The Founder

April Sham started her rescuing work at a very young age due to the influenced of her mom whom is an animal lover cum rescuer herself. Over the years, she has helped many homeless and injured animals in need. She is a person who will never say “NO” when an animal needs her help. She works tirelessly day and night to fight for the welfare of strays in Penang. It was with her determination that Save Our Strays (SOS) – Penang was officially formed in July 2012. Perhaps, Shanti was another reason that gave her strength to kick-start SOS, as she does not want to see more strays suffering the same fate as Shanti’s.

Below was extracted from April’s note on a beloved stray she has once encountered and loved dearly but her fate could not run away from the hands of those dog catchers. Yes, Shanti has now passed on to Rainbow Bridge but we never doubt that one day we will meet again:

Everyone loves Shanti & Boy.

They belong to the whole community and everyone knows them as friends.

Shanti was taken away by our local council.

We missed her so much, especially Boy who has lost his longtime companion.

Boy & Shanti travel everywhere together. Backpackers love them, the beggars at the Kuan Yin Temple love them, and restaurant owners around the area love them, too. Everyone feels happy to see them as they are such gentle creatures.

Shanti sometimes dropped by Muda House alone but she will never eat the food I gave her until she finds Boy to share the food with her.

Every morning they will spend their time at Kuan Yin Temple. Evening time, they will travel to Soho at Penang Road or Reggae Pub at Love Lane to enjoy some music together. The patrons love them and they are always welcome there.

They regularly come to Muda House for food and to take a nap.

But now she has gone.

I can't believe how some uncaring people could make a call to council to tear this loving couple apart.

Boy was lucky to escape as his collar is not tight but poor Shanti had a tighter collar and could not make her escaped.

Now Boy will walk alone for the rest of his life.

Shanti is a hero. She survived a severe fever and the distemper virus but not the hands of the heartless Council.

We once thought the Council was supposed to support the community and improve our lives. Unfortunately, this isn’t the truth as their hands are smear with the blood of innocent lives and countless lives had suffered in their hands. They made us sad and disappointed. Someone should be held accountable for this shameful action.

Message to Shanti:

May you Rest-In-Peace. You will forever be remembered and dearly missed.