Pooches to pick their humans at weekend adoption drive

PETALING JAYA:

A dog trots across the room, pauses for a moment, then gently leans against a stranger’s leg. Its tail starts wagging. The stranger laughs, bends down for a pat – and just like that, a connection is made.

This is the hope behind #ProjekPawPicks by Execute Animal Welfare Act’s (AWA) first national “dog-chooses-human” adoption programme, taking place this weekend at Leo’s & Friends Pet Hotel in Sunway Damansara here.

For programme director Fiona Ng, the idea is simple: what if adoption was not just about humans picking pets, but about dogs choosing who they trust?

“Traditional adoption lets the human judge or evaluate the dogs. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it can be superficial and self-serving on some levels,” Ng explained.

So, #ProjekPawPicks flips the script. Potential adopters are first screened before meeting the dogs in a calm, controlled environment.

“When the animal chooses its human, adoption becomes more than a transaction,” Ng continued. “It becomes a touching, powerful story for the adopter.”

running — A total of 15 rescue dogs will be at #ProjekPawPicks. (Fiona Ng pic)

The event will feature 15 rescue dogs from NGOs and independent rescuers. There are no cats for this round, partly because the venue sponsor is a dog-focused pet hotel with limited capacity to avoid overwhelming the animals.

Behind the adorable premise sits a serious mission. Malaysia’s stray animal crisis has persisted for decades, and Ng believes meaningful change requires more than emotional impulse.

“Animals are not objects to be selected – they are sentient beings with instincts, emotions, and the right to choose who they trust,” she said.

That is why the programme includes pre-screening interviews, trial adoption periods of seven to 14 days, and follow-ups after adoption.

Adopters contribute a RM250 care fee, which helps rescuers cover costs such as vaccinations, neutering, boarding, and future rescues.

dog — The organisers will have pre-screening sessions to determine the viability of the adoption. (Fiona Ng pic)

What’s important, Ng stressed, is to create lasting matches that reduce abandonment and return rates.

“#ProjekPawPicks is more than just a cute and unique adoption drive. It’s a community-driven programme aimed at giving strays a deserving chance at their forever homes,” she noted.

The event is also a chance for visitors to meet the rescuers and volunteers who care for abandoned animals every day.

So, even if you are not ready to adopt, showing up still matters. You might leave with a new perspective – or, if a hopeful pup has its way, a new best friend.

#ProjekPawPicks

When: Saturday & Sunday (May 9 & 10) @ 9am-1pm

Where:
Leo & Friends Pet Hotel
23, Jalan PJU 3/41,
Sunway Damansara,
47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

For location, click here.