MELAKA: An animal rescuer here saved an estimated 400 stray cats throughout 2025, with abandoned kittens making up the majority of the cases.
Norashikin Ahmad, 32, affectionately known as Shikin, said the rescues were carried out at multiple locations across Melaka, highlighting the scale of the stray animal problem in the state.
“The number is considered high for a single year,” she said after receiving 1,600kg of cat food worth RM48,000 from Purina Malaysia in collaboration with Cat Supermarket yesterday, part of a corporate social responsibility initiative to support independent animal welfare efforts.
Norashikin said her rescue work also involved collecting feral cats from local council 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. Food costs are among the biggest expenses,” she said.
She has been actively rescuing dogs and cats since 2014 and currently runs a shelter next to her home in Alor Gajah, housing dozens of cats and some 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.
