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Catsoterra

TNR · Do No Harm · Transparency

Meet the Team

Dedicated individuals working together for the welfare of Malaysia's street cats.

Our Story

Catsoterra began with a shared dream: to change how Malaysia cares for its street cats. What started as a small group of passionate individuals quickly grew into a dedicated team, united by a belief in structured, humane, and sustainable TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return).

Our members may be spread across continents — from the streets of Penang to homes in the United States — but distance doesn’t divide us. Whether on the ground trapping, coordinating vet care, designing systems, or sharing our mission with the world, every member works just as hard toward the same goal: healthier cats, balanced colonies, and a future where compassion drives every action.

This is more than just our work. It’s our calling.

Danny

Daniel Lok Chin Leung

Co-Founder / CEO

Daniel Leung began by founding Cats Of Penang, a small grassroots initiative that quickly grew in scale and responsibility. As the work expanded, it evolved into Catsoterra — where Daniel now serves as a co-founder — built with one goal in mind: to create something that can truly last.
After years of helping animals in personal and informal ways, he realized that compassion alone wasn’t enough. Real, lasting change would require structure, sustainability, and a clear, long-term purpose.
Catsoterra was never meant to be a reaction — it was designed to be a solution. From the very beginning, the mission was to create a model that didn’t depend on constant fundraising or crisis-driven appeals, but instead empowered the community through education, partnerships, and service. Whether building a TNR program from the ground up or advocating for fair, humane treatment of animals, every step reflects the belief that strong systems allow good people to do great work.
Daniel is not a career nonprofit executive. He is a respiratory therapist, a student, and someone who saw a gap in the current ecosystem and chose to act. What started as a simple, heartfelt effort has transformed into a focused mission to make animal welfare more accessible, more transparent, and more accountable — not just for today, but for the future.
For him, Catsoterra isn’t only about helping cats. It is about proving that with the right care, planning, and heart, you can build something that truly matters.

Jules

Julia Hannah Binti Zulkifli

Co-Founder / COO

Julia’s journey into animal welfare didn’t begin with passion — it began with apathy. For years, she viewed the struggles of stray animals as an unfortunate but unchangeable part of the system. That changed the day a sick black mother cat appeared in her home compound with her equally fragile kittens. The kittens did not survive, but the mother did — and caring for her forever altered the course of Julia’s life.
In that painful moment, she found purpose. She saw God’s guidance in the resilience of that cat, and over time, she transformed from someone who felt powerless within the system into someone determined to change it. She rescued countless cats from the streets, often without the means or resources to sustain their care — but she learned, adapted, and grew with every challenge.
Julia’s evolution reflects a wider truth: anyone can change, anyone can grow, and anyone can rise to meet the needs of their community. What began as a single act of compassion has shaped her into not only a co-founder of Catsoterra, but also a committed advocate for transparency, humane treatment, and long-term solutions in Malaysian animal welfare.
Despite her youth, she embodies the adaptive Malaysian spirit — resilient, driven, and unwilling to give up on what matters. Becoming one of Malaysia’s youngest co-founders of a CLBG is no small achievement; it is a testament to her heart, her discipline, and her belief that meaningful change is possible.
Today, Julia continues to learn, to grow, and to serve — one cat at a time — guided by faith, fortified by experience, and supported by a team that shares her vision for a better, kinder future.

Calvin

Calvin Khoo Zhen Chen

Co-Founder / CTO

Calvin has always been fascinated by technology. Long before university, he spent his free time reading about emerging innovations and teaching himself programming concepts, from basic coding to data science. This curiosity eventually led him to Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), where he pursued a degree in Computer Science and quickly became involved in improving digital platforms within his academic community. For Calvin, web development soon became as natural as breathing — a skill he didn’t just practice, but lived.
When he discovered Catsoterra’s mission, something clicked. Although he didn’t come from an animal-welfare background, he saw a rare opportunity: a place where his technical abilities could create real, measurable impact. He joined Cats Of Penang during its early grassroots stage and became one of the youngest co-founders responsible for helping transform it into Catsoterra Berhad.
What Calvin brought to the organization was not traditional rescue experience, but something equally important — the potential to reshape animal welfare through technology. With a clear vision and a willingness to innovate, he is dedicated to building digital tools, data systems, and accessible platforms that strengthen TNR efforts across Penang.
Today, Calvin continues to challenge the complexities of tech development while balancing university life and co-founder responsibilities. Driven, curious, and committed, he represents the new generation of Malaysian changemakers — using technology not just to solve problems, but to build a better future for animals and the communities around them.

Ricky

Johnny Trogdon

CSO / North American Liaison

Ricky has always considered himself a dog person — but when it comes to animal welfare, his compassion has never been limited by species. The moment he learned about Catsoterra and its mission, he felt an immediate connection and knew he wanted to be part of something bigger.
Today, Ricky serves as Chief Strategic Officer and North American Liaison, helping bridge global support for the cats of Penang. With years of management, leadership, and organizational planning experience, he brings structure, clarity, and long-term vision to Catsoterra’s growth.
Ricky’s strategic roadmaps keep the team focused, motivated, and aligned as the organization transforms from a grassroots movement into a nationwide force for animal welfare. No matter the distance, his dedication ensures that Catsoterra continues to reach greater heights — and that every step forward is built on purpose, compassion, and a shared mission to protect Penang’s cats.

Sally

Sally Loo Phoay Eng

CMO / Veteran Cat Guardian

Lovingly known as Aunty Kucing or Aunty Sally, she’s a familiar face to many cats in need across Penang. Whenever she sees a sick or motionless stray by the roadside, she simply cannot walk away. She stops, checks on them, and if needed, brings them to the vet — then nurses them back to health in her own home. To Sally, every cat deserves a second chance. Even in her retirement, with no steady income, she continues her mission. Sally believes that as human beings, it’s our duty to help those who cannot help themselves. And that’s exactly what she does — one cat at a time.

Syd

Sydney VanderHeyden

Community Engagement Lead

Before moving to Penang, Sydney spent years in U.S. classrooms, dedicating herself to teaching, connecting, and making a meaningful impact on young lives. She now brings that same passion and purpose to Catsoterra Berhad, where her work blends education, community engagement, and storytelling.
Today, Sydney serves as our Chief Marketing Officer, overseeing social media, public outreach, and educational initiatives. For her, every post, campaign, and conversation is an opportunity to inspire empathy, build awareness, and bring people closer to the animals who need them most.
Sydney’s background in education and social outreach makes her an invaluable part of our leadership team. Her voice strengthens our mission, her creativity expands our reach, and her heart helps guide Catsoterra toward a more compassionate future for Penang’s cats.

Want to Join Our Team?

We're always looking for passionate individuals to help us grow.

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