How grief led Mohana to a life of rescuing strays

Mohana Sunthari, a 49-year-old private tutor, never planned to become an animal rescuer. However, after losing both her parents within weeks of each other in 2017, her connection to stray cats grew stronger. Initially, the loss left her in depression and insomnia, feeling a profound void. One fateful day, a friend found a injured cat beneath a drain outside Mohana's apartment.

They took the cat in, and six months later, it recovered. Mohana believed this first rescue was divine, meant to fill the void left by her parents' passing. As time passed, more stray cats found their way to Mohana's Old Klang Road home, where she now cares for around 20 cats. Her goddaughter assists in feeding and rescuing stray animals in the neighborhood.

Although Mohana can only help one cat at a time, she has recently taken in a ginger cat named Oyen, who was severely injured. Neighbors believed he may have been scalded with hot water. Mohana had to put up a fundraising poster at a TTDI clinic to cover Oyen's treatment costs, exceeding RM1,000. Another cat with a pelvic fracture is also receiving medical care, though surgery could cost over RM4,000.

Despite the financial and emotional challenges, Mohana remains committed to rescuing strays, emphasizing the importance of kindness and safety for these animals.