Dubai: For seven-year-old Bob, the town centre at the Meadows community has been his home for as long as anyone can remember. For residents in the community, ‘Ginger Bob,’ is the neighbourhood’s celebrity cat, who they all have come to love and care for.
However, with news confirmed that the community centre is being demolished and rebuilt, residents are concerned about Ginger Bob’s well-being and are looking for a permanent home for him.
Gulf News talked to residents Jaqueline Pretty, from the UK, and Shelagh Estment from South Africa, who have created a fan page for the cat on Facebook, with the aim of finding him a home before the end of the year.
“He is a very sociable cat and probably got much more attention at his new abode than he ever did at home. Lots of people passed by and fed him, loved him and cuddled him,” said Pretty.
Having worked at the community’s fitness centre for nine years, Pretty said she often passed by Bob, who had many fans- from passers-by to schoolchildren leaving him food and water and playing with him.
She pointed out that residents have also made sure Bob is taken for regular vaccinations at the vet, where he is always described as “the most well-behaved cat at the clinic.”
Bob has been identified by a vet as a short hair mix cat from the UK.
“He was a dumped pet, but was quickly whisked away and neutered. From day one I made sure Bob had enough food and water and lots of love and attention. I named him Bob after ‘A street cat called Bob’ in the UK, who was adopted by a recovering drug addict, and they ended up saving each other,” explained Pretty.
Bob, who has settled into street life, will now have to shift homes, as the centre is set to be knocked down early next year.
“Ginger Bob is particularly special. We feel like his home has been taken away from him and we need to look for an alternative. As soon as construction starts, it won’t be safe for him, and people wont be able to check on him and look after him,” said Estment.
She pointed out that an ideal home for Bob would be with an older couple, or a family with older children, who don’t have any other cats or pets. “At his old age, he’s considered a senior cat and is happy staying indoors. He is used to being on his own, and hasn’t had competition from other cats — he would be happy just strolling around,” added Estment.
With over 80 followers on the ‘Fans of Ginger Bob’ Facebook group, residents are actively trying to find Bob a home. “Our hearts sank, not for the building — we get used to that here in Dubai — but for dear Bob. What was to become of him? No one was worried about the imminent construction plans, but everyone was worried about Bob and his future,” read a post by Pretty on Facebook.
“So, now we need to find him a proper home with a garden, with someone who can give him everything that he needs and never ever let him down or let him go. He deserves only the best — he is a legend after all,” it said.
