Bahrain’s animal lovers will have two opportunities in September to support rescued cats, including 52 felines currently receiving medical care after being found living in dire conditions.
The events, organised by animal rescue group Rescat, will help cover the growing costs of food, litter, veterinary treatment and boarding for animals in its care.
The first will be a charity sale in Arad on September 4 and 5, from 4pm to 8pm, featuring a selection of cat-themed items including pillows, aprons, tea towels, mugs and dishes.
Cat pillows on sale
Cat mugs
Tea towels decorated with cute cats
All items will be priced at BD5, with proceeds going towards the care of the rescued cats.
The GDN previously reported that 52 Persian/Rag Doll mix cats were found crammed inside a flat following the death of an expatriate resident who was believed to have been breeding them.
Rescat, an international volunteer-led cat re-homing organisation that helps fully sponsored rescue cats find responsible forever homes, primarily in the Netherlands, stepped in on July 19 to help.
Many of the cats required urgent medical attention and have since been admitted to various veterinary clinics, while the group continues to look for safe places for them to stay.
The second fundraising event will give animal lovers the chance to combine exercise with supporting the cause with an innovative ‘cat yoga session’ on September 18.
Participants will be able to stretch and unwind in the company of rescued cats, with all ticket proceeds donated to help care for the animals and support Rescat’s efforts to save more cats in the kingdom.
Cat yoga session
According to Brooke Billingsley of the catster.com website, cat yoga is exactly what it sounds like – introducing cats into the activity of yoga. There are different ways do this. Some people simply do yoga in a room while the cats do whatever they want, whether it’s playing, resting, or directly interacting with the participants. Some people choose to incorporate their cat into their yoga practice through a series of yoga poses and stretches that a cat can safely join.
The session will take place at Bodyline Ladies Club Saar’s old studio from 9am to 10.30am. Tickets cost BD12 and participants are requested to bring their own yoga mat.
Rescat founder Maha Alsahhaf said the rising cost of living, coupled with a scarcity of pet food and supplies due to the ongoing regional conflict, has made animal rescue efforts increasingly challenging.
“Food, litter, veterinary treatment, medication and boarding have all become more expensive, while donations are being stretched across a growing number of animals in need,” she said.
“At the same time, abandonment and uncontrolled breeding continue, placing even greater pressure on independent rescuers and volunteer organisations such as ours.”
Ms Alsahhaf said that one of the most valuable ways people could help was by opening their homes to foster cats, providing them with a safe and loving environment until they find permanent homes.
“These cats need an opportunity to discover what it means to feel safe and loved, to have the security of knowing that food and clean water will always be available, to learn how to play, relax on furniture and trust that humans can be kind,” she said.
Rescat operates under the umbrella of the Cat Society of Bahrain and Pet Animals, the official domestic registry for pet animals in Bahrain, registered with the Social Development Ministry.
For more information about the events or to support Rescat, contact @rescatofficial on Instagram.
julia@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))