Couple running Kitty Hotel have not celebrated Aidilfitri for years, as they take care of other people's cats

This Woman Sacrifices Her Hari Raya Every Year Just To Take Care Of Other People’s Pets




Each year as Muslims celebrate the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festivity with their families, a woman, dedicates herself to taking care of other people’s cats instead.

The owner of Erul Catscare Palace, Yong Seluwati Alias, 42, and her husband Khirul Ahmad Salfa, 35, have not had the privilege to celebrate the occasion for years since the start of her business in 2009.

The pair started off with their pet store and cat hotel with only RM14,000, in a two-storey shop lot they rented for RM2,800 monthly in Pusat Perdagangan Subang Permai.

But now, they have expanded with four outlets, two in Shah Alam (Section U16 and 13), one in Sungai Buloh and another in Kuala Kangsar.

Photo: Antarapos

“Since the store’s opening until now, my husband and I leave to our hometowns for only two hours then make our way home to take care of the cats.

“Although we have our employees, we take turns because there are those who leave earlier for the holidays, and when they return, the others will go on leave. We’ve not taken any leave, "she told Berita Daily of the working arrangement during the raya celebration.

Photo: Harian Metro

Despite not spending quality time in her hometown, Yong shared that her family is understanding of the nature of her business.

“They see it as a form of sustenance. We have to make sacrifices and our families understand this, "she added.

She further shared that festive seasons and school holidays are usually the peak period, which is expectedly flourishing for their business.

“It’s usually a full house for the cat hotel during the school holidays and Hari Raya holidays. The response is overwhelming," she relayed.

However, due to the limited space, bookings need to be made by owners prior to lodging their cats. Yong shared that the beginning of Ramadan is when she opens up the slots, and usually two to three days before the festivity, the owners will show up to send their pets.

Photo: Berita Daily

During the festive seasons, the boarding cost is RM20, and on normal days, it is RM18.

But it is not the money that drives Yong, it is her passion for the felines since at a young age, that has kept her going.

She also likens the cats to her own kids, and will shower them with the love and care they deserve while their owners are away.

Surely knowing our pets are safe in the hands of a caretaker like Yong, is enough to ease any owner’s balik kampung journey, and thankfully, there are people like her who are willing to go that extra mile and make the noble sacrifice.



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