A new hotline has been officially launched in Bahrain, giving the public a direct way to report cases of animal mistreatment or abuse and marking an important step forward in efforts to combat the growing stray menace in the kingdom.
Introduced by the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry, the service has been widely welcomed by rescue shelters and welfare groups.
However, questions have been raised about how it will operate in practice, particularly what follows once a report is submitted and how urgent cases will be handled outside official weekday 7am to 2pm operating hours.
“People can report cases of abuse, neglect and stray dogs, as part of efforts to strengthen compliance with regulations, protect animals and ensure public safety,” the ministry said in a statement yesterday.
Bahrain Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA) chairman Mahmood Faraj described the hotline as a ‘positive step forward’, while emphasising the need for further clarity on its implementation.
“If a case occurs outside of operating hours, how do people report it?” he said. “Some situations are urgent, so there should be alternative options available.”
He added that the BSPCA and other animal welfare organisations often receive calls after working hours, suggesting that extending the hotline’s availability could improve overall response.
Mr Faraj
Mr Faraj also emphasised the need for clearer procedures on how reported cases will be handled.
“Will the relevant authorities take the animal to a clinic, a shelter or another safe place? And who will cover the costs of these services?” he asked. “We welcome any positive move and we hope further clarification will follow so that all stakeholders can work together to address issues such as dog and cat abandonment and unregulated breeding in Bahrain.”
Similarly, Rescat Charity founder Maha Al Sahhaf expressed support for the initiative while highlighting concerns about post-report action. “We appreciate any effort that encourages the public to report animal welfare violations,” she said. “However, our concern lies in what happens after a report is made.”
She noted that there have been multiple instances where substantial evidence – including videos, identification details and formal police complaints – was submitted without resulting in action.
Citing a recent case on April 18 in Manama, she described how a man was reported for selling four dogs outside a park under poor conditions. “The dogs were crammed into a single small cage with no room to move, and there was no food or water,” she said.
Despite submitting video evidence, the individual’s identification number, and the vehicle’s licence plate, she claims no action has been taken.
“This raises an important question: what concrete steps will ensure that reports made through this new hotline lead to real accountability for those who abuse and exploit animals?” she asked. “The public needs clarity on how the authorities will enforce existing animal welfare laws moving forward,” she added.
Ms Al Sahhaf also stressed the importance of transparency, suggesting that a clear follow-up process should be in place so individuals who report violations are kept informed of any outcome.
The founder of animal welfare advocacy initiative Project RIFQ, Alhanoof Albinali, described the launch as a meaningful step forward for animal welfare in the kingdom, noting that the introduction of an official hotline reflects a growing culture of accountability, compassion and care.
“We are incredibly proud to witness our country leading with humanity, and we remain hopeful that this is only the beginning of even stronger protections and a kinder future for every living being,” she said. “Inshallah, we continue to move forward, together.”
Ms Waters
Meanwhile, Mariah Waters, who oversees rescue operations at Project RIFQ, highlighted ongoing challenges in reporting animal welfare violations. She explained that recent efforts have involved repeated attempts to report cases of abandonment, neglect, abuse and illegal breeding and sale.
“We recently rescued 15 cats that had been discarded from breeding operations. They were found to be suffering from Giardia, a microscopic parasite that causes giardiasis, an intestinal infection characterised by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, and dehydration, often leading to nutrient malabsorption, mycoplasma, and severe ear infections,” she said.
“In another case, we rescued six puppies and two adult dogs abandoned by a seller, all of which were affected by Giardia, as well as ear and eye infections.”
Ms Waters added that the new hotline could significantly streamline the reporting process for rescue groups, offering a more direct and accessible way to escalate cases.
“I expect to use the hotline to report every rescue case,” she said. “Inshallah, this will lead to swift action and meaningful improvements in the safety and welfare of animals.”
- The hotline – 17987227 – is available from Sunday to Thursday, 7am to 2pm.
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