Rescuing strays saved woman
PETALING JAYA: Twenty-five years ago, the mother of a young child was on the verge of deep depression.
Christine Lai’s marriage had broken down, she was financially tapped out and every turn she took seemed like a dead end.
“Although there were many opportunities available for me to pick myself up and rebuild my life, I was just not able to see them,” said Lai, 56.
After grappling with her predicament she stumbled on an activity which she said saved her.
She started rescuing animals in distress.
After that, “it was as if a dark veil that had been shrouding my life was removed”.
“Most of my troubles flew away as I started concentrating on saving the lives of cats and dogs I encountered on the streets,” Lai said.
Today, she is a dedicated member of canine rescue group Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better and has been spending every Sunday for almost nine years conducting adoption drives at malls and shopping complexes.
The activity also kept her busy after her son, Laurance Cornwell, moved to England six years ago.
She said her “happy moments” are when a stray or formerly abused animal finds a good home.
“I feel a sense of satisfaction and achievement,” said Lai who has started building a sanctuary for stray dogs.
She said the half-completed sanctuary in Rawang would be able to house about 150 rescued dogs.
She said progress was slow due to the high cost of labour and building materials.
“We hope donors, especially those in the corporate sector, will come forward to help us complete the project by year end,” she said.
Lai can be contacted at chrislai1960@gmail.com or 012-2414749.