Dubai — The ongoing issue of stray cats in Dubai has attracted attention from Dubai’s first non-profit welfare organisation Middle East Animal Foundation (MEAF), which is currently caring for a community of approximately 30 felines.
With temperatures soaring across the UAE, many stray cats and kittens are in danger of dehydration and deprivation.
MEAF, which is taking care of stray cats and kittens in Al Barsha under its neutering and feeding programme, is in dire need of volunteers.
Mahin Bahrami, MEAF co-founder, pointed out that one cat in the community has facial injuries while another has an eye injury, which, if left untreated, will lead to permanent blindness. The required veterinary treatment for both cats’ injuries costs approximately Dh5,000. However, with the cost of the neutering and feeding programme being met by volunteers, there aren’t enough funds available to treat the two injured animals.
“I have taken the two cats home and am currently treating their injuries as best I can until we can find the necessary funds to enable me to take them to my local vet,” said Bahrami. “It’s a pretty desperate situation,” she added.
MEAF is looking for volunteers to foster cats and kittens, transport animals, donate food, pay vet bills, and rescue animals. Volunteers are also encouraged to apply their skills to raise funds for the cause, and improve public awareness on the importance of animal welfare.
Meanwhile, the issue of stray cats in Dubai has been one of the most common discussions among pet owners in the emirate.
Dubai resident Alena Radzionenka, from Belarus, said she has nurtured and looked after over 700 cats during her nine-year stay in Dubai.
She pointed out that while she tried involving people in the cause, not many people showed enthusiasm in helping stray cats.
“This issue needs volunteers who will take cats in and look after them, especially those in an unstable condition. I currently have 38 cats in my house — I nurture cats that have been dumped and are in a bad condition and then I release them back,” explained Radzionenka.
With no official pet shelters in Dubai, there is no way to regulate the number of stray cats and pets dumped on the streets. “I have created multiple feeding stages in my community and other communities. I don’t leave food out every day so that the cats don’t depend on me, but I try and visit at least once every three days,” said Radzionenka.
Jordanian Sarah M. said she had started to leave cat food out for the stray kittens under her building. “It broke my heart to see tiny kittens go so hungry. This issue needs to be solved before it gets out of control,” she added.
The pet owner of two cats, said she is unable to care for any more pets in her one-bedroom apartment.
“I wish there were many pet shelters in Dubai, who look after some of the stray cats and can spread awareness and educate people about the responsibility of owning a pet,” added M.
Box:
If you would like to help these two injured cats, or support MEAF’s work, please email volunteer@me-af.org
