An animal lover’s inspiring pet project
Metro, 21 Nov 2005

Abandoning the offspring of your cats and dogs is inhumane. And, if you think they can have a better life in animal shelters, think again. We need to educate the public on the need to neuter their pets. Our laws on animal rights need to be amended. One woman is hoping to do all that through a project called Malaysia’s first 365 Days Cat and Dog Calendar 2006. BAVANI M has the story 

MILAGO, a tiny kitten, was found in a drain near a warong (stall) on May 16 after a downpour. His rescuer, Sasha Bashir, was told that his chances of survival were slim.  

Determined not to give up on the kitten, Sasha took him to work so that she could feed him every few hours and keep an eye on him. 

He seemed to be improving, but, sadly, on June 1, Milago died. 

Finito, an adorable long-haired, doe-eyed canine, was the apple of 70-year-old Ramona Ramani’s eye. 

Ramona was devastated when Finito died, but she found joy again when Simba, a stray cat, sauntered into her life. 

A special tribute to Milago and Simba can be seen on May 16 and June 1, and March 16, respectively, inside Malaysia’s first 365 Days Cat and Calendar 2006, while that to Finito can be found on April 16 in Malaysia’s first 365 Days Dog Calendar 2006, which are currently on sale. 

There are tributes and dedications of love from hundreds of pet lovers in the calendars, which also contain pictures of cute kittens and puppies that are sure to melt even the hearts of non-animal lovers.  

The calendars are a pet project of animal lover Sherrina Krishnan of Rhinowrites Communication to inspire people to contribute towards animal welfare in their own special way.  

Apart from allowing animal lovers to show their love for their pets, the calendars aim to generate awareness of and educate the public on pet care and animal welfare in general. 

“I wanted to find a way to get people to celebrate animals and contribute to their well-being.  

“All animals are equal; we wish we could save them all. We wish we could do more about stray and abandoned cats and dogs out there,” said Sherrina.  

The cat and dog calendars, which were recently launched, feature 365 images of felines and canines, respectively. 

“We hope the calendars will inspire people to do things for animal care that have not been done before, to step into the unknown, unafraid and dedicated to helping homeless animals,” she said, adding that proceeds from the sale of the calendars would be donated to SPCA and other animal shelters in the country. 

Apart from creating awareness of responsible pet ownership, Sherrina is hoping to solve the problem of abandoned cats and dogs.  

“Hundreds of unwanted cats and dogs land on the doorsteps of local animal shelters. The lucky ones are eventually adopted, but many have to be put down. 

“There is also the problem of stray animals that have no place to call home. Most are diseased and starving and continue to reproduce, thereby making the stray population even bigger.” 

Sherrina herself is the proud owner of seven cats that she took in from the streets: Midnight, August, Crash, Mystery, Star, Magic and Bumper Cat. 

Response to the calendar project was lukewarm initially, but once people understood what it was about, the entries started pouring in. 

“People even started booking specific days on which they wanted their pets to be featured,” she said. Celebrities such as Ferhad and Susan Lankaster as well as radio deejays Caroline Oh and Karen Bahrin also sent in entries. 

“Compiling the dog calendar was more difficult as we kept getting a lot of entries on shih tzus,” she added. 

Road shows are being held in the Klang Valley to promote the calendars.  

Sherrina is also taking the opportunity to do more.  

“We encourage those who buy our calendars to support the Selangor SPCA’s signature campaign lobbying for a harsher penalty in animal abuse cases.” 

Currently those found guilty under the Animal Ordinance 1953 are only liable to a RM200 fine, six months' imprisonment, or both. 

“The law was incorporated in 1953. We have evolved as a nation since then, but our laws on animal rights have not and it’s about time that something was done to rectify that,” she added.  

The calendars are priced at RM39.90 each, with free delivery in the Klang Valley. 

Corporate companies are welcome to sponsor the calendars for a good cause. 

The calendar is available at all Pets Wonderland outlets, SPCA Jalan Ampang, As You Like Flower & Gifts at Plaza Prima Ville Desa Sri Hartamas, The Curve (flea market every weekend), Bangsar Village (on weekends), Great Eastern Mall and Just Heavenly in Jalan Tempinis Kanan, Bangsar.   For details, call Sherrina at 03-4295 8288 or 012-202 6384, or log on to www.mystycat.bravehost.com. 

ENTRIES for the Malaysia’s First 365 Days cat and dog calendars for the year 2007 will be accepted from January, on a first come, first served basis.  Pet owners can e-mail a high- resolution JPEG image of their pets or send regular prints.