The Animal Petting Place or Taman Pencinta Haiwan, a fun place to visit at Kg Selaud Tuaran held a promotional gig outside their place recently where they went to City Mall to showcase their offerings.
Spokesperson for the outlet Azman Saidin said the event was held in collaboration with City Mall, Youth and Sports Department, 1B Mall and ITCC Penampang.
He said they had been very supportive and thus his group would be holding their show every weekend.
“We collect money from the public who want to take a photo with our costumed group. The money will go towards paying our staff,” he said.
Saidin is wheelchair bound and was thrown into his condition through a mishap several years ago while working as a paramedic in Langkawi, Kedah. He is a single parent with a young daughter; his wife having died when giving birth to their only child.
According to him, an animal petting place where tame animals could be touched, petted and photographed by visitors is his venture to be self-sufficient and support his family.
“The animals include 50 rabbits of various breeds like Angora, Lion head and Jersey rabbit, among others,” he said adding that they also have a monkey, a slow loris and tortoises.
Besides these animals, there are also plants such as orchids, a therapeutic plant and ‘pokok ajaib’ (Synsepalum dulcificum). They will be added on to as time goes on, according to Azman.
He is quite enterprising actually and cultivate mushrooms in his compound. He said guests can buy them from him when there are ready to harvest. They go for RM12 a kilo.
Having done that, Azman does not rest on his laurels; he is also extending a helping hand to others with disabilities.
“I have employed 10 disabled people to work with me. They are physically impaired but able to move around,” he shared adding that they are staying with him in his house.
As for the future, he said that a jetty will be constructed near his house where the river flows. Keen anglers can try their rods there for RM25 inclusive of food.
“They can also bring their catch home as they are fishing in a river,” he shared.
Azman expressed his hopes that the general public will come and visit them, not only to enjoy the place but also to lend a helping hand to the less fortunate.
For those who wish to contact him for information and possible assistance call 014 3628585.-ce/BNN
