THE island of Penang, famed for its street food and heritage sites, can now add a cat beach to its long list of attractions.

Tucked away in a fishing village in Teluk Bahang, a 40-minute scenic ride from George Town, 300 rescue cats roam free on a small patch of beach under the watchful eye of caretaker Teviot Fairservis.

Fairservis, an American expat and former English teacher, started Cat Beach Sanctuary when she was introduced to Nana Wan Chik, a fisherman who had been feeding stray cats for decades. Together, they renovated an old wooden house which now houses the cats.

Most cats have free reign of the beach but injured or sick cats are kept separately to be nursed back to health. Mothers and kittens are also given a private space. All the cats have been rescued from life and death situations.

For the past three years, the sanctuary has been running on Fairservis’ savings and donations from the public.

In the near future, she has two goals: community outreach which prioritises education and partnerships with organisations and corporations which focuses on sustainability. - October 6, 2018.