Hong Kong native to organise Pet Project Malaysia in January 2012

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FANCY participating in a dance fitness masterclass taught by the Les Mills Asia-Pacific team? How about a sports clinic organised by a football academy of a club in the Premier League?

For those looking to boost their endorphins and contribute to animal charity at the same time, then getting a ticket for the Pet Project Malaysia 2012 might just be the thing.

To be held at the British International School on Jan 7 next year, the Pet Project Malaysia 2012 is an 11-hour marathon of fitness and sports master classes. Aside from the master classes taught by renowned local and international fitness instructors, the event also promises activities and games for the family and young crowd, including futsal and a rock-climbing wall.

And for soccer fans of both genders and all ages, football marketing company Football Focus Asia will demonstrate a 45-minute workshop on drills and exercises taught by the Tottenham Hotspurs’ football training academy — all in the name of charity and animal welfare for abandoned pets and strays.

Freeze: British International School teaching assistant Rowena Alston, 25 frozen in place as she holds up publicity material for the upcoming event.

The Pet Project aims to raise funds for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) centred on animal welfare, including the Selangor chapter of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), Paws Mission, Animal Care and also the National Zoo.

For the originator of the project, Sabrina Saw, the driving idea behind Pet Project Malaysia 2012 is to have fun and do charity at the same time.

“It’s a change from having to guilt-trip people into giving, which isn’t what we want. So this combines fun and fitness with contributing to charity for animal welfare,” said Saw, a Hong Kong native who teaches dance at the British International School.

One driving factor for Saw to set up the Pet Project Malaysia was the plight of local strays and abused animals in Malaysia.

“My heart just goes out to these poor animals, and coming from a place where animal rights is quite protected, I wanted to do something for them,” she added.