Puspa to the Rescue

By YIP YOKE TENG
Photos by ROHAIZAT MD DARUS


T. PUSPA Rani has no regrets giving up her career as a chartered accountant to run Malaysia Independent Animal Rescue (MIAR), a non-governmental organisation she set up more than a year ago.

To her, she is not just saving cats and dogs, but lives.

Puspa and the volunteers at the shelter save animals from abusive owners and the public. To do so, they often risk their own safety.

MIAR’s biggest challenge is dealing with hostile humans. Most are not cooperative, and her team often has to forcibly enter premises with the help of the police.

In the course of her work, Puspa has been chased by parang-wielding men, tailgated when she was pregnant, locked behind boom gates and interrogated by security guards.

What will my future be?: Puppies snuggle up in T. Puspa Rani's hands, the mother of the puppies was saved in time. Malaysia Independent Animal Rescue's worker Avinash Singh looks on.
What will their future be?: A puppy snuggles up in Puspa Rani’s hands while Avinash Singh, a worker at the shelter looks on. The mother of these puppies was rescued in the nick of time.

But she is determined to continue, knowing that animals have no way of sending out distress calls or making themselves heard when hurt.

“Each rescue has a poignant story behind it,” said the 37-year-old mother of three.

“Jacky was hit incessantly by his owner with a hoe; Slash’s back was badly slashed, hence his name; Princess was dumped after excessive breeding, she was in such horrible shape that no one could tell she was a Siberian husky!” she said.

Many may feel sorry on seeing such sights but it takes real courage to rescue these animals and shoulder the responsibility of taking care of them.

Puspa uses the car her husband gave her as a Christmas present to rescue the animals. The car seats were stained by the blood of an injured dog on its second day of use.

She initially rented a corner link house to place the rescued dogs and cats. When the shelter was registered, a larger property in Kajang was found for the animals.

A team of volunteers and three workers maintain the shelter, which now has close to 100 dogs.

Even enforcement officers have been impressed with the shelter’s set-up and cleanliness while conducting spot checks.

In fact, the spacious playpen for the dogs to roam free can cheer up just about anyone.

Puspa faces much stress as she receives calls almost every day, or strays are dumped at her doorstep.

Her efforts have taken her to places as far as Sungai Petani, Kedah.

She also has to foot the veterinary bills, which can amount to RM15,000 a month.

“The bills are a major burden, which is why I try to treat the wounds myself whenever I can.

“I have learned to handle maggot wounds and other light injuries, and some friends say I have a magic touch. I guess tender, loving care can do magic,” she said.

The cruelty she has to witness is depressing.

“Honestly, I cry a lot. But I know I have to be strong. The dogs are not fierce, they are scared because of the horrible things people have done to them. We have to gain their trust when we approach them, and they don’t bite us.”

In fact, Puspa Rani gets more hostility from humans — not just the abusers but also those who feel inconvenienced by her rescue efforts, such as one who poisoned her dog.

Restoring the dogs to good health keeps Puspa Rani going. Miracles have happened, too.

One dog by the name of Angel was paralysed, and two vets had said she could not be healed.

But a patient Puspa gave Angel a massage every day and the dog managed to walk again 40 days later.

The animals at MIAR need people to adopt or foster them.

MIAR also urgently needs sturdy large cages, donations to cover its monthly expenses and a van to rescue more animals in distress.

For information, go to www.facebook.com/pages/Malaysia-Independent-Animal-Rescue/-132282193542235