KC Valley Animal Spa Day, A Day of Caring and Learning

On June 8th, 2024, five dedicated volunteers from Sunway Student Volunteers participated in the KC Valley Animal Spa Day at the KC Valley Animal Shelter in Rawang, Selangor. The event, held from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., aimed to support the shelter’s mission of rescuing, rehabbing, retraining, and rehoming stray and injured animals.

KC Valley, founded by Dr KC Chia, began in 2019 with a small group of animal lovers and officially registered as Persatuan Kegembiraan Haiwan Lembah in 2020. As of 2023, the shelter has provided a haven for over 250 dogs, 20 cats, and various other animals including cows, goats, rabbits, ducks, chickens, geese, and turtles. Their vision is to create a self-sustained sanctuary while encouraging the younger generation to love and care for animals.

The volunteers gathered early at the Sunway College Foyer, setting off for Rawang with enthusiasm. Upon arriving around 9:00 a.m., they waited for Tim, the person in charge, to escort them into the shelter. Located deep within a challenging terrain, the shelter is not easily accessible by regular cars.

At the shelter, the volunteers were warmly welcomed by Dr. KC Chia, who introduced them to the dogs and posed for a group photo. Tim then provided a comprehensive tour of the shelter, showcasing the diverse animals under their care. The first task of the day involved cleaning the cats’ eyes and ears and trimming their nails, with volunteers working in small groups to ensure each cat received proper attention.

After the cat care session, the volunteers explored the river area, where they engaged in removing mud to clear river clogs. Dr KC Chia also provided an insightful talk on welding, giving volunteers a chance to try their hand at this useful skill. The day’s activities continued with the volunteers assisting in digging holes for new construction projects within the shelter.

Despite the event's meticulous planning, nature had its own agenda. Around 3:45 p.m., rain forced the team to halt their work and return to campus. Nonetheless, the experience was enriching and enjoyable, providing volunteers with unique insights and hands-on experience in animal care and shelter management.

Though the tasks were varied and sometimes ad-hoc, the event was a resounding success. Each volunteer left with a sense of fulfilment, having contributed to the well-being of the animals and the ongoing efforts of KC Valley.

By participating in such events, Sunway Student Volunteers continue to embody the spirit of community service and animal welfare, aligning with KC Valley’s mission to foster a compassionate and caring society.

The volunteers’ involvement in the KC Valley Animal Spa Day is a testament to the power of community and the impact of hands-on volunteer work. As Sunway Student Volunteers looks forward to more such collaborations, the experiences and memories from this day will serve as a cornerstone for future initiatives aimed at making a positive difference in the lives of animals and people alike.

If you are interested in knowing more about our events, check out our social media pages: @sunway_ssv on Instagram and Sunway Student Volunteers on Facebook!