For Sheila McClelland, the greatest friend four-legged creatures could imagine, settling on Lamma Island in Hong Kong 16 years ago led to a life-altering experience.

The credit goes to a dog named Boodhai. “I saw him in the village being held up by a little paw when he was four weeks old,” Sheila said. “At the time, dogs scared me. But I looked into Boodhai’s lovely eyes and became smitten. I couldn’t resist and took him home. His pure innocence totally changed my attitudes.”

Later Sheila established Lamma Animal Protection (LAP), a charity operated by volunteers to protect animals and limit their numbers through sterilization. Most active in rescue and adoption, LAP joins the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), Hong Kong Dog Rescue, Hong Kong Alley Cat Watch and the Lamma Animal Welfare Centre among Hong Kong’s most animal-friendly groups.

Born in Ireland, Sheila, a freelance English teacher, grew up in Ghana. She has lived in the US, England and Brazil.

Typically, Sheila and her English husband, John Elphinstone, who heads a media production company, share their hillside home with more than 20 dogs and 15 cats, most awaiting adoption. They’ve rescued birds, chinchillas, rabbits, guinea pigs and turtles too.

“We have lovely cats and dogs looking for homes,” Sheila said. Her roll-call has memorable names like Goldie, Hunter, Copper, Sheba, Mimi, Quinn and Puff Teddy. She also supervises a foster-home network to feed and shelter dozens more animals.

Some pets easily find new homes. Others stay for years. “We’ve cared for innumerable ones,” Sheila said. “Really, I couldn’t estimate how many.”

“One month, we had 47 neo-natal kittens in our house, and they exhausted us. Each time I fed a litter, I’d need to change my garment to avoid cross-infecting. By the time I reached the end, I’d need to start again.”

When interviewed, Sheila basked in satisfaction at homing four animals the previous day. “We always ask questions and try to match a family’s lifestyle to an animal’s personality,” Sheila said. “Sometimes we’ve made mistakes, but none we couldn’t rectify.”

Success can stir elation. But if things turn tragic, anguish ensues. “It’s deeply emotional,” Sheila said. “Every animal’s an individual. I’ve never met two dogs or cats with similar characters. Each is utterly different. It’s heartbreaking if they fall ill or die. Yet it’s still rewarding to give them the best chance or a dignified end. Of course, the greatest pleasure comes when you have beautiful, bouncing, furry, bright-eyed, gorgeous animals. I know it’s worthwhile.”

Many animals entering Sheila’s care have suffered from human cruelty. Some were beaten, burned, neglected or dumped like litter.

“When I walk past rubbish bins, I often hear kittens inside,” Sheila said. “I’ve seen puppies tossed like balls. Once I found kittens covered in wet cement. Luckily, my friend Karen Argyle had long fingernails and picked the drying cement away from their nostrils. They’re fine now, but we still talk about the concrete kitties.”

Why do people abuse animals? “Ignorance,” Sheila said. “They lack empathy or don’t realize the pain inflicted. They just try to get rid of something unwanted.”

Similarly, Sheila’s horrified by incidents of poisoned food left for unsuspecting animals. At age 10, Boodhai, her first dog, died in a poisoning case.

Gradually, Sheila realized that coping with homeless animals required spaying and neutering them. Working with veterinarian Hans de Vries and the SPCA, she has de-sexed more than 500 feral cats.

When Sheila appears in Lamma’s largest village, wagging tails, outstretched paws and friendly woofs surround her – not from her own animals, but from those she’s helped to find happy homes. These adoring fans swarm her like groupies around a rock-star. “That’s lovely,” she said. “I’m glad they remember me and want to visit.”

Even humans benefit. “Constantly, I receive photos and videos of animals that we’ve homed,” Sheila said. “People update us, saying how wonderful the animals are. We’ve made the human companions happy too.”

While seeking permanent or foster homes for animals, LAP accepts donations and welcomes enquiries via its Website (www.lap.org.hk) or email (sheila@lap.org.hk).

ARCHIVES

Sheila cleans and cares for kittens.

Mimi, a handicapped dog who runs on wheels, joins Sheila at the beach.


A senior cat craves attention.


Sheila's adoring family surrounds her.


Canines named Copper, left, and Sheba
snuggle while waiting for adoption.