Dinner, bids and second chances for Penang’s strays

On Nov 15, welfare groups HaiwanKu Penang and Anna Rescue hope to turn an evening of dining, entertainment and generosity into practical help for stray animals that may need weeks or even months of care.

The Paws Affair 2026, to be held at Seven Terraces Hotel in George Town, will raise funds for rescue operations, veterinary treatment, rehabilitation, food and shelter, as well as neutering and spaying programmes.

Anna Rescue founder Anna Ayuda said bringing an animal to safety is only the first step towards healing, safety and a loving home. Veterinary treatment, recovery and neutering/spaying can all be costly, which is why every contribution can help a dog or cat receive the care it needs.

“Together, we can make room for more animals in need and ensure each one of them is met with kindness, dignity and the chance to live safely alongside us,” she said.

HaiwanKu founder Lois Liew said The Paws Affair is intended to turn sympathy into something more tangible. “When animals have no voice, we have a responsibility,” she stressed, adding that funds raised will support HaiwanKu’s medical care and trap-neuter-return programmes.

The evening begins at 6pm with welcome drinks and talks on animal welfare and rescue work, including one by a veterinarian. From 7pm, guests move to Kebaya Restaurant for a Peranakan dinner accompanied by orchestral music, live performances and a T-shirt modelling showcase.

At 9pm comes the main fundraising auction, with donated items ranging from a collector’s watch and jewellery to original oil paintings, beauty treatments, sunglasses, cookware and tableware.

Among the more unusual lots are kebaya ensembles for cats and dogs – complete with headpieces! – created by Malaysian designer Melinda Looi.

There will also be a lucky draw, with prizes including dining experiences at Daily Dose Café and Kebaya Dining Room, as well as a RM100 Mews Café voucher.

The organisers have not set a firm fundraising target: while raising more would allow the groups to help more animals, Ayuda is mindful of the financial pressures many families are already facing.

“Times are tough, prices keep rising and many people are struggling. We’re already grateful that people are supporting us by buying charity dinner tickets,” she said.

Those who are unable to attend can still support the cause through a direct donation.

So give what you can, if you can – and if an evening of food, music, company and designer doggy kebaya can improve the lives of Penang’s strays, so much the better.

The Paws Affair 2026

• When: Sunday, Nov 15 from 6pm
• Where: Seven Terraces Hotel, George Town, Penang
• Tickets: RM300 per person, RM2,400 per table

To attend or make a donation, kindly transfer to Public Bank account 3245 715 021 (Pertubuhan Haiwanku Pulau Pinang) with the reference ‘The Paws Affair’.

Please inform Lois Liew of HaiwanKu Penang at 012-438 8373 of your booking or contribution. For further information, do get in touch with Lois as well.

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