AN expatriate animal lover who has rescued scores of cats off the streets of Bahrain over the past nine years has made a desperate appeal to find more forever homes for the fabulous felines she is caring for.
Shrooq Fahmi has witnessed declining adoption offers in recent times and has appealed to GDN readers for help as she fears it may become a mission impossible to continue with her efforts.
“The goal of my work has always been to rescue cats and then find them permanent, loving homes,” the 33-year-old Egyptian told the GDN.
“Unfortunately, in recent years, there has been a sharp drop in adoption interest, which has made the process extremely difficult and it is becoming overwhelming.
“After Covid-19, many expatriates, who were the ones most likely to adopt, left the island, leaving me to take in more cats with less adoption offers.
“The pressure on those caring for rescues has recently increased significantly across the kingdom.”
Playful cat
Ms Fahmi told the GDN that what started with just a handful of rescues in 2016 has since grown into dozens of cats. She does not want to place the animals in shelters in fear of their quality of life.
Twenty-six cuddly and friendly cats, aged four months to five years, are currently available for adoption, while she will continue caring for the older and sick cats herself, ensuring the younger ones have the best chance of finding loving homes.
A cute kitten waiting to be adopted
“Although the situation is challenging, I cannot compromise the quality of life they currently enjoy and I refuse to take them to an animal shelter,” she said, stressing that the only option is for each cat to be adopted by a loving, caring family.
“With me they are safe, well fed and loved, and I would hate to put them in a situation that possibly could harm their loving life. These cats mean the world to me, and I would do absolutely anything for them.”
She also explained that she charges no adoption fee, as she wants to encourage people to adopt without worrying about cost, as long as they are committed to providing long-term care for the animal.”
Ms Fahmi has been rescuing cats for more than 15 years as a solo charitable enterprise. “Some of the cats were abandoned, others were sick strays and many of them were found injured on highways,” she said, adding that she also feeds strays and takes in any of them that are sickly so they can receive proper care and attention.
Feeding time
“I am hoping people will adopt the healthy, friendly and young ones I currently have,” she said. “I do this because I love animals a lot, and I consider myself lucky to have known them, loved them, and been loved by them.”
For more information on how to adopt the cats, contact 39817066.
julia@gdnmedia.bh
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