The Altruistic Traveller
  • Home
  • Destinations
    • Africa
    • Cambodia
    • Colombia
    • Europe
    • India
    • Indonesia
    • Laos
    • Malaysia
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Mexico
    • Nepal
    • Philippines
    • Thailand
    • Vietnam
  • Travel Resources
    • What is Responsible Tourism
    • How to be a Sustainable Traveller
    • What is Community-based Tourism
    • Responsible Volunteering
    • The Rise of Impact Travel
    • Ethical Animal Encounters
    • The Importance of Fair Trade
    • Responsible Travel Websites
    • Sustainable Tourism Podcasts
    • Travel Insurance (that covers COVID-19)
  • About Me
    • The Altruistic Traveller Story
    • Personal Stories
    • Podcast Interviews
  • Media
    • Featured In
    • Work with me
    • Submit a Guest Blog Post
    • Book a Podcast Interview
  • Support
  • Contact Me

The Altruistic Traveller

Banner
  • Home
  • Destinations
    • Africa
    • Cambodia
    • Colombia
    • Europe
    • India
    • Indonesia
    • Laos
    • Malaysia
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Mexico
    • Nepal
    • Philippines
    • Thailand
    • Vietnam
  • Travel Resources
    • What is Responsible Tourism
    • How to be a Sustainable Traveller
    • What is Community-based Tourism
    • Responsible Volunteering
    • The Rise of Impact Travel
    • Ethical Animal Encounters
    • The Importance of Fair Trade
    • Responsible Travel Websites
    • Sustainable Tourism Podcasts
    • Travel Insurance (that covers COVID-19)
  • About Me
    • The Altruistic Traveller Story
    • Personal Stories
    • Podcast Interviews
  • Media
    • Featured In
    • Work with me
    • Submit a Guest Blog Post
    • Book a Podcast Interview
  • Support
  • Contact Me
Animal FriendlyMalaysiaVolunteering

How Travellers Can Help the Animal Community in Langkawi Malaysia

by Bianca Caruana November 23, 2015October 7, 2018
written by Bianca Caruana November 23, 2015October 7, 2018
How Travellers Can Help the Animal Community in Langkawi Malaysia

You can certainly get used to Langkawi Island life, days by the beach, the sounds of the afternoon island rains, the laid back lifestyle of the locals. But that’s not all there is to do on this charming island off the western coast of Malaysia. There’s a way to give a little back to the animal community that resides here on the island and today I wanted to visit a project that is dedicated to supporting the cats and dogs that call Langkawi home.

Langkawi Malaysia

In a previous post I wrote of the China House in Penang and how they support an organisation that rehabilitates and cares for neglected, abused and needy animals, the LASSie Foundation. The sanctuary is located here, in Bon Ton Langkawi and today I wanted to spend some time getting to know about the amazing work they do, and perhaps spend some time with these loveable creatures to show how other travellers can help the organisation while on their way through Langkawi.

Dog

The LASSie animal sanctuary houses a number of cats and dogs that are stray, have been neglected by their previous owners or have been injured in accidents. As I drove through the sanctuary driveway I could hear the sounds of the dogs barking and saw a few of the dedicated volunteers taking their canine friends for a walk. On any given day the sanctuary needs volunteers to help with the dog walking so I decided to step in and give them a hand. Dorothy, a long-term volunteer, handed me Happy and Peaches and off we went around the grounds, the two sniffing and acting playfully as they pulled on my leash and almost took me for a walk.

Happy the dog Walking Happy the dog

Dog walking Volunteers walking the dogs around the grounds

We arrived back to one of the buildings where the dogs live. They are well set out with no more than three dogs per area which all look like they have found a loving home, which may be permanent or temporary until they are adopted by another family. We let Happy and Peaches back into their quarters and grab the next lot of eager dogs to take for a walk, this time I get Tigger, the energetic and loveable Hound. All the dogs are very friendly and excited when they see there is someone to walk them.

Tigger the dog Tigger the dog. We can see where he gets his name.

Dogs Waiting for us to take them out.

The sanctuary houses a number of dogs so the need for volunteers is very high and the organisation often welcomes travellers who are able to spend a few hours from 9:45am – 12 all days of the week to help keep these adorable creatures happy. You just need to give a few days notice or get in touch with the organisation to show your interest.

I was able to take a look through the rest of the sanctuary on my visit. They house a number of cats, many which have been injured with signs of a harsh life on the streets. There is a room where they conduct veterinary examinations and look after the neediest of the animals, however there is no longer an in-house vet, instead one that visits on occasion. In saying that, all the animals are treated with great care and the sanctuary even offers de-sexing to stray animals so to keep the stray animal population at bay.

