Our Story: From Compassion to Commitment

Growing up in a once-flourishing town in Sabah, Malaysia, our founder Stephanie often found herself surrounded by neighbourhood stray dogs and cats. Their pitiful state and longing eyes left an imprint on her heart — even as a young girl, she knew she wanted to make a difference.

At night, she would secretly gather leftovers from family dinners and sneak out to feed them, wishing she could do more.

Years later, life opened unexpected doors. Stephanie was chosen to further her studies overseas — first in Taipei, where she adopted her first pet dog. Despite living on a tight student budget, she nurtured it with all the love she could give. Later, another opportunity took her to Paris, France, where she fell in love with the most adorable creature she had ever seen — a poodle. That moment stayed with her forever.

After completing her studies, Stephanie and her husband Peter built a life together in Singapore, founding International Service Apartments (ISA). Through years of hard work, their business flourished, and with the arrival of their daughter Pearl, their family felt complete.

As their lives stabilised, Stephanie finally fulfilled a lifelong dream — adopting four toy poodles.

"People thought I was crazy — four dogs! But for me, it felt right."

“People thought I was crazy — four dogs! But for me, it felt right. Our home came alive with love, laughter, and fur. They reminded me every day of why I started caring for animals in the first place.”

Yet, deep down, Sabah still called to her. Together with Peter, she returned to Kota Kinabalu to open a Korean restaurant. But what she found upon her return broke her heart.

"It was like time had stood still. The same strays were still out there — thin, frightened, hungry."

“It was like time had stood still. The same strays were still out there — thin, frightened, hungry. I saw the same faces I’d seen as a child. That was the moment I knew I had to do something real.”

So in 2017, Stephanie and Peter poured their savings, time, and energy into creating a shelter for strays. What began as a small act of love grew into a thriving sanctuary that now shelters over a hundred dogs and cats.

With the help of volunteers and fellow animal lovers, the shelter continues to provide food, medical care, and hope for Sabah’s strays.

Peter and Stephanie's animal shelter at Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.

To this day, you can often find Stephanie and Peter wading through mud and grass, calling out to their furry friends — rain or shine.

Their compassion shines through every part of their lives — including ISA, their pet-friendly hotel in Singapore.

"ISA isn’t just a business. It’s an extension of our hearts."

“ISA isn’t just a business. It’s an extension of our hearts. We believe that love — whether for people or animals — should always have a home.”

Stay tuned and discover how their story continues to inspire kindness, one paw at a time.