01/02/2026

ON SUNDAY February 1, 2026 theSunday Special III

Awareness of adoption has definitely increased, but lifestyle changes are reshaping how Malaysians choose pets.”

The changing face of adoption In the last decade, Malaysia’s pet welfare landscape has shifted dramatically. More people understand the value of adopting rather than buying and social media has DPSOL¿HG WKH PHVVDJH LQ ZD\V VKHOWHUV could only dream of in the 1990s. Yet the reality on the ground remains com plicated. “The awareness towards adoption has GH¿QLWHO\ LQFUHDVHG EXW OLIHVW\OH FKDQJHV are reshaping the way Malaysians choose pets,” Yeoh said. Young urbanites are moving into con dos and apartments with strict rules on pet size or number. Older Malaysians living in landed homes might have more space, but many either already have pets or feel unable to start the journey again. Then there’s the elephant in the room: Designer and purebred pets. Demand remains high, fuelled by social media aes thetics, breed trends and a market eager to supply. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with choosing a purebred pet from a responsible breeder, shelters like PAWS hope Malaysians will at least consider the thousands of mixed-breed animals waiting patiently for homes. One persistent misconception keeps popping up. “A lot of people assume animals at shelters must be problematic or have some issue. But that’s simply not true,” Yeoh said. Before any dog or cat is put up for DGRSWLRQ VKHOWHU VWD̆ DVVHVV WKHLU KHDOWK and temperament. Some animals arrive timid or anxious, especially if they’ve been mistreated or left fending for themselves for too long. Others are heartbreakingly trusting from the moment they walk in. Many are surrendered through no fault of their own – the owner had to move, someone lost a job, a family breakup happened, or a pet simply wandered too far from home one day and never found its way back. At PAWS, rehabilitation is part of the mission.

“Animals with trauma get all the time they need. Those with illnesses receive the veterinary treatment required,” he added. The goal isn’t to fix them overnight but to help them rediscover safety and FRQ¿GHQFH What responsible adoption really looks like Here’s a truth many Malaysians don’t realise: Pet adoption is surprisingly straightforward, but that doesn’t mean shelters rush the process or encourage on-the-spot decisions. The process begins with a form and a modest adoption fee. Then, the heart of the decision lies in the conversation between the potential adopter and the VKHOWHU VWD̆ “We always have an interview to as sess suitability. A responsible adopter is someone who doesn’t rush the choice,” he explained. Some adopters visit the shelter once a week for a month. Others make multiple trips in a single weekend to walk the same dog or sit quietly with the same cat, trying to understand if they connect. Yeoh welcomes this. Spending time with the animals, he said, helps adopters make decisions they can stand by for years. The emotional cost of caring Running a shelter is not for the faint KHDUWHG 7KH FKDOOHQJHV SLOH XS ± ¿QDQFLDO operational, emotional and there are days when it feels like a losing battle. Yeoh doesn’t sugarcoat it. “All of the above,” he said when asked what the toughest part is. D RQDWLRQV ÀXFWXDWH ZLWK WKH VHDVRQ the economic climate and public attention. Yet the animals’ needs don’t pause be FDXVH IXQGV DUH ORZ 6WD̆ DQG YROXQWHHUV face the emotional strain of seeing animals come and go, some adopted, others not so lucky. “It can take a toll, so it’s important to focus on the bigger picture and the shelter’s mission,” he admitted.

There are many reasonable reasons for surrendering animals, but the surrender spike during every major festive season is unfortunately consistent.

Operationally, running PAWS is a constant balancing act – ensuring the ani mals receive proper care, managing space constraints, coordinating volunteers and maintaining hygiene in a facility that never truly sleeps. Yet, despite everything, the team keeps going. Ask Yeoh about the most memorable success story and he doesn’t list any particular dog or cat. “Every adoption stands out. Each one is a pinnacle of what we do,” he said. That may sound simple, but in a shelter context, it’s powerful. Each successful adoption is a victory against the odds – a life redirected, a new family formed, a space freed for another animal in need. While social media helped skyrocket trends for purebred and designer pets, it has also transformed the shelter eco system for the better. PAWS and other organisations can now reach thousands of potential adopters with a single post. Lost pets are reunited faster, abandoned litters ¿QG KHOS PRUH TXLFNO\ DQG HGXFDWLRQDO content spreads at lightning speed. “It’s one of the most effective tools for raising awareness and getting the community involved,” he said. Shelters now use Instagram stories, TikTok clips and Facebook albums to in troduce adoptable pets. Even shy animals ¿QG WKHLU YRLFH RQOLQH WKDQNV WR FUHDWLYH volunteers who write witty captions or re cord gentle behind-the-scenes moments. What Malaysians can do to help When asked what would make the biggest GL̆ HUHQFH

through funding, policy and legislation that encourage adoption and promote responsible pet ownership. “It’s great for their psyche and yours too,” he said. T LSV IRU ¿UVW WLPH DGRSWHUV If you’re thinking of adopting, Yeoh’s There’s a wealth of reputable articles and tutorials online that explain ev erything – from daily care and feeding schedules to behavioural needs and long-term responsibilities. • Take your time V LVLW WKH VKHOWHU WDON WR WKH VWD̆ DQG LQWHUDFW ZLWK GL̆ HUHQW DQLPDOV 'RQ¶W IHHO SUHVVXUHG WR FKRRVH RQ \RXU ¿UVW visit. “Multiple visits help ensure you’ve found the right match,” he said. The future of adoption in Malaysia Malaysia’s animal adoption story isn’t perfect. Still, it’s changing – shaped by growing awareness, stronger community involvement and people like Yeoh who continue to fight for the animals that cannot speak for themselves. In the end, adoption is more than choosing a pet. It’s choosing compassion, hope and the chance to make life a little kinder for a creature that has been waiting patiently for someone to come along. If you’ve ever thought about it, maybe this weekend is a good time to visit your local shelter. A cat might blink slowly at you from a corner, or a dog might wag LWV WDLO VR KDUG LW FRXOG VZHHS WKH ÀRRU Who knows, you might walk away not just with a new pet, but with a new story of your own. advice is straightforward. • Do your research

Pet adoption at PAWS is a straightforward process.