Aileen Lee, better known as Aunty Aileen, runs My Pets Haven and told FMT recently how shocked she was to receive the eviction notice, which will take effect come October this year.
Speaking about her reaction to the eviction, Aunty Aileen, 66, said: “How could they do this? Do they know how many dogs and cats I have here?”
Left with no choice but to abide by the notice, Aunty Aileen is desperate to find a piece of land where she can relocate all the rescued animals in her care.
In the meantime, she is hoping that most, if not all, the dogs and cats at her shelter find forever homes with members of the public.
“I don’t hope to close down the shelter permanently, because I want to help these animals for as long as I can.”
The shelter is home to more than 40 cats and dogs and is funded by public donations as well as Aunty Aileen’s personal savings.
Interestingly enough, My Pets Haven was once a pet shop. That was in 2011.
However, after a falling out with her business partners over a stray dog she rescued and brought inside to stay, she decided to transition the pet shop into an animal shelter instead.
“They didn’t like what I did because the shop’s goal was to sell pets and make profit, which was why they left after,” Aunty Aileen said, adding that she has no regrets as she was ecstatic when the dog she rescued and named Wong Choi, meaning good fortune in Cantonese, got adopted.
“I strongly advocate the ‘adopt, don’t shop’ policy now, because if we stop buying, the breeding for selling purposes will stop too.”
At first, the shelter only housed rescued dogs, but Lee’s husband, a cat lover, guided her on how to care for cats as well.
This year marks the twelfth year that she has been rescuing animals. And although she’s often exhausted from her responsibilities – walking the dogs from as early as 5am, to feeding and caring for them – it’s a job she does with passion.
“I can’t walk more than one at a time as they’ll get distracted and play with each other instead of actually taking a walk,” she said laughing.
And when the shelter closes at 8pm, she goes on to her next task – that of preparing food for the strays in the area. She said that she feeds them chicken meat or innards, and mixes this with rice. She does this every day.
In fact, she is a familiar face to the residents in the area and some even donate money to help fund the feedings.
When asked what she’ll do if she can’t secure a new location for her rescue efforts, Lee said she would retire, since she doesn’t have enough space in her own home for the strays she rescues.
“However, I won’t stop feeding the strays I come across,” she added.
So, if you’re willing to open your heart and home to a new furry friend, or if you’re looking for a new family member to add to your existing pack, do drop by My Pets Haven in Setia Alam.
You will not only be helping Aunty Aileen during this difficult time, you’ll also be rewarded with a faithful and loving companion.
Follow My Pets Haven on Instagram and Facebook, or head to their official website.
My Pets Haven
No. 11-1, Jalan Setia Prima
S U13/S Setia Alam
40170 Shah Alam, Selangor
Operating hours: 10am-8pm daily
Contact: 019-663 2828