For the past seven years, Aunty Janaki has spent much of her time feeding and caring for stray dogs around Jinjang, Kuala Lumpur.
What began with her noticing that the dogs were not getting enough food eventually became a commitment to dozens of animals that had nowhere else to turn.
Earlier this year, however, Janaki was suddenly told that the land where the dogs were staying had to be vacated within a week.
At the time, more than 60 dogs were depending on her.
With help from content creator Sidney Rayos Michael, volunteers and members of the public, the dogs were eventually moved to a temporary shelter in Rawang.
The immediate crisis may be over, but their struggle is far from finished.
Speaking to WeirdKaya, Janaki revealed that the number of dogs she is caring for has since grown to more than 75, while those helping her are now appealing for financial support to keep them fed and sheltered.
It started with her feeding the dogs on weekends
Janaki previously worked in the private healthcare sector and would spend her weekends feeding stray dogs around Jinjang.
She said that another woman in the area had already been collecting leftover food to feed the animals, but there simply was not enough to go around.
I saw many puppies, but there was not enough food. They were only being fed once and the food was not enough for them,” she said.
After undergoing total knee replacement surgery at the age of 59, Janaki eventually resigned from her job.
But instead of slowing down, she began spending even more time caring for the dogs.
Besides feeding them, efforts were also made to neuter the animals and prevent their numbers from growing.
However, Janaki said abandoned dogs and puppies continued appearing in the area.
Most of the time, people are throwing away puppies, especially female dogs,” she said.
She added that she had also encountered dogs abandoned after developing skin conditions or falling sick.
“Please don’t do this. Try to help the puppies. We are really struggling to overcome this problem.”
She was suddenly given one week to move more than 60 dogs
Things became even more difficult when Janaki was informed that the land the dogs were living on was going to be redeveloped.
“All of a sudden, the developer came and told me, ‘You need to vacate this area within a week,’” she recalled.
At that time, I had 63 dogs. Then you ask me to vacate in one week. How?”
Janaki said she and others desperately contacted shelters and clinics in hopes of finding somewhere for the dogs to go.
But finding a place willing and able to take dozens of dogs at once proved almost impossible.
At one of her lowest points, she even began looking at euthanasia because she felt she had run out of alternatives.
“We really didn’t know what to do. If we just let them go, they would be walking around with no food. I could come and feed them, but sooner or later the authorities would come after them.”” she said.
That was when Sidney became involved.
A random Instagram DM led Sidney to her story
Speaking to WeirdKaya, Sidney said Janaki herself had never approached him for help.
Instead, he received a message from an Instagram user he did not know.
It was a random Instagram user with a very shady account that sent me a DM and asked for help,” he recalled.
After getting in touch with Janaki and learning more about the situation, he was struck by how an elderly woman had been consistently showing up for the dogs every single day, rain or shine, regardless of her own condition.
When he found out she had only about a week to move them all, he decided he had to step in.
Sidney said he did not do anything extraordinary.
In his view, he simply used his platform to share Janaki’s voice and get more people to pay attention. He stressed that he is not special and that anyone is capable of helping if they choose to act with empathy.
With help from Sidney, Navwinderan, a woman named Sally and others involved in the rescue, the dogs were eventually transferred to a temporary shelter in Rawang.
The number of dogs has now grown to more than 75
While the original rescue focused on more than 60 dogs, Janaki told WeirdKaya that the number she is now trying to care for has already increased.
“From 63, it has already gone up to 75,” she said.
She explained that there are still dogs living around the original area which she continues to feed, while more abandoned animals continue appearing.
Janaki also continues travelling to Rawang to check on and spend time with the dogs at the temporary shelter.
According to Dave, who spoke to WeirdKaya about their current situation, the dogs there are doing well.
Aunty Janaki is travelling to the shelter to monitor and spend her time with the dogs most of the time. I can guarantee they are good.”
But keeping them safe comes at a price.
The dogs are safe now, but the cost is ongoing
Although the immediate crisis has been resolved, the rescue team says keeping the dogs safe is now the main challenge.
Dave shared that the dogs at the shelter are currently in good condition. They are well fed, properly monitored, and Janaki continues travelling there regularly to spend time with them and check on their wellbeing.
However, housing and feeding such a large number of dogs is expensive. Sidney said the team was fortunate to find a shelter willing to care for them for RM6,000 a month, especially since other shelters had reportedly quoted around RM20,000 for the same number of dogs.
Previous coverage similarly reported that about RM6,000 is needed each month for food and boarding alone, not including unexpected veterinary costs.
At the time of WeirdKaya’s interview, Dave said the fundraising campaign had raised RM15,840 so far.
However, the team is aiming for RM30,000, which would cover around six months of expenses while they work towards a more permanent solution.
He said their most urgent challenge now is making sure the money continues to come in every month so the dogs can remain sheltered and properly cared for.
Sidney added that people should not feel pressured to donate a large amount, as even RM1 can still make a difference.
Relocating them does not make the stray problem disappear
Sidney also warned that simply removing dogs from one location does not necessarily solve the wider stray population problem.
He explained that when one group of dogs is removed from an area, another group can eventually move into the empty territory, a phenomenon commonly referred to as the vacuum effect.
“We have removed five dogs that had been there for the last five years because there were complaints,” he said.
“Six months down the road, we had a new batch of dogs taking over that place.”
Instead, he believes communities need to look at longer term solutions rather than repeatedly relocating animals whenever complaints arise.
Janaki echoed this concern, particularly when it comes to neutering pets and preventing abandonment.
“Why can’t you neuter?” she asked.
“Please give some love. How we give love to our kids and children, please do the same thing.”
‘My EPF is going to finish already’
For Janaki, the emotional burden has also been matched by financial strain.
She told WeirdKaya that she has been withdrawing around RM2,000 a month from her own savings to help care for the dogs. That money comes from her EPF, which she says is expected to run out by November.
Despite this, Janaki is still doing everything she can to keep going.
Her biggest hope now is to find a permanent, safe place where the dogs can stay for the rest of their lives without facing displacement again.
According to The Sun, it is planning for a 2.1 acre sanctuary in Klang that could eventually house up to 400 rescued animals, though around RM500,000 is still needed to complete it.
For now, Janaki is simply asking Malaysians not to turn away.
She said she is begging the public to help find a permanent place for the dogs so they can live peacefully for the rest of their lives. She also urged people not to hurt or abandon animals, reminding everyone that these dogs are innocent souls that have done no harm.
If there is one thing Janaki hopes people take away from her story, it is this: stray animals do not need pity alone.
They need people willing to care, act and help them stay safe.
You can contribute to Aunty Janaki’s journey here.
