Cover image via New Life Animal Shelter (Provided to SAYS)
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In Rawang, Selangor, New Life Animal Shelter isn't just saving animals — it's working to build a culture of compassion for better animal welfare in Malaysia
The shelter began when an elderly man, who had spent years rescuing and feeding strays on his own, fell ill and could no longer care for them. That's when New Life Foundation, a registered NGO in Petaling Jaya that serves the vulnerable — including B40 families, persons with disabilities, senior citizens, the chronically ill, or abandoned animals — stepped in to take over his animals.
This marked the beginning of the foundation's animal welfare arm: New Life Animal Shelter.
"We believe that every life — human or animal — deserves dignity, protection, and compassion. No life should be discarded simply because it is inconvenient.
"We didn't have a detailed plan. We just knew we couldn't leave those dogs to return to the streets," the NGO's vice president, Vivian Lei, told SAYS.
With help from other animal lovers and business owners, they built a basic shelter over three years.
And since then, they've cared for over 300 dogs and cats — some rescued from illegal breeders, others saved from the streets.
New Life Animal Shelter is dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating abused, injured, and abandoned animals, always striving to place them in safe, loving homes.
Unfortunately, while they do aim to take in as many as they can, due to limited space, resources, and manpower, they have to prioritise the most critical strays first: injured, sick, or in distress.
Vivian revealed to SAYS that requests for help pour in daily, from abandoned litters to pet surrenders — even pedigree cats and dogs left behind by irresponsible owners.
New Life Animal Shelter's PIC, Albee.
Image via New Life Animal Shelter (Provided to SAYS)
One such case was Berry, a Golden Retriever abandoned due to a skin condition and old age
Vivian said he never found a forever home but spent his final years surrounded by the love of the shelter staff.
"Despite everything he had been through, Berry was gentle and affectionate, and became one of the most beloved souls at our shelter.
"Stories like Berry's remind us why we do what we do. These animals trust, feel, and hope. And they deserve someone who will fight for them, stay with them, and never give up on them," she shared.
Beyond rescuing strays, New Life Animal Shelter believes in creating systemic change by building a culture of care for animals among Malaysians
"In Malaysia, strays, especially dogs, are often seen as pests. Some people, including authorities, feel entitled to harm or remove them. But these animals are just trying to survive," said Vivian.
They hope that Malaysia can implement a structured nationwide Trap-Neuter-Release-Manage (TNRM) programme and coexist peacefully with strays, such as in countries like Turkey and Bhutan.
"We strongly advocate for TNRM. It's humane, effective, and proven to work long-term. It's also why we support campaigns like ExecuteAWA, which push for compassionate and responsible solutions.
"Until public awareness grows and the system changes, NGOs like us will always be cleaning up the consequences of a broken approach," she said.
A small way to begin, she suggests, is to come help volunteer at the shelter and see the reality these strays live
"Education plays a critical role in fostering a better culture. Visiting shelters, feeding strays, and caring for vulnerable animals can open young hearts to realities they've never seen," she said.
She also hopes that Malaysians could learn to choose pets based on love, not looks.
"Be an animal lover, not a breed lover," she said.
If you believe in their mission, donate, adopt, or volunteer! Your help can make all the difference — for the animals, and for a kinder Malaysia.
The shelter is always in need of support — donations of kibble, meat, or funds, as well as volunteers to help with daily operations, from feeding and cleaning to just spending time with the furbabies.
To donate, adopt, volunteer, or find out more information, visit the New Life Animal Shelter website.
Follow them on Instagram for future updates.
New Life Animal Shelter's commitment aligns with Execute AWA — Malaysia's first national humanity mission for greater animal welfare — by the people of Malaysia, for the animals of Malaysia.
This positive and professional community movement champions unity and grassroots collaboration, demands strict enforcement of laws that uphold justice, and advocates for legal reforms to raise the standards of animal rights nationwide.
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