Let me make one thing clear. This place is not a shelter and has never been a shelter. I don't know who came up with the word “Shelter” because it most certainly is not one.
What do you think the word “Shelter” in “Pak Mie Shelter” means?
A) A structure that protects you from the elements, danger or attack, and gives you a place to live.
B) An organisation which cares for strays and other homeless pets and seeks to find permanent homes for them.
If you think B, as I did, you are wrong. The correct answer is A. Pak Mie's place (I refuse to call it a shelter), is a place where stray animals or unwanted pets have a place to live and are safe from being hurt by hooligans who hate animals. That's all. The animals will NOT be adopted out. This is non-negotiable. They will live there until they die of old age or disease, whichever comes first, usually the latter. They will never become someone's beloved pet or a child's best friend. They will never go for walks or hikes. They will never play ball or fetch. They will never have a soft bed or a scratching post. They will just have a roof over their heads (if they are lucky, a non-leaky part), some food to eat, and some water to drink, sometimes. Some will never even step beyond the small circle where they are tied.
Pak Mie says, “The only way they are leaving this place is when I bury them.”
Animal shelter, my foot.
