Al Falah

 The Al Falah Cats..... where to start.

Day one.

3pm Thursday 28th September 2023

I had been to a known dumping site in the morning with a fabulous rescuer and we picked up Elvis.

Dave got home from work at 14.30. We had a chat, had lunch and was considering where to search that evening and what other commitments we had.

Our phones started pinging. The most horrify pictures were coming through. Someone had stumbled into a nightmare.

Dave and I tried to find out as much information as possible before we set off.

It was clear we would need to take some baskets, food and water.

30 seconds after we arrived

As we arrived we saw several lifeless bodies of cats. We got out of the car in silence and went to where we could see some movement. Over a very short period of time we had 5 cats. The capacity of carriers our car could fit.

Other rescuers started to arrive in the evening.

The next few days blurred. Meeting with so many legendary rescuers, people from all the Emirates, cats being pulled alive from the desert.

It was a buzz of people coming and going. Baskets, traps and nets changing hands. Food and water rushed to the rescued cats. All were exhausted and dehydrated. Still, 3 of the 5 we picked up... purred their little hearts out.

Very early on a pattern started to emerge. The cats were freshly neutered and spayed. Their ears were freshy cut. They were young. They were microchipped. They were fluffy.

Lucky guys in foster 

The authorities arrived on the 2nd of October. An investigation would be conducted.

Today, many of the rescued cats are in foster. They will all need permanent homes.

Many of their microchips have lead back to an owner. An owner, who in good faith surrendered their pet to an animal shelter for whatever reason. 

They were surrendered. Not dumped by their owners. Entrusted to an establishment to ensure their safety.

Let's hope, now, after many decades of Animal Welfare in UAE not having a voice; that these lost souls will be the last. 

Too many have suffered due to lack of education and empathy.

The professionalism of the animal rescue community has been phenominal. Watching how they turn up with cars loaded with the equipment of their passionate trade. They immediately sprung into action taking off in coordinated directions to cover as much area as possible.

I witnessed someone scoop a cat up   and with an experienced swoosh of a net, the cat was safely in its basket. 

Through this tragedy, relationships have been formed, communities have bonded, rescuers have united.

A formidable force has been established.

We will not allow this to happen again.