About Us
Welcome to our sanctuary, a haven for the hundreds of rescued cats who, through love and care, have been given a second chance at life. Our journey began with two friends who shared a passion for helping these beautiful animals—friends who knew that together, they could achieve so much more than they ever could alone.
I am deeply grateful for my friend’s support and commitment; without her, this mission would never have grown to the level it is today. Together, we’ve saved hundreds of lives, and we continue to dream even bigger for the future of animal welfare in the UAE.
Here, you’ll meet over 350 of our rescues who are ready for adoption, each with their own story and each waiting for a loving home.
We believe that every cat deserves not only a life off the streets but a life filled with love, respect, and commitment from people who understand the responsibility of pet ownership.
Yet our vision extends beyond the walls of our sanctuary. Together with the community, other rescuers, and hopefully the government, we aspire to create a lasting system to end the overpopulation and abandonment of cats.
Our ultimate dream is to establish a comprehensive shelter with an adoption center and a 24-hour veterinary clinic—one that serves as a model for compassionate care and community collaboration across the country.
Thank you for joining us on this journey. We hope that as you learn more about our sanctuary and our mission, you’ll be inspired to help us make a difference, one life at a time.
OUR MISSION
The stray cat crisis in the UAE has reached alarming levels, and it's a problem that stems from several heartbreaking situations. One major factor is the breeding of cats—both legal and illegal—which forces animals to live in horrific conditions. Many breeders are solely driven by profit, keeping cats in filthy, cramped cages where they suffer without basic care. These cats, often fluffy breeds that require extra grooming, are neglected, living in their own waste, underfed, and even abused. They are bred repeatedly until they become sick or can no longer produce healthy kittens. Once they are no longer profitable, these poor animals are abandoned—most often in areas near the animal market, creating a growing population of strays.
​
Then, there are the compassionate people who come to the UAE for work. Many of them encounter stray cats on the streets and try to help, even though their financial resources are limited. Unfortunately, when they lose their jobs or must return to their home countries, they’re forced to leave these cats behind, hoping someone else will take over their care.
​
And let’s not forget the individuals who adopt cats, sometimes with good intentions but lacking the necessary experience or empathy. Many adopt kittens for their children or as companions during lonely times, but when the responsibility becomes too much, these cats often find themselves abandoned once again, left to survive outside despite having grown up in homes.
​
As a result, certain areas across the UAE have become known as dumping grounds for cats, where sick and healthy animals mix, leading to the rapid spread of diseases. In the face of this crisis, rescuers are doing everything they can, often using their own money to treat, rehabilitate, and rehome these animals. But the sheer number of abandoned cats makes this a never-ending cycle—one that requires a systematic solution, which can only be achieved through collaboration with the government.
​
Rescuers in the UAE have developed invaluable experience over the years, and we believe this knowledge can greatly benefit efforts to build a new, sustainable infrastructure. Through education and awareness, we can come together as a community to tackle this issue head-on. Not only will this resolve the crisis, but it will also showcase the true heart of the UAE, reflecting the compassion, respect, and kindness at the core of Islamic values.
​
This presentation will break down the challenges we face, the key issues that need attention, and solutions that can create a real, lasting impact. We believe that with the right infrastructure and a united effort, the UAE can serve as a model for other countries to follow. Let’s be the example, let’s be the change, and let’s show the world what we stand for—because this is not just about solving a crisis, but about embodying the principles of compassion and responsibility that represent the people of the UAE.
Creating a Model Cat Shelter for the UAE
A Safe, Compassionate, and World-Class Facility
Our Sanctuary's care and Protection System for Rescued Cats
Our mission is to build a pioneering cat shelter that sets a global standard of excellence, compassion, and safety. We envision a state-of-the-art facility, guided by years of experience and the compassionate values of the UAE and Islamic principles of care for all living beings. Working closely with the government, we aim to establish the most rigorous and innovative protocols, making our shelter an exemplary model for animal welfare worldwide. With a well-planned infrastructure, we can prevent cross-contamination, promote recovery, and create a sanctuary where every cat receives the loving care they need to thrive.
