Abu Dhabi has always been known for having strong humanitarian and charitable arms. One of the areas this generosity extends to is the care given by countless strangers to animals in need. While there are several organisations in the city assigned the task of finding permanent homes to many abandoned and destitute animals, there is a strong need for temporary foster homes to be found. We spoke to some proactive concerned citizens, who have opened their hearts and homes to animals in dire need of love and shelter.
The city of Abu Dhabi is overflowing with stray cats and dogs, many of which face being put down if they are not adopted by permanent owners. There are currently three main groups in the city that help find homeless animals permanent residences. These are Animal Action Abu Dhabi, Wags and Purrs and Feline Friends. While the three organisations might have different methods or scopes, they are all united in trying to find a solution that is best suited for the animal.
Zeina Fawaz has been living in the city for over seven years. She recalls the first time she fostered a cat from Feline Friends and the experience.
‘I was going through their Facebook page and reading the stories. It’s really sad because many of them are abused or have had very negative experiences in the world. I finally decided on trying to foster one and went through the organisation. They were very professional and gave me tips.’
To date, Zeina regularly welcomes cats into her home. ‘I’ve always loved cats and I feel good helping some out that I know need some TLC.’
Zeina is not alone; close friend Sara Smothers is also a regular on the fostering front. Although Sara has a cat herself, she says the experience of bringing in cats from time to time hasn’t caused any friction and is generally a positive one. ‘The way they are introduced is very important,’ she says. ‘When you first bring in a feline, you need to confine it to a small space so that it can get used to its new surroundings. If you are introducing two felines to the same territory, they should explore each other’s scents first. You can do this by letting each cat smell the other’s toy for a short while.’
That being said, Sara also warns that not every foster case will work out. ‘It’s always a better idea to try and meet the animal you are going to foster first,’ she says. ‘If you do sense that the animal is unhappy or that the chemistry might not work, you shouldn’t commit to it. Often, you can find out a lot about the animal that needs fostering from the organisation you are working with. There are also usually short descriptions besides each animal’s picture on Facebook,’ says Sara.
Marwan Awad, a lawyer working in the city and active member of animal rights organisations, enjoys sharing his home with strays. As a regular volunteer of animal organisations, Marwan has had up to seven cats sharing his space at one time. ‘I usually used social media sites to help animals find permanent homes, but if I hear of some special cases that are in dire need of finding homes, then I will take them in.’
The fostering process can take between three and five months. However, if at any point there is a problem with the animal and the fosterer is really uncomfortable, then the organisation will try to find a solution or pick up the pet. ‘Unfortunately, because of the huge populations being dealt with, not all organisations are as diligent as others,’ says Marwan. The most important thing is to really think about your living situation before you commit to this,’ he says. ‘The biggest problem is that many people have good intentions, but they are unaware of the logistics involved and might find themselves overwhelmed.’
For more information about all three organisations visit their website or facebook pages. Animal Action Abu Dhabi: www.www.facebook.com/AnimalActionAbuDhabi. Feline Friends: www.felinefriendsuae.com. Wags and Purrs: www.facebook.com/pages/Wags-and-Purrs.
