting the scale of the stray animal issue in the state.
“Most of the cats were taken from different areas, and the number is considered high for a single year,” she said after receiving 1,600kg of premium cat food worth RM48,000 from Purina Malaysia in collaboration with Cat Supermarket at Paya Rumput here on Monday (Jan 5).
The contribution was made under a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at supporting independent animal welfare efforts.
Norashikin said her rescue work also involved collecting feral cats from local authority compounds before housing and caring for them at her shelter.
"This donation helps to reduce our financial burden and ensures the animals receive nutritious food,” she said, adding that food costs were among the biggest expenses in running the shelter.
She has been actively rescuing dogs and cats since 2014 and currently operates a purpose-built shelter next to her home in Alor Gajah, housing dozens of cats and about 50 dogs.
Norashikin said sustained support from the public and private sectors was crucial as the number of stray and abandoned animals continued to rise.
