LABUAN, 12 June 2025 – The community support animal welfare initiative “Paws of Hope – Spay, Neuter and Feed” has successfully raised RM3,820 through a crowdfunding campaign on the MyStar app in just one month. The project was organized by students from Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Labuan International Campus (UMSKAL) under the supervision of their Corporate Finance lecturer, Dr. Suzillah Binti Sidek. Coordinated by Gayatheri, the project’s director, this student led initiative aims to help stray animals by providing vital care, food, and vaccinations.
The campaign’s official closing ceremony took place on 12 June 2025 at the Jabatan Perkhidmatan Veterinar Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan. The event was attended by special guests, including:
- Dr Suzillah Binti Sidek, Sulam Project coordinator, Paws of Hope
- Gayatheri A/P V. Perumal, Tamilarasi A/P Selvaraju, Kausalya A/P Mani, Daneeswary A/P Magindran, Santhyareni A/P Baskaran, Shannan Wei Ai Ching, Ng Heng Seng, Loshinee A/P Chandran, Sanjly A/P Rajasegaran, Sharvinanayar A/P Aravindhan, Paws of Hope team.
- Madam Fatmawati Binti Muhamad Puzi, Assistant Veterinary Officer
- Mr. Rusli Bin Karim, President of the NGO We Love Labuan Cats and Dogs, accompanied by his wife, Madam Apsah Binti Sallam
- NGO volunteers Madam Roziela M. Ruslan, Roslinah Ali, and Madam Anna Leong Siew Fung
From the total funds raised, RM2,065 was allocated to the Veterinary Department to cover the cost of spaying, neutering, and vaccinating 18 cats. The remaining funds were used to purchase food for stray cats and dogs to support a food bank initiative for animals in need across Labuan.
The closing ceremony also included a symbolic handover of a mock cheque to the Veterinary Department and tokens of appreciation for all contributors and partners who had supported the project.
Director of Project Gayatheri has been expressed her heartfelt appreciation and honor in the collaborative efforts of students, government agencies, NGOs and the local community.
“This project is not just an academic but it is a small initiative that has created a big impact on the lives of stray animals in Labuan. Thank you to everyone who has played a role in making it a success,” she said.
The “Paws of Hope” project is part of the Service Learning Malaysia – University for Society (SULAM) program at UMSKAL, which emphasizes community-based learning while instilling humanitarian values in students.
