New UAE Initiative Reduces Stray Cats
The New UAE Animal Welfare Group Tackles Stray Cats
Animal welfare and responsible pet ownership are becoming increasingly important topics in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and a new nonprofit organization, Animal Welfare Abu Dhabi (AWAD), has set these goals at the forefront of its mission. The group, recently established in Abu Dhabi, aims to change people's attitudes towards pet adoption and offer support to families considering adopting a pet.
Why is adoption important?
The vice president of the AWAD board highlighted that many people still believe that shelter animals are "second-rate" compared to pets purchased from breeders. "Many feel that a rescued animal isn't as good as one from a breeder, and that's simply not true. Every animal has a unique personality, regardless of whether it comes from a shelter or a breeder. The key is to find the animal that best fits the family," she said.
AWAD's goal is to educate the community about the benefits of adoption and help encourage people to adopt from shelters rather than purchase animals. This not only represents a positive change for the animals but also helps reduce the number of stray animals.
The issue of stray cats
One of AWAD's main initiatives is launching a community cat care program aimed at stabilizing stray cat populations in neighborhoods. As part of the program, cats will be captured at feeding stations, then neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped before being released back. This method, known as Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), effectively helps control the number of stray animals.
The CEO of the British Veterinary Center warned that feeding alone is not a solution and can even cause issues. "Feeding without population control only exacerbates the problem as animal reproduction goes unchecked," he explained. The leader of AWAD added that feeding should not be done for its own sake but as part of the TNR program to manage the population.
Other initiatives
AWAD not only focuses on the issue of stray cats but is also actively working in other areas of animal welfare. For instance, they have established a helpline where pet owners and community members can report animal-related issues and seek help. Additionally, the organization aims to encourage pet shops to adopt higher animal welfare standards.
AWAD also supports the adoption of animals overseas and provides assistance to pet owners with the export process. This is particularly important in the UAE, where a significant portion of the population lives temporarily, and many animals are left behind when people leave the country.
The dangers of impulse buying
A professor at the American University of Sharjah also highlighted the issue of impulse purchases. Many people make decisions to buy a pet without considering the responsibilities that come with pet ownership. "In the UAE, there are many temporary expats, and many people bring home pets because it makes their lives happier. However, they don't think about what happens if they have to leave the country. This is why there is a very high number of pet abandonments," she explained.
Before adoption, thorough checks are necessary to ensure that the animal will fit into the family. "It's important for people to know what type of animal suits them and whether everyone in the household can care for the animal. It's not just about the cute factor," she said.
An example of responsible pet ownership
AWAD's work not only serves to protect animals but also aims to develop a culture of responsible pet ownership in society. The "Adopt, don’t shop" message is increasingly resonating in the UAE, in the hope that more animals will find loving homes and fewer strays will struggle on the streets.
Animal welfare is important not only for animals but for the entire society. AWAD's initiatives clearly demonstrate that with cooperation and responsible decisions, much can be achieved.
