She is a former world champion and a two-time Sportswoman of the Year, but bowler Shayna Ng has not just dedicated her life to be the best in her sport, she also finds time to help others.
In 2013, she shaved her head for the Children's Cancer Foundation Hair for Hope, helping to raise about $20,000 in this annual fundraising initiative.
Before winning the All Events title at the 2015 Women's World Bowling Championships, she and her friends started The Invisible Hands, a project to distribute basic necessities to the underprivileged.
Today, Ng is an ambassador for the Cat Welfare Society (CWS), a role she took on in 2016.
The mission of CWS, a charity which was registered as a society in 1999, is to engage the community for the sustainable and humane management of cats in Singapore. The group conducts advocacy, sterilisation, mediation and educational outreach programmes.
Besides running a Love Cats programme in Chong Pang, where cat ownership is legal in the HDB estate, it also conducts monthly adoption drives with Pet Lovers Centre to encourage people to adopt rather than buy cats, and raising funds for cat sterilisation.
Ng said: "The collaboration with CWS was through the Singapore Sports Institute, which linked us up.
"I've always been an animal lover, especially cats. My beliefs are also pretty aligned with CWS, so if I can help spread the word, why not?"
Ng said the group hopes to reduce cat abuse and help every animal find a loving home.
The CWS has only three full-time employees, who mediate between cat owners and government-related agencies. It relies on a team of about 20 volunteers to run events.
CWS president Thenuga Vijakumar, a 33-year-old lawyer, thanked the volunteers for their "admirable" effort, adding: "There is a variety of ways for the public to contribute.
"Volunteering their time and donating funds to help us continue our work are the two most popular modes of assistance.
"Shayna has a following and great clout, which helps us increase awareness about sterilisation and choosing adoption over purchases.
"She personally believes in both and advocates for us, which speaks volumes to her followers."
• For more information, e-mail CWS at info@catwelfare.org or volunteers@catwelfare.org or go to the Facebook page at fb.com/catwelfaresg
