H
ousewife Ramlah Darus and her husband Salim Dahri’s daily routine starts at 7 am when they set out to feed the cats they had rescued from the streets, even before they themselves have had their breakfast.
First, they would head for the back portion of their house at Taman Perpaduan Koperasi here where they would be greeted by the hungry cries of dozens of kittens.
After feeding them and cleaning their litter boxes, Ramlah, 62, would ride her scooter to the market to buy some essentials and while there, she would keep an eye out for abandoned cats. If she finds any, she will collect them and place them in a cage which she always brings along.
Meanwhile, Salim, 61, a retired policeman, would head to a shelter near their home, which houses over 150 cats rescued from the market or found on the streets, where he would feed the animals and clean up the place.
“Sometimes I travel outside Ipoh if someone contacts me and informs me about any abandoned cat. I could choose to rest at home at my age but I can’t bear to see these cats left neglected,” said Ramlah when met by Bernama recently.
USED TO LOATHE CATS
Given the couple’s deep devotion to cats, it’s hard to believe they once disliked them intensely.
“We considered them dirty… furthermore, I also suffer from asthma,” Ramlah said, adding everything changed after their second child Fitri, who is now 30 years old, brought home a black cat which he named Tam.
As the number of cats increases, care also becomes more challenging, making Ramlah and her husband start looking for an area to house the stray cats.
“I was furious and my husband was against it too. However, my son insisted on keeping the cat,” she recalled.
She said when her son left home for his further studies later, she had no choice but to take care of the cat. Over time, she began to grow fond of it.
“I then secretly started rescuing stray cats and bringing them home to care for. My husband initially disapproved but eventually warmed up to the idea,” said Ramlah, who began her cat rescue mission about eight years ago.
The mother of six said as the number of cats grew, caring for them became more challenging. This prompted her and her husband to search for a dedicated space to house the cats.
“Thank God, someone was kind enough to donate a plot of land nearby for us to build a cat shelter. We funded the construction ourselves,” she said, adding their expenses for the cats have now increased to around RM1,000 a month.
“My husband is willing to use his pension money to ensure the welfare of these animals, which we see as a charitable act. Thankfully, we also have regular donors who contribute either food or money every month, which greatly helps us continue our mission.”
ASSOCIATION
Ramlah also said she and her husband established a non-governmental organisation called Persatuan Prihatin Kucing Jalanan Ipoh, Perak (Ipoh, Perak Stray Cats Welfare Association) last year together with their like-minded friends and family members who share their passion.
The association not only provides an opportunity for other activists to join them in their efforts to rescue stray cats but also makes it easier to channel donations from the public.
In an area donated by those concerned about them, there is a cat house that houses more than 150 adult "si bulus".
“Honestly, my husband and I cannot afford to take care of the cats on our own. These animals are also creatures of Allah who need care and protection. Every time I share posts about our activities on social media, some kind-hearted people step forward to contribute,” she said.
The couple’s kindness towards strays has not been without criticism, with some questioning why they care for so many cats despite their own financial struggles.
“That’s the challenge. Not everyone agrees with what we’re doing... some neighbours look at us disapprovingly, and there are also those who say if we can’t afford it, we shouldn’t be keeping the cats. But my husband and I are determined to continue doing this as long as we are able,” Ramlah said.
FEWER ASTHMA ATTACKS
Ramlah also shared that taking care of these animals has positively impacted her life, especially her asthma condition.
“I've suffered from severe asthma since my teenage years but in the last few years, I’ve noticed that my asthma attacks have become less frequent, even when I’m exposed to dust and cat fur. Maybe my body has gotten used to being in such an environment.
Salim Dahri and Ramlah Darus stay busy as early as 7am in the back of the house, taking care of the dozens of abandoned or abandoned kittens they have rescued.
“Either way, I believe these cats ‘pray’ for the people who take care of them,” she said.
Ramlah also believes that the positive changes in her life, including staying safe from harm, are a result of taking care of these animals.
“If all the good we’re experiencing is a result of caring for these cats, I’m grateful and content,” she said, her voice tinged with emotion.
Ramlah added that the rising cost of living has also led to an increase in the cats’ food and medical costs.
“We feed them dry food and occasionally, I give them boiled chicken if there is any money left from donations. It becomes even more challenging when there are sick or injured cats. If they need urgent treatment, I take them to a private veterinary clinic, which can be very expensive. We also need funds to maintain the cat shelter.
“To request donations, I usually do a ‘live’ broadcast on social media. There are still people who kindly contribute, but the amount is still insufficient,” she said.
To earn some extra money, Ramlah offers boarding services for cats whose owners are going on pilgrimage, vacations or other trips.
Those wishing to donate can send contributions to Maybank account numbers 558284377416 or 7887889272571091, under the name Persatuan Prihatin Kucing Jalanan Ipoh, Perak, or contact Ramlah at 011-39764493.
