This Loving M'sian Couple Cares For Over 27 Paralysed & Differently-Abled Cats
Nur Hanariawati shared that she started rescuing abandoned cats during the pandemic.
By May Vin Ang — 04 Mar 2025, 10:55 AM
A compassionate husband and wife in Kota Kemuning have dedicated their lives to rescuing and caring for paralysed and differently-abled cats, whom they lovingly call kucing kurang upaya (KKU)
Concerned by the number of abandoned cats during the Movement Control Order (MCO) over four years ago, Nur Hanariawati Mohd Najib, 45, and her husband, Baharim Abu Bakar, 47, founded Rumah Katsumi as a sanctuary for these special needs felines.
Through their TikTok account, @ceritakucingkatsumi, they share heartwarming daily stories of their 50 rescued cats — including 27 with disabilities — who now call their 2,000 sq ft home their safe haven.
"I used to care for healthy cats, but my journey with disabled cats began in 2021 when I came across numerous social media posts seeking adopters for injured cats. I started with one, and now I have rescued 27, not counting those that have died," Nur Hanariawati told Bernama.
Determined to give these cats the best quality of life, the couple has transformed their home into a dedicated care facility
Even their own bedroom serves as a makeshift clinic, complete with a diaper-changing table to accommodate the cats' needs.
Nur Hanariawati shared that many of their rescues — ranging from three months to four years old — were left paralysed due to vehicle accidents, falls from buildings, or abuse by irresponsible individuals.
They've taken in cats from all over Malaysia, including Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Pahang, Terengganu, and Kelantan.
Caring for these cats is a round-the-clock commitment.
Nur Hanariawati changes their diapers up to five times a day, cleans their space, and even helps them urinate and defecate, as they are unable to do so on their own.
Speaking to SAYS, the couple shared that they learnt how to take care of the paralysed cats from certified veterinarians.
As a full-time housewife, Nur Hanariawati runs mostly everything on her own, while Baharim, who operates a cat grooming and pet care service, helps cover the costs of their feline family.
However, Baharim shared that the biggest challenge in caring for their paralysed cats is managing the financial burden
On average, they spend up to RM1,200 weekly on food, diapers, wee pads, multivitamins, and general medical care for their special needs cats. If a cat requires veterinary treatment, the expenses can climb even higher.
"We personally cover the costs of treatment and cat care. However, if expenses exceed RM2,000, we seek public donations," Nur Hanariawati told Bernama, but expressed gratitude that their social media presence has helped raise awareness and support.
"Alhamdulillah, Malaysians are generally very generous," she added.
Follow Cerita Kucing Katsumi on Instagram and TikTok to show support for Rumah Katsumi and keep up-to-date with their cats' shenanigans.
If you wish to donate to help their cause, you can contact Rumah Katsumi by phone at +018-9757179 or direct message them on Instagram.
