7/09/2025

ON SUNDAY September 7, 2025 theSunday Special XII S O , you’re thinking about getting a pet. You’ve seen the additive short reels – cats in hammocks, dogs doing goofy dances and rabbits playing piano. It looks PDJLFDO

Ask yourself: Are you home often enough? Can you afford their healthcare, food and grooming?”

This isn’t meant to scare you. It’s meant WR JURXQG \RX %HFDXVH D SHW LVQ¶W MXVW DQ accessory, a vibe or a phase, it’s a com PLWPHQW ± QRW MXVW WR WKH DQLPDO¶V OLIH but to their wellbeing. Like any meaning IXO UHODWLRQVKLS LW UHTXLUHV WLPH H̆ RUW consistency and a lot of love that shows XS LQ DFWLRQ QRW MXVW D̆ HFWLRQ B HKLQG WKH ¿OWHU Let’s start with what you don’t see in the polished pet content that floods your feed. You don’t see the 3am vet run after a sudden allergic reaction or the frantic panic when your pet goes missing for two hours. You don’t see the frayed rugs, scratched sofas or guilt-laden expressions after leaving them alone too long. Y RX GH¿QLWHO\ GRQ¶W VHH WKH PRQWKO\ EXGJHW DGMXVWPHQWV IRU IRRG JURRPLQJ vaccinations, supplements or the quiet devastation when illness or ageing makes you face decisions you wish you never had to make. Yet, every year, thousands of pets are bought or adopted impulsively in Malaysia, often during festive periods or post-lockdown boredom. Pet cafés are booming, adoption hashtags trend for a week or two. But what happens when the novelty fades? Shelters across the Klang Valley report seasonal spikes in surrenders. It’s not always about cruelty. Sometimes, it’s simply people being overwhelmed. But for the pet left behind, the emotional impact is the same. It’s not about you Here’s the thing. A pet isn’t a fix for loneliness or a lifestyle accessory. It’s a living being with needs, fears, quirks and

it’s a genuinely noble act, it isn’t always straightforward. Many animals, especially those with traumatic pasts, need more WKDQ MXVW D̆ HFWLRQ 7KH\ UHTXLUH VWUXFWXUH patience, rehabilitation and sometimes, professional guidance. Good intentions matter, but taking on more than you can handle doesn’t make you a hero. It can, unfortunately, lead to disappointment for you and distress for the pet. In Malaysia, where most shelter net works are foster-based and volunteer-run, burnout is real. Every pet returned or surrendered adds to that burden. Every mismatch weakens public trust in adop tion systems. Every well-meaning mistake leaves a mark – sometimes on the animal, sometimes on the person, often on both. Actually, you don’t need to own a pet to care about their well-being. There are other ways to contribute – with far less risk to all involved. Fostering is one. Short-term, structured care helps shelters manage space while giving you a glimpse into the real daily demands of pet care. Volunteering is another. Most shelters need help – bathing animals, feeding, cleaning, walking or simply offering companionship to a lonely pup or shy cat. You can also donate to local NGOs or support spay-neuter campaigns. Educat ing others – sharing verified adoption posts, debunking pet myths or simply helping a friend rehome responsibly – PDNHV D GL̆ HUHQFH WRR If you want a pet experience without IXOO UHVSRQVLELOLW\" 2̆ HU WR SHW VLW ,W¶V D real-life preview of what’s involved — fur, mess, schedules and all. B XW LI \RX¶UH VWLOO VXUH You’ve read this far and still feel ready – QRW MXVW IRU WKH VQXJJOHV EXW IRU WKH VWLQN the stress and the full scope of care – then maybe it’s time. Maybe you’re ready for early-morning pee breaks, muddy paws on your tiles, vet UXQV LQ WUḊ F DQG WKH TXLHW MR\ RI KDYLQJ someone who trusts you completely, even when you’ve had a long day. It won’t always be easy. It rarely is. But when done for the right reasons, with full awareness of what’s required, pet ownership is one of life’s most rewarding, grounding, beautiful responsibilities. Pets aren’t tools to soothe our sadness, QRU WURSKLHV WR VKRZ R̆ RXU FRPSDVVLRQ They’re not proof of healing or evidence of VXFFHVV 7KH\¶UH MXVW WKHPVHOYHV 0HVV\ vulnerable, loyal, sometimes demanding, often hilarious and utterly dependent on us for their happiness and health. So, before you commit, be honest. Don’t fall in love with the idea of a pet. Fall in love with the actual work. The routine. The mess. The longevity. The emotional cost. If \RX¶UH UHDG\ IRU DOO RI LW WKHQ PD\EH MXVW maybe, a pet is ready for you too.

Pets can offer joy, but only if you’re ready for the messy, mundane and often heart-wrenching bits too.

Not just cuddles and kibble BY CECELIA FONG

If you’ve ever fallen in love with a furry face online, pause. Read this ƓTUV CPF VJGP FGEKFG KH you’re really ready rhythms. Unless you’re ready to prioritise their needs alongside your own, you may not be prepared. Ask yourself: Are you home often HQRXJK" &DQ \RX D̆ RUG WKHLU KHDOWKFDUH food and grooming? What will you do if your cat hides for a week? Or if your rescue dog chews your skirting boards to cope with anxiety? Are you prepared for ten WR ¿IWHHQ \HDUV RU PRUH RI FRPPLWPHQW" If you’re not sure, don’t rush in. Loving animals doesn’t automatically mean you should own one. There are many ways to be part of the solution without adding pressure to an already strained system. W KDW DERXW DQLPDO UHVFXH mission? At the same time, there’s often an ide alised view of rescuing a pet and while

Pet cafés are booming and adoption hashtags trend for a week or two. But what happens when the novelty fades?