Stray dogs are often stigmatised for their unappealing appearance and predicaments. Nevertheless, there exist local rescuers that are adamant to bring justice, love and care towards these roaming dogs.
Love and hope for every paw
Roaming the streets, a stray dog calls out to another stray, each a companion scouring for hope in tomorrow. But some days are harsher than the day before. The condition of a stray dog on the street is untoward. There are days when there is a pittance for food, and there are days when there is barely enough water to drink.
However, there are days and times, if lucky, they’ll meet a rescuer named Belle. She would caress the stray dogs, feed them and even foster them when she is able to. To date, she has fostered an estimated 80 puppies along her rescue journey and is feeding more than 10 stray dogs every day.
An individual rescuer, Belle has been taking care of her neighbourhood strays since she was 15 years old.
“Back then, my parents used to drive me around to feed the strays and I would use some of my pocket money to buy their food supplies along with the help from my parents,” said the 21-year-old.
To earn an income to feed the strays today, Belle sold homemade pet treats through her Instagram shop — @bakedbypaws. She would also seek public funds once in a while, especially on medications and vet bills as the total can add up to four figures.
Fond of animals since young, Belle tries to help many stray dogs within her capability.
“I find it very fulfilling to help these animals because they get to experience true love from humans after what they’ve been through living in harsh conditions on the streets. They are so special to me and I treat them all equally as I would treat my own pet dog.”
What stemmed her journey as an animal rescuer from a young age was the opportunity given during an adoption campaign when she was 15.
“I remembered dropping by and playing with the puppies. Then one of the committee members at the campaign asked if I wanted to become a volunteer for them. Of course, I said yes, and that is when I learned about rescuing, fostering and everything.”
A new lease of life
In 2020, Belle decided to give the strays a voice through the platform Paws of Hope. The charity platform was established when she was 17 years old to raise awareness, advocate and raise funds to help the strays under her care.
“The majority would turn a blind eye to the problem and allow the injustices to happen. I believe we are the only hope for these strays because we can bring change for them. That was when I decided to raise awareness to the public about the issue, and how to combat it.”
Advising the public, Belle often advocates for pet owners to have their dogs or cats vaccinated on time, as well as to neuter them to prevent unwanted litter or abandonment. Furthermore, the animal rescuer also encouraged the public to adopt rather than shop “because there are so many homeless animals on the street that urgently need a home.”
“There are also dogs or cats available to adopt from the shelters or from any rescuers who have pets ready for adoption. That way it can help rescuers to clear up space for another dog who needs attentive care. By adopting, one can also change the fate of the animal by giving it a new lease of life.”
In eradicating the epidemic rabies that’s happening in Sarawak, Belle said that the government, community, local non-governmental organisations and animal rescuers should work hand in hand by implementing TNVR (trap, neuter, vaccine, release).
“This method has been proven the most effective way to curb rabies by the World Health Organisation,” she said.
Under Paws of Hope, Belle shared that 90 per cent of her community strays have been neutered, and are up-to-date with their core and rabies vaccinations. She also provides them with monthly flea and tick medication, as well as Heartgard to prevent heartworm disease.
On her Instagram page — @pawsofhopemy — she uploads a variety of content ranging from animal adoption posts, justice for animal cruelty, reels of her furbabies, stray feeding and rescuing, fundraising and other random silly yet adorable photos of her furkids.
Strays are as cuddly too
When she was 14, Belle had her pet dog pitbull, and the pet was an eye-opener to her endeavour with dogs. While she loves her pitbull, she can also manifest her love for it to the furry strays in the streets. To her, they are as cuddly as her pitbull.
However, not many within the community can agree with her due to the smell of the strays which are often stigmatised as being dirty or filled with harmful bacteria. But none of those hinders her work in the welfare.
“Honestly, it doesn’t bother me at all when someone comes up to me and tells me the strays are dirty. I will do what I want to do and no one can tell me otherwise. I can always wash my hands with soap right after. These strays have so much love to offer and to me, that is all that matters.”
During her ventures, she has met a majority of strays that grew up with no proper love, shelter or meal so to be loved and cared for is a privilege to them.
“They in return would show their appreciation to you by being the most loyal being ever. All my strays have their own character and trust me, they are as lovable as any other pedigree dog. They can be very clingy and affectionate as well,” she added.
Apart from critiques, Belle also faces adopters who only adopt dogs to suit their preference such as big breed puppies, short-legged, male dogs or guard dogs. Disclosing further, Belle lamented that she would receive messages from people asking the same questions each time she posts up a dog for adoption.
“Due to the high demand from fussy adopters, I have to interview more than 10 random strangers in a day just to find the perfect match for my strays. Sometimes I can’t find the right one so I just keep posting, spreading the news and asking around until I find a potential adopter. It’s not easy but once you find the right person for them, all your hard work gets paid off and it is so rewarding,” she said.
While there are times when it can be a heart-wrenching event as a rescuer, some days are heartwarming to Belle. Among the many memorable moments, she recalled her latest rescue mission involving a dog stuck in a deep drainage ditch, crying and whining for help.
Though nighttime had fallen, Belle recalled feeling determined to rescue the dog.
“Fortunately, my brother and I managed to get help from a kind abang who happened to be collecting recyclables nearby. Without hesitation, he grabbed his ladder and went down into the darkness despite the conditions of the deep drainage. It’s a memorable moment for me because regardless of his religious beliefs, he still stepped up and rescued the dog which not many will do.”
To Belle, she can be attached to a foster puppy after taking care of them for a while. However, she understands that she cannot keep all of them due to the commitment and responsibility. And when they are under her care, alongside the dogs that she cares for, she would require public help.
“Aside from monetary, the public can help me by donating goods like kibbles, wet food, meat, rice and medications (Nexgard/Heartgard/spot-on treatment).”
For those who would like to follow her journey along with the strays she loves and cares about, check out her Instagram page @pawsofhopemy.