Cats The sanctuary also helps a number of cats.

Recovering cat I met this little one recovering from an injured leg.

Vet room

The veterinary room for recovering animals.

If you’re looking for a way to give back to the Langkawi community I highly recommend spending some time at the sanctuary. Travel is not only about seeing the sights but also about getting involved in the culture and community of a place. This is a wonderful cause to support and also have a little fun with these loveable creatures while you are here.

Berjaya

Berjaya the wonder dog who was rehabilitated after a bag accident and now roams the grounds with a little help from her wheelchair.

If you would like to volunteer some time you can contact LASSie here. If you haven’t got too much time in Langkawi consider going to eat at the Bon Ton restaurant or stay at the Bon Ton Resort, as some of the profits of these businesses directly support the costs that are needed to keep the sanctuary running and continue to provide a safe home to the animals of Langkawi.

Dog walking

 

0 comment
FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinRedditStumbleuponEmail
previous post
Penang, Malaysia – For the love of Food, Art and Cats
next post
Ethical Eateries in Bangkok, Thailand

You may also like

Why the Cameron Highlands is a Must See...

November 16, 2015

The one where Kuala Lumpur taught me about...

November 15, 2015

Travel and help to rehabilitate Cambodia’s injured wildlife

August 12, 2015

Penang, Malaysia – For the love of Food,...

November 18, 2015

Teaching English In The Remote Jungle Villages Of...

March 21, 2016

Swimming with Whale Sharks in Donsol Philippines (The...

May 16, 2016

25 Ways to Travel For Less Than $50...

October 12, 2020

The Fashion Revolution comes to Malaysia

April 26, 2016

10 Of The World’s Best Places For Wildlife...

June 23, 2016

10 Of The World’s Best Places For Wildlife...

June 22, 2016

About Bianca

About Bianca

The Altruistic Traveller

I am a freelance journalist, blogger & podcast host specialising in stories that ignite thoughts surrounding compassion, ethics and the happiness of all beings. I travel the world as a digital nomad with the aim to promote ethical values and give a voice to those who are making the world a better place.

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Linkedin Spotify

This Travel Insurance Covers COVID-19

incurance-that-covers-covid-19

House Sit & Travel The World

trusted-housesitters

The best undies for zero-waste travel

Responsible Travel (Virtually) with I Like Local

I-like-local

JOIN THE IMPACT TRAVEL ALLIANCE MEDIA NETWORK

Are you a travel blogger / photographer / creative specialising in sustainable travel? Join the ITA media network.

Volunteer Remotely with the nomads giving back! volunteer matching program

volunteer-matching

Find Ethical Food Venues

fair-food-forager

The Wanderluster’s Mind Podcast

Listen to my latest podcast interview with Abby Lewtas, speaking about responsible tourism and accessing inner wisdom.
TWM - Social Bianca TAT

Newsletter

Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Let's stay updated!

FOLLOW ME

Tweets

My latest for @WorldFootprints: #Bali battles a plastic ocean while eagerly awaiting economic respite https://t.co/U58sE849me #WarOnWaste

08-Feb-2021

Reply Retweet Favorite
I am micro-investing with Raiz. If you join using this link, we will both get $5 when you use my invite code: https://t.co/mTmv1jg3zt

08-Feb-2021

Reply Retweet Favorite
#ShareTheMeal is the world's first app against hunger. ShareTheMeal now: https://t.co/NzAr8tq5gd

07-Feb-2021

Reply Retweet Favorite
Could you be the co-founder of a sustainable fashion social enterprise supporting women in rural regions of Uganda?… https://t.co/4eNUAT965D

07-Feb-2021

Reply Retweet Favorite
Travel Without Leaving Your City: Learning Refugees' Stories through Food https://t.co/wbdVPEWkqh @impacttravelall… https://t.co/Ohtgj4IlrU

04-Feb-2021

Reply Retweet Favorite

LATEST TRAVEL TIPS

Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Let's stay updated!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
  • Email
  • Soundcloud
  • Spotify
  • RSS

@2021 - The Altruistic Traveller. Developed by Cybernite Technologies.
The Altruistic Traveller uses affiliate links. If you make a purchase using a link we may receive a commission. Such revenue helps keep this website running, and allows us to keep the content free for readers like you.
This website uses cookies. To learn more or opt-out please visit our Privacy Policy.


Back To Top