The cats of TTDI have an aunty – and she’s not giving up on them

KUALA LUMPUR: 56-year-old Rozita Zainuddin has taken it upon herself to care for stray cats and a stray dog in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI), beginning her feeding and trap-neuter-release (TNR) work in 2024 after helping a sick stray cat. The routine, which sees her feed around 10 cats near Jalan Datuk Sulaiman, has become a daily part of her life.

Rozita, originally from Kota Baru, Kelantan, began her journey to help stray cats almost by chance when she noticed a sick female cat and took her to the vet. She now prioritizes sterilising female cats and placing friendly strays up for adoption, handling the financial burden of food, veterinary care, and TNR expenses herself. With a support system that includes her husband, Rozita faces challenges such as sudden veterinary costs and the loss of a cat hit by a car.

Her daily efforts have also drawn the attention of neighbours who wish to contribute to the cause. Rozita hopes to expand her TNR programme next year with the help of younger volunteers and local veterinarians, urging people to take action when they encounter injured animals rather than ignoring them.