SILENT CRIES : I wrote my FIRST book on Animal Welfare

Took this photo of a boy patting a horse in Langkawi, my heart just melts.

The world is not just created for us humans.

I was working from home few days ago when I heard a neighbour chatting loudly with another neighbour because she spotted 2 monkeys on her wet kitchen’s balcony. The monkeys fled upon seeing her and sat on her rooftop – dare not come down. Quickly, I interrupted and told the neighbour not to do anything that will harm the wild animal. She agreed.

Worried for the fate of those monkeys (and the neighbour), I quickly called the Jabatan Perhilitan (Wildlife Department).

The telephonist answered my call and asks me a few questions (nature of call, where I am based etc) and directly put my call to the right department. I was greeted by a nice gentleman named Moib. After getting down my details for their record, I proceeded to share with him about the Monkeys.

Apparently, I am NOT the first person from my area that contacted them about the same issue. Our area is currently under the department’s observation for the past one month. They have sent their men twice to try and catch these monkeys but they move too quickly. There were no Alpha monkey (usually a male monkey) spotted yet, just medium sized monkeys and their young ones. So far ever since they have been spotted, no humans have been reported to be harmed. That’s good news.

It was concluded that these monkeys have traveled from the nearby secondary jungle and eventually ended up in the areas where human lives – their main motive is to look for food to survive.

I must say that it feels disheartening to hear this from the Perhilitan Officer. He was kind to explain why this happened. He agreed that they should not be harmed.

Imagine if humans and these monkeys were swapped, wouldn’t we do the same thing?

Sadly, these days not all humans understands that it is actually us to be blamed for the ecosystem imbalance. Rapid (and often unnecessary) clearance of jungles by wealthy conglomerates, robbing the wild animals out of their natural habitat where they also call it home left these animals no choice but to risk their lives and safety to come out and find ways to survive. The jungle used to be their home for generations, where they look/hunt for food to survive is no longer there for them. Instead, they found super highways, new cities and townships, skyrocket buildings and houses.

What if we were these animals?. I wonder how do we react to this. Where do we go? How do we ensure our survival?

The disheartening part is that they cannot speak up, they cannot reason, they cannot plea, they cannot reach out to us the way human does. And when they made their presence, humans immediately assumed that they are a threat and should be put away. Some wanted them to be eliminated.

Source

Even animals like dogs, who have been humans closest companion during the stone aged era is deemed as filthy and useless. They are looked down upon and often mistreated with unimaginable abuse and neglect. Yet, they never give up on us humans. They stood loyal with their friendships and ever forgiving.

This is Miracle, she was rescued by S I Shelter, Shah Alam less than a year ago. She is currently recuperating after going through multiple surgeries on her facial and fostered by the shelter. She was found together with her kitten by a good samaritan, she lost both eyes due to infection that stemmed from human inflicted injury and prolonged neglect. If you would like to support the shelter and Miracle, do let me know.

Even cats (one of the prophet’s most loved pet) were not spared from maltreatment. They were kicked, beaten, disposed like rubbish, splashed with hot water, poisoned and lots more. Their fate is similar to dogs these days.

Humans tend to have preferences as to what kind of dogs or cats they would like to have too. It is no longer about love and friendships but about how cute they are, how fluffy their fur is and what breed. Imagine if pets could choose their owners, what do you think they would think of us?

What is wrong with us humans? Have we forgotten the reasons why wild animals made their presence in our neighbourhood? Who exactly invade whose home? Have we forgotten our friendships with dogs thousands of years ago? What good education that we have if we do not educate (or refuse to open our minds and hearts) ourselves enough to understand the cause and effect of things that happened around us? Why is it difficult for us to learn to co-exist? Does these animals have no rights to be treated humanely?

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When God commanded Noah to bring each animals into his ark in pairs, God actually wanted these animals to multiply, so they could serve their purpose to humans. But humans have become greedy, wanting more and more that they forgotten the meaning of enough.

During book launch at Border, The Curve with the late Sabrina Yeap and Davina Goh

I once wrote a book about animal welfare in Malaysia entitled SILENT CRIES (story HERE in year 2006). I wrote it while I was still working for the corporate. I did it because every bookstores that I went to, there isn’t seem to be any books dedicated to animal welfare in our country.

Book launch in Pet Safari, Ikano in 2006

I sold limited edition designed t-shirts to support the publication, some of the project supporters have now became my friends. Mr Ho Kay Tat, once owned The Edge media even donated to the project and bought two tshirts for his daughters. Even celebs like Chelsia Ng and Davina Goh came to the book launch. One of the project supporter (now a good friend) is Ms Evelyn Ang, who is currently recuperating from an accident 2 months ago. The story of her accident HERE. I pray that someday she will be able to get up and do what she love most (running) and I bet Shalom (her longest most loved pet) misses her mom dearly.

The late Sabrina Yeap, front in blue and Chelsia Ng next to me

I had great help from the late Ms Sabrina Yeap, one of the well-known Animal Inspector from SPCA Selangor. She shared with me stories of her rescues, showed me pictures of each animals that were given a chance to live, of cases where she fought tooths and nails in court getting the DVS to nab the abusers. We spent hours of chatting and mugs of coffees.

Sadly, Sabrina passed away in 2012 due to a sickness she’s not aware off (the news of her passing HERE. I learnt that Sabrina too had a sad life growing up, not knowing who her real parents were. No wonder she could relate so well with the pain and loneliness these strays had. I was devastated to learn about her passing.

I am glad to know that there are many animal lovers out there trying their best to educate others. Sadly, not all humans are open to it.

Growing up loving animals, trying to save every strays I could since young to this age, feeding them so they don’t go hungry or thirsty has been one of the things I will continue doing for as long as I could. However, these days my heart has gotten weak, I cannot see visuals of abuse or neglects. Sometimes I scroll up these visuals quickly because I get upset that I couldn’t do much due to limitations. But I pray, I pray that God lessen their pain and send Angels to help them – whichever way. Otherwise, I prayed that God will just take them away and save them from the unnecessary prolonged misery.

I cannot speak the same of others on this but I make sure I do my part the best that I can. I taught my daughter about kindness to animals and showed her how to do it. And I did that with every children I met, continue educating them.

My girl, a natural with every animals

And why did I do this? Simple. Someday, I will cease to live and I would like these children to continue the legacy. To spread love and be compassionate to animals. I look forward to seeing them making changes that the forefathers never could. I have faith that the future generation holds the key to change.

Perhaps all is not lost. And there could still be HOPE.

angiechin28

Something About Angiechin28

Angie Chin is a Mom with a mission and founder of WonderWomen.Asia (coming soon), the first online portal in Malaysia that connects Women to affordable online learning, community activities, shareable contents, events, jobs and go-to market opportunities. At home, she’s a mommy to a 10 year old daughter, 6 furbabies + a grown babe. She loves travelling, cooking, exploring new food, reading and watching re-runs on Youtube.

Regularly posting up her ramblings and sharing contents (current favorites are Facebook & Instagram), she fell head over heels with Steemit after realising it’s the only platform that allows ANYONE to earn cryptocurrency by creating and posting up contents, even by liking, voting or commenting other people’s contents!

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