KL family’s DIY automatic feeders for strays helps overcome challenges of visiting feeding sites daily (VIDEO)
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 — A family has come up with a DIY automatic feeder that feeds up to 15 strays on the street at a time without creating a mess.
The brain child of the soon-to-be registered non-profit organisation —Stray Tales Society (STS), the idea for the feeder, which is able to contain up to three days’ worth of kibbles, arose from challenges of visiting feeding sites daily.
STS co-founder Loh Rachel said the feeder was a result of brainstorming sessions among her family — father Raymond, mother Shirleen Gan and sister Nicole — for a more efficient solution to feed strays.
“This led to the inception of the feeder project, designed to address the needs of dogs too weak or injured to undergo immediate spaying or neutering,” she told Malay Mail.
According to Rachel, the cost of the feeder ranges between RM250 and 300, depending on its size.
“We currently have two sizes for the feeders. There is the 45cm in diameter for smaller strays such as cats and the 60cm in diameter for larger strays i.e. dogs.”
Using tyres, PVC pipes and parts to secure them, Loh said the items were put together by a volunteer.
“Besides the hands-on involvement in the building process, the volunteer also played a crucial role in troubleshooting and refining the design,” she said, adding that the volunteer’s commitment was truly commendable.
Presently, three of these feeders are available at Semenyih, with an additional three in the pipeline.
The DIY feeder created by Stray Tales Society aims to help overcome the problem of visiting feeding sites daily. — Screen capture from TikTok/ Stray Tales Society (STS)
“While we would like to expand further, our progress is constrained by financial limitations.
“We are open to support that would help us overcome this hurdle and extend our impact in caring for more strays so that they can regain their health, ultimately preparing them for the crucial step of spaying or neutering,” Rachel said.
She said there had been some scepticism regarding the feeder.
“But we have embraced the responsibility of educating people about its purpose.”
On concerns that it might attract more strays, Rachel said their initiative was not an invitation for increased stray populations.
“Instead, it serves as a vital step in the rehabilitation process for these malnourished animals, preparing them for spaying or neutering. Through awareness and understanding, we believe this approach is instrumental in curbing the overall stray population.”
Rachel also said that STS’s primary goal was to provide nourishment and to enhance the physical well-being of strays, paving the way for the crucial step of spaying or neutering.
“To date, we have successfully spayed or neutered over seven dogs, with an additional three currently in foster care, undergoing rehabilitation to regain their health especially those facing challenges such as low platelet or red blood cell counts.”
For further details about STS, visit their Instagram.
