By WANI MUTHIAH

PORT KLANG, Malaysia: Two whitewater rafters' love and compassion for dogs have prompted them to team up to rescue the abandoned animals in Pulau Selat Kering near here.

Marjorie Gabriel and Karin Lee, who are based in Kuala Kubu Baru, have so far made six trips to the desolate island.

"We had to do something, as both of us couldn't bear to imagine the dogs suffering without food and water on the uninhabited island," said Lee, who is also a Hulu Selangor district councillor.

The duo even brought along a canoe to replenish the food and water on the several pontoons they had constructed around the island for the abandoned dogs.

Both women are volunteering their services with the Furry Friends Farm (FFF) rescue team.

So far, some 30 dogs have been rescued from the 400 which had been dumped on the island.

The residents had claimed that the dogs were left on Pulau Selat Kering because they did not like the way the Klang Municipal Council dealt with strays.

The matter had raised international ire with global animal welfare groups lambasting the authorities for allowing it to happen.

Gabriel said it was getting more difficult to rescue the dogs as they seemed to have retreated further into the mangrove-covered island.