“They need our voice and help too,” the retiree told FMT, stressing that she was merely following the teachings of the Quran.

Thus began her journey as an animal activist, educating the public on the importance of being compassionate to animals.

Eventually, in 2010, she established an association called the Half-Way Home For Furry Strays (HAHFS). Its mission is to discourage people from dumping their pets and to persuade them to neuter the animals as a way of controlling the number of strays in Malaysia.

The association, which has seven members, has its office in Kampung Melayu Subang, Shah Alam.

HAHFS also tries to create awareness that strays are not dangerous. “They just want food, that’s all,” Surayati said.

She recently became a cyber sensation of sorts after her Facebook post about saving a three-month pup went viral. She has since named it “Miracle”.

She said she rescued it from under a pile of rocks after she heard whimpers coming from the spot. “It is unimaginable that someone could do that to a living creature,” she said.

She got the help of a factory worker to carry the injured puppy and then lodged a police report.

“Saving Miracle is something that happened unexpectedly,” she said.

Handling dogs is a rather sensitive subject among a section of the Muslim community in Malaysia, but Surayati said her rescue of Miracle has received nothing but praise.

She said any Muslim would be at odds with the faith if he or she were to criticise her for saving Miracle or, for that matter, speak ill of anyone who saves dogs.

“How can saving a life be wrong before God?” she said.

Readers who want to do their part for the HAHFS can call the association at 012-2437567.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcgP9C0VNa8&feature=youtu.be