PAW WOW: Natascha (second left) and her Pink Team members, who came second in the Amazing Race.
MIRI: The inaugural Hands.Paws.Claws Day organised yesterday by student ambassadors of the John Curtin Leadership Academy (JCLA) of Curtin Sarawak, was a great success with over 100 people and their dogs taking part.
Organising chairperson Kristy Nyagang said seven teams of four persons each took part in the Amazing race with dogs (treasure hunt), while 50 others took part in the Fun Run (4km – no pets required) while 13 others took part in the Cat Online photo contest, and several others volunteered in the event.
Among the participants were Natascha Caldenhove – the chairlady of the Persatuan Kebajikan Haiwan (Paws) Miri, Melissa Loh – president of ZeroStraysMiri and Jude Dominic Lim president of the Student Council, Curtin Sarawak.
Red Team comprising geologist David Velez and his wife Jessica, Kate Stewart (retiree) and Chang Chung Min (student of Curtin) emerged champion in the Amazing Race, while the champion in the Fun Run in the men and ladies categories respectively are Brian Travis Dielenberg and Wong Suok Fong. Mathew Sim Chee King won the Cat Online photo contest.
Kristy jointly presented prizes to the winners, along with Natascha, Loh, Jude and Eddy Lim Kim Sui (Sales Supervisor) of Petworld, one of the main sponsors of the event.
“I am very happy with the response to this programme – one of our academy projects.
“I proposed the event themed ‘Bringing People Closer to Animals’ because we hoped to instil in people a greater awareness on animals’ welfare and provide avenue for animal lovers to spend quality time and bond with their pets,” said Kristy when met by thesundaypost at the event.
She added the event was also in line with Paws’ and ZeroStraysMiri mission to assist the Miri City Council to reduce stray animals, particularly dogs and cats in the city.
The JCLA is Curtin University’s student leadership programme developed in honour of John Curtin, the 14th prime minister of Australia and after whom the university is named.
Its objectives are to instil John Curtin’s three core values of ‘Vision, Leadership and Community Service’.
TOP DOGS: Eddy (standing left) handing over the top prize to David and his red team members and pets.