A GROUP of cats found starving on what appeared to be an abandoned floating structure off Pulau Ketam, Klang, are now the subject of a rescue effort after footage of the animals circulated widely on TikTok.
The cats were discovered by angler Syafiq Suhaime, who was in the area when he noticed them on the dilapidated structure.
Syafiq said many of the cats appeared severely underweight and hungry, with some biting his hand when he tried to get closer.
He believed the animals had been without sufficient food and water for some time.
Syafiq, however, was unable to rescue all of them as he was alone on his boat. He was also using an inflatable boat, making it difficult and potentially dangerous to reach the structure.
“Sorry guys, I can’t help because I’m alone on the boat and this is an inflatable boat. Safety comes first,” he said in his TikTok post.
The structure itself appeared to have been abandoned for a considerable period, with Syafiq noting the thick layers of barnacles covering it.
His video quickly drew the attention of animal lovers, with several people subsequently travelling to Pulau Ketam to help rescue the cats.
10 cats rescued
In a follow-up TikTok post, user @Uyienaaa_ said 10 cats had been rescued and were now under her care.
However, she estimated that between five and eight cats were still at the location.
She said efforts would continue to bring the remaining animals to safety, although some were frightened of people and difficult to approach.
She also thanked those who travelled to the area to assist with the rescue, as well as Syafiq for sharing the footage that brought attention to the cats’ plight.
Several cats were reportedly found dead at the site and were due to be buried.
Those rescued were said to be suffering from severe malnutrition and required urgent medical attention.
Threads user Pherbies estimated that between RM6,000 and RM7,000 would be needed to cover the rescued cats’ immediate medical treatment.
The rescue effort is continuing, with animal lovers working to reach the remaining cats and bring them off the abandoned structure.
What started as a fishing trip for Syafiq has since drawn attention to a group of cats that had apparently been left on the structure for months.
The immediate priority now is to get the remaining animals to safety and provide the rescued cats with the treatment they need. – August 13, 2026
See video here https://www.facebook.com/reel/1374694747420065
