As the title of her shelter says “Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better” (MDDB), Wani Muthiah stands opposed to the heartless abandonment and euthanasia of innocent creatures.
As a journalist for almost 35 years, Wani’s pen has always been her sword in battling various social and political issues. It makes sense that the catalyst that pushed her to becoming an animal welfare advocate was when she wrote about a dog that was being mishandled by dogcatchers in 2008. This one article led to subsequent trips to the local animal pounds and revealed to Wani that the mistreatment of Malaysian canines was sadly more common than she realised.
Soon after, MDDB became one of the earliest registered animal rescue organisations. Presently, MDDB acts a sanctuary for able-bodied canines and a half-way-home for disabled dogs. With over 400 dogs to care for, Wani and her team are dedicated towards ensuring their four-legged wards lead happy and healthy lives. Wani’s fervent wish is for the country’s local authorities to embark on the humane Trap-Neuter-Release-Manage (TNRM) as the main tool for stray management. In the meantime, Wani continues to advocate for justice as a news editor at The Star.
Making an impact is about bringing change as well as paving the path for others to do so as well. After MDDB, dozens of other rescue groups came into being by using our organisation as a model to start their own. Many individuals also picked up the responsibility of animal rescue. That domino effect, led by example, is what impact is all about.