Flight attendants to the rescue

DUBAI Petra Petrivoka, Frances Caldwell and Audrey Vaz are all flight attendants, but the one thing that’s common among them other than their job is their undying passion for stray animals.

Between them, the three UAE-based women have rescued and homed hundreds of abandoned dogs and cats.

True calling

Slovak purser Petra Petrikova, who has sheltered 125 unwanted dogs in Umm Al Quwain (UAQ), said she found her true calling when she stumbled upon six emaciated puppies while volunteering for K-9 friends in Barracuda a few years ago.

“It was a gory sight. The animals were in a terrible shape as they had not eaten for several days. So I took them home,” she recalled. Later, I found several more strays. Realising I couldn’t shelter all of them, I set up a Facebook page called ‘Stray Dogs Centre – UAQ’ and urged people to help. The response was overwhelming. Within days, several animal lovers pitched in with contributions, enabling me to set up a shelter for these animals,” said Petrikova who built the facility on a plot of land given by UAQ authorities.

The animal lover said her job is far from over. “There are over 100 more stray dogs waiting to be rescued. Sadly all foster homes are running full and there is no place where I can take them. I will not be at peace until I find a permanent home for them,” said Petrikova who routinely drives from Dubai airport to UAQ to see how the animals are doing.

“I just can’t help it. They are my babies and I am responsible for their welfare,” she said.

Similarly, Briton Frances Caldwell devotes all her spare time to rescuing homeless cats.

The flight attendant who has sheltered around 20 cats in her house said she spends a considerable amount of her salary towards caring for these ferals.

“Pet costs are very high in the UAE. A vaccination alone can set you back by Dh800 When I came to the UAE, all I wanted to do was to make loads of money and lead a glamorous life. But my cats are my life now,” she said.

Indian cabin crew Audrey Vaz who has rescued and adopted two dogs and five cats said the animals are his family. My apartment has begun to look like an animal shelter but I have no regrets. They are like family and I can’t live without them.”