SEGAMAT: "Animals also have families who don't want them to become victims."
These are simple yet poignant words that illustrate the actions of flood victims willing to risk their safety to save their pets or other stray animals from disaster.
Their efforts flooded social media when the operation to rescue trapped cat victims, particularly in Kampung Seberang Batu Badak, Segamat, was carried out.
For Adha Abdullah, 17, the experience of failing to save some of their and their acquaintances' cats left behind in their house in Kampung Seberang Batu Badak, Segamat when the flood struck last March is one of the most difficult to forget.
"I had to wade through waist-deep floodwaters to save our family of cats and our acquaintances', but only a few survived.
"Most of them drowned, starved, and suffered from the cold due to the strong currents of the floodwaters," he shared, narrating the tale of sorrow in Kampung Seberang Batu Badak today.
During yesterday's flood, they took early action to prioritise rescuing their pets, whom they considered family, not wanting a repeat of the tragic events.
"We understand that the fire department and the Civil Defence Force are overwhelmed with rescuing humans and others, so it wouldn't hurt to lend a helping hand in saving the lives of the pets," he said.
The student of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Gemerih said all the rescued cat are under the care of friends and acquaintances.
"Perhaps for some people, these cats are just animals, but for us, they also have families," he said.
Meanwhile, another resident and flood victim in Kampung Seberang Batu Badak, Nur Sholihah Raja Shahrin, 29, said she did not hesitate to take her family of cats on a rescue boat to a safe location.
"I asked the rescue team to take my family members first while I ensured the safety of the cats.
"Kudos to the rescue team for not hesitating and asked me to bring the cats along," she said today.
Nur Sholihah hoped that volunteers would provide a mobile animal clinic offering free treatment and food for flood-affected animals here.
"During the flood season, some animals might become ill due to waterborne diseases and being abandoned. They can receive treatment at the mobile animal clinic."