Article: Students to the rescue

Friday July 24, 2009

By IAN YEE

MOST of us were shocked by the headlines about the dogs from Pulau Ketam, Selangor, that were abandoned on an unoccupied island in late April.

However, the island has no fresh water sources, very little solid ground for the dogs to rest on being a swampy marsh, and no food. The dogs were basically left there to die a slow and painful death.

While the public outburst seem to have died down, many people are still thanklessly working to save the many dogs that are still stranded there.

Joining the cause is a bunch of KDU College students who will be holding a charity event tomorrow from 10am to 9pm, to support the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and other organisations that have worked to help save the poor pooches.

Called RAVE 2 SAVE (with RAVE standing for Rescue Animals Via Entertainment), the event is headed by the KDU PR Class of 2009 and will feature a bazaar, variety of performances, car show, petting zoo and much more.

KDU students getting involved in helping dogs who were dumped on uninhabited islands by Pulau Ketam residents.

"We were inspired to support the Pulau Ketam cause because we felt that there hasn't been enough energy directed there. Only a select few are willing to give a hand," said Jody Wong, one of the organisers of RAVE 2 SAVE.

Even though the event is part of a college assignment for the student organisers, Jody says the only reason they chose this cause for the assignment was because it was something close to their hearts.

Jody herself has three dogs at home, and she's had many other pets in the past.

"I've seen a genuine sense of compassion in my teammates. They have even sacrificed their leisure time on the weekends to go help in Pulau Ketam. Some have been working with the animals at various places after that. There was even a litter of puppies that was brought back by my teammates," Jody explained.

Though the main goal of the event is to raise funds to support the continuing work being done in the Pulau Ketam area and animal shelters, Jody says they also hope to create awareness among the public about the continued struggles faced by the dogs and those trying to help them.

"We have been to the islands with the SPCA and found that many people are apprehensive about helping because it costs a lot. It's a tourist area," she said.

"That's why we're also hoping to help raise awareness among the younger generations and be an information hub to the public. We want to show and provide different avenues to those who want to help but don't know how."

The event will also serve to help redeem the image of Malaysia as Jody says many of the international students in her college have also been shocked by the cruelty.

"At first it seemed like no one really knew about it, but as we were doing promotions and fundraising we found that many of those who hearing about it for the first time were shocked and angry at those responsible," she revealed.

"The cruelty has really shocked us all. Many international students said that they have never heard of anything like this happening in their countries before. They were dumbfounded really."

To achieve all that, the organisers have made sure that the entertainment and activities on the day are able to pull in as many people as possible.

"Those who come may expect a day of shopping, entertainment and a good time especially. By just being there, they would have already contributed to the cause, which is why we want to bring them the best so that it is a win-win situation.

There is a RM5 entry fee, which will be channeled to the SPCA.

This article was taken from: The Star Online: Rage: Stories: Campus: Campus News 24 July 2009