For the Love of Strays: Mutts & Mittens’ Enduring Journey of Hope
Last evening, animal lovers from all walks of life gathered at Super HLT Restaurant in Ipoh for an occasion that celebrated compassion and community. The 9th Annual Mutts & Mittens (M&M) Charity Dinner welcomed supporters with a shared mission: to raise much-needed funds for a permanent animal shelter for M&M’s 300 dogs and 80 cats, all rescued from the streets.
The event unfolded with warmth, generosity and laughter, a testament to what can be achieved when hearts align for a cause that truly matters.
For more than a decade, M&M has been a haven for thousands of stray animals. What was established by a handful of independent rescuers has grown into a well-loved sanctuary. To date, the team has rescued and neutered over 4,000 dogs, a remarkable feat by any measure.
But behind the scenes lies a quieter struggle: M&M has never had a place to truly call home. Over the past 10 years, the shelter has relocated five times, each move more challenging due to the growing number of residents.
Therefore, this charity dinner was a fundraiser to give these animals and their carers the security they so desperately need.
Support from YB Sandrea Ng
The event was graced by YB Sandrea Ng Shy Ching, Chairperson of the Perak State Housing and Local Government Committee.
“A special thanks to the M&M team for everything that they have done over the years, from rescue work to TNR campaigns and community outreach,” she said during her speech, earning heartfelt applause.
Her presence at the fund raiser reinforced the strong bond between M&M and the state government, a relationship that has brought real change to Perak’s animal welfare landscape.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Mutts & Mittens does more than rescue. It educates, inspires and sows seeds for a better tomorrow. Since partnering with YB Sandrea, the team has held over 20 school workshops around Perak. In 2024 alone, they reached out to more than 4,000 students, a promising sign for the future of animal advocacy.
In 2023, M&M took their message a step further by publishing a touching picture book, chronicling the story of two rescued dogs. Priced at RM38 per copy, every book sold supports the shelter’s operating costs, including the land purchase fund.
The Perak Pawsitive Initiative
M&M is a key player in the Perak Pawsitive Initiative, the state’s strategic programme to humanely tackle the stray population through awareness, spay-neuter campaigns, and policy alignment.
The shelter recently launched subsidised neutering for dogs and cats, particularly aimed at pet owners, to encourage responsible ownership. As of last week, by the fifth round of the initiative, 301 dogs and 254 cats were neutered, and 495 dog licences were issued.
With the launch of Friends of Pawsitive, a network of like-minded NGOs collaborating closely with the state, the movement is gaining even more traction. Once again, M&M is right at the heart of it all.
Food, Fun, and Fundraising
Guests were treated to an 8-course Chinese dinner. As dishes flowed, Groove Society brought the evening alive with music, followed by a lively dance number performed by a teenage group.
In true M&M fashion, VIPs took the stage and sang their hearts out, inspiring spontaneous donations from the crowd with every chorus. There was laughter, applause, and the joyful clinking of glasses, but above all, there was an objective.
A thrilling auction saw two bottles of liquor snapped up for RM4,000 each. In an act of pure generosity, the bidder chose to donate both bottles back to the shelter for next year’s charity dinner, a gesture that beautifully captured the spirit of the evening.
Looking Ahead with Hope
Mutts & Mittens’ 2025 charity dinner was a heartfelt step towards a dream for a forever home. Meanwhile, with every song rendered, every plate served, and every donation made, that dream comes closer.
For the 300 dogs and 80 cats still waiting behind the shelter gates, that home will one day be theirs, thanks to a community that continuously persevere.
Support M&M by purchasing their picture book or making a donation via bank transfer. Every little act adds up to something extraordinary.
Persatuan Pencinta Haiwan Daerah Kinta
Bank: Public Bank
Account no: 3200329836
Video: Mutts & Mittens Spread the Love Charity Dinner 2025
Event: 9th Annual Mutts & Mittens Charity Dinner 2025
Venue: Super HLT Restaurant, Ipoh
Date: 22nd June, 2025
Time: 7pm
