More than 100 dogs and cats are facing an uncertain future as the animal rescue organisation caring for them races to find a new site before its current shelter must be vacated.
Unregistered group Bahrain Rescues has around a month to leave its premises in Karzakan, but is struggling to secure a suitable alternative as many landlords are reluctant to rent to a group housing so many animals.
Founder Eman Eid, 36, who has been rescuing strays for 11 years, told the GDN she is urgently searching for agricultural land or a large villa that can accommodate around 80 cats and several small dogs.
The group would ideally like to find an unfurnished villa in the Janabiya or Saar areas, but is open to other options.
“We were given a year at our current property to care for the animals and find a new location, but unfortunately we were unable to secure one. Now, we only have a month left to relocate,” she said.
“It is very stressful because we have such a limited amount of time to move and organise all of the animals, crates and supplies.”
Adding to the challenge is the difficulty of finding a landlord willing to rent to the group because of the number of animals in its care.
“We are prepared to pay for a new property, but we are struggling to find landlords willing to rent to us because they believe the space will be damaged, but that is not the case,” said Ms Eid.
“If anything, I will make the place nicer and take care of it because I also want a clean and good space for the animals to enjoy their lives.”
She pointed out that the team has invested significant time and effort into improving its current premises and would ensure the property was left in good condition for whoever uses it next.
The search for a new home comes as the number of animals requiring help continues to grow, with Ms Eid saying summer dumping and the impact of the war
have contributed to an increase in animals requiring rescue and care.
“We are individuals fighting this war alone, and we work tirelessly to try to make a change in the number of strays on the streets,” she explained.
Although Bahrain Rescues is not currently a registered society, Ms Eid said the group hopes to take steps towards becoming one, adding that she had dedicated much of her life to providing abandoned and stray animals with a safe home and a decent quality of life, with little or no financial support.
“I am committed to the work and see it as part of my contribution to making Bahrain a better place,” she said.
“This is also in line with my belief in Bahrain’s Vision 2030 and the idea that individuals have a responsibility to contribute to a positive change.
“At the same time, people need to give individuals like us a break. We are just trying to do good work, and I hope people can understand this.”
Bahrain Rescues has facilitated the adoption of dozens of animals to homes in the UK, but Ms Eid said rising flight costs are making international adoptions increasingly difficult.
With the organisation now preparing to relocate, it is also appealing to the public to adopt animals in its care, where possible, to help reduce the number that will need to be moved.
A range of animals are currently available for adoption, with medium- and large-sized dogs among those most urgently in need of new homes.
The difficulties facing Bahrain Rescues have also resonated with others in Bahrain’s animal rescue community, including Project RIFQ founder Alhanoof Albinali, who described Ms Eid as one of the ‘most devoted rescuers’ she has ever met.
Ms Albinali founded RIFQ, which translates to ‘gentleness’, in March to help address the kingdom’s growing stray-animal problem and has since rescued hundreds of animals.
“Rescuing strays brings a weight like no other, one that only those in the rescue community can truly understand,” she said.
“Right now, our priority is finding a safe, secure and air-conditioned location for the animals in her care, especially during these summer months.
“We are asking the public to please step up and help us find a safe shelter for her and these animals. They urgently need our support.”
julia@gdnmedia.bh
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