​
At our current sanctuary, we’ve created a carefully designed system to protect the health and well-being of every cat we rescue. With dedicated protocols in place, we ensure a safe environment, preventing the spread of diseases and giving each cat the individual care they deserve. This system allows us to provide a higher standard of care, and our goal is to keep growing and improving it—building a model sanctuary that can support more rescues and set a new standard for cat welfare in our community and beyond.
​
*Entry Protocols and Health Assessments:*
Every cat’s journey to wellness and adoption begins with a comprehensive health evaluation. To ensure the safety of our shelter, we’ve designed specific health protocols for each feline upon intake:
1. *Pre-Shelter Health Screenings:* All cats undergo mandatory testing before entering the shelter. For adult cats, these include IDEXX FIV and FeLV tests, PCR tests for parvovirus, calicivirus, caliciherpes, and mycoplasma, and checks for ear mites, gastrointestinal parasites (e.g., Giardia), respiratory and cardiac health, and ringworm.
​
2. *Age-Adjusted Protocols for Kittens:* We adapt our protocols for younger kittens to ensure accuracy, waiting until they reach a suitable age for conclusive testing.
​
3. *Detailed Health Records:* For each cat, we record video documentation of the initial veterinary examination, noting the cat's condition upon rescue. This includes oral checks for ulcers, gum health, and overall dental condition.
​
4. *Grooming and Identification:* Cats in good health receive spaying or neutering, microchipping, a full grooming session, and ear-tipping for easy identification.
​
5. *Observation Period:* Before entering general shelter areas, every cat spends four weeks in our dedicated Observation Room, housed in antimicrobial, anti-mold wooden enclosures to prevent infection. Here, we monitor their health daily, tracking their weight, food and water intake, stool, energy levels, and body temperature. We administer both vaccines during this period and closely watch for any adverse reactions before allowing integration.
​
*Comprehensive Isolation and Recovery Spaces:*
To ensure a safe, healing environment, our shelter design includes distinct, ventilated indoor and outdoor areas for cats, categorized by health status:
​
1. *Disease-Specific Rooms:* Cats are separated based on their health profiles to prevent cross-contamination. These areas include rooms for healthy, vaccinated cats; unvaccinated mothers and kittens; and spaces dedicated to cats with parvovirus, calicivirus, caliciherpes, ringworm, respiratory issues, feline coronavirus, FIP treatment, FIV, and FeLV. Each room has sub-sections for cases involving multiple health concerns.
​
2. *Indoor-Outdoor Access with Elevation and Drainage:* Each health zone includes an outdoor “catio,” which is elevated to prevent flooding during the rainy season. A drainage system will ensure quick and safe water removal, keeping each section isolated from potential contamination.
​
3. *Individualized Tags for Identification:* Each cat wears a collar with a tag, showing their name and microchip number for easy identification. We have designed a digital database that will allow visitors and staff to access each cat’s medical records, health history, and personality traits.
​
*Team Structure and Hygiene Protocols:*
Maintaining high standards of hygiene and care, each section of the shelter will have a dedicated team to prevent any disease spread:
​
1. *Trained and Certified Personnel:* Each team member in the shelter will be an experienced nurse or veterinarian, working exclusively within a single health section to prevent cross-contamination. Staff will follow strict guidelines, including designated pathways and sanitation stations for gown disposal and personal disinfection before leaving each section.
​
2. *Emergency Exits and Ventilation Systems:* Every section includes separate ventilation to avoid air-borne disease transmission, and emergency exits to ensure safe evacuation if needed.
​
*Adoption Process and Community Involvement:*
The ultimate goal is to find every cat a loving forever home. To facilitate this, our shelter will feature an adoption center with a reception area and a digital database that showcases each cat’s profile.
​
1. *Screening for Responsible Adoption:* To ensure adopters are ready for long-term pet ownership, we implement a two-week foster trial and provide counseling to prepare them for responsible pet care, reducing the likelihood of abandonment.
​
2. *Fostering Education and Awareness:* Through each cat’s rescue story, documented in our database, we hope to share the unique journeys of our cats, encouraging awareness of their resilience and inspiring empathy within the community.