A Dubai mum’s rescue mission for abandoned animals—and the son who made it unforgettable: ‘We fostered 8 dogs once'

Her son had a gift. He was an animal whisperer. If they were abused, he was the only one they could approach.

They just knew he was special.

For Nathalie Grall, her son Viggo still lives in everything she does—especially in her work for animal welfare rights. A French expat, Grall shares how she and Viggo would find, help, and guide others to rehome abandoned animals. “All the cats would come to him. They would just follow him,” she says. “He would even stop me from driving to save injured parrots on the street.”

It has been a while since he passed away, but Grall, holds him close in everything she does for animals today. For her, he was a symbol of love for humanity, and she intends to carry that message through. Her passion for all those living and compassion pervades through our conversation, as she expresses her frustration and indignation at cats and dogs being abandoned, especially in the summer.

Grall recalls how it all began 16 years ago when she joined a group of volunteers feeding cats in Jebel Ali Village. “There were 200 cats left behind. I’ve always been passionate about animals, who don’t deserve to be abandoned like that.” She realised this was a widespread and troubling problem, people adopt cats and dogs, then leave them behind without warning, forcing them to brave the heat.

Over those 16 years, her work has taken many forms. She shares how animals are abandoned in parks or on streets, especially when owners leave the country. In fact, when Grall has found microchipped cats, she and her team have tried to trace the original owners. “But, we find that the owner explains that they gave the cat to someone else, who just handed the cat to another person,” she adds. his cycle of passing animals from one person to another deeply upsets her — but it also fuels her determination to do all she can for them.

By the age of 11, Viggo had helped neuter over 20 cats in his area and was actively involved in the Trap-Neuter-Release program. He told Gulf News then, “I love it.” His bond was undeniable.

While many fear approaching street cats, especially those abused or abandoned, Viggo’s connection with animals was immediate and natural.

Together, both had fostered 8 abused dogs. “We adopted an abused Dalmation, and my son was the one who managed to rehabilitate her. We had her 14 years she passed away six month before him,” she remembers.

Grall doesn’t see herself as a rescuer but as a conduit. “We educate—that’s our priority. We guide people seriously on rehoming. We help find homes abroad for cats when owners can’t take them and assist with export permits since relocators are expensive. But sometimes people are in such a rush to give up their pets without listening. If we can help even a little, it’s a drop in the ocean, but we’re happy if it happens,” she says firmly. They have no financial interest. “I’m doing this with my heart.”

Along with another volunteer, Grall acts as a bridge between individual rescuers and veterinary clinics offering charity-rate services. “We receive emails from rescuers across Dubai and connect them with discounted vet care. Without us, people would be paying vets over 70% more out of pocket,” she explains. They also support adoption efforts, help with pet travel arrangements, assist when pets are lost or found, provide flyers, and help the community find balance between humans and animals.