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Abu Dhabi, UAE
CNN
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A gaggle of United Arab Emirates residents has discovered greater than 140 cats dumped in a desert lot within the capital Abu Dhabi, in a phenomenon that has drawn criticism from worldwide animal rights organizations and prompted a authorities investigation.
Cats of all breeds, together with non-native varieties like Persians, had been left to die trapped of their carriers or have been wandering the desert with out meals, shelter or water, in response to Chiku Shergill, an Abu Dhabi resident who took half within the rescue.
The animals had been deserted throughout the freeway from the government-run Abu Dhabi Animal Shelter in al Falah, a residential space in Abu Dhabi. The shelter advised CNN it was unaware of the incident and refused to remark additional.
Rescuers have counted 50 useless cats within the lot and have saved 95 since September 28. A golden retriever canine was additionally saved, and a husky was discovered useless. Some of the animals had been microchipped, suggesting that they weren’t strays.
September temperatures attain a excessive of 40.5C (105F) in Abu Dhabi metropolis. Desert temperatures may very well be larger through the day. The episode has drawn criticism from worldwide animal rights organizations and activists.
The animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is providing a $5,000 reward for data on “whoever dumped these cats in the desert,” PETA Asia Vice-President Jason Baker advised CNN in a press release.
“This act of cruelty must not be swept under the rug … The solution to the homeless-animal crisis is spaying and neutering and adopting from overworked and understaffed shelters, which PETA Asia has been asking the UAE to require for years,” Baker stated.
Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) stated on Wednesday that it might examine the incident. It inspired the general public to report particulars on the incident and is taking measures to search out these accountable for it.
Dr. Katherine Polak, Humane Society International vice chairman of companion animals advised CNN she was happy to see the authorities taking the matter severely.
The volunteer rescue group is working across the clock, with many taking day off work, to proceed saving the deserted cats, getting them microchipped and discovering them houses, in response to Shergill.
Ten pet cats from Dubai, an hour’s drive from Abu Dhabi, had been recognized by microchips and returned to their houses.
Abu Dhabi initiated a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program in 2008 to regulate feral and stray cats, primarily by way of the Abu Dhabi Animal Shelter.
The TNR program says it’s in accordance with “international animal welfare guidelines” and claims to launch the animals again the place they had been trapped.
“Dumping sites” for animals are widespread throughout Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and this was not an remoted incident, the International Organization for Animal Protection (OIPA) stated in a press release, including that it has been campaigning on behalf of stray animals within the UAE for years.
