Image description: Silhouettes of starved-looking cats against a desert background. End ID.
Illustration by Dulce Pop-Bonini
150 cats left for dead in Al Falah Abu Dhabi desert
“It’s like a massacre”, says Mayada Oudah, NYU Abu Dhabi postdoctoral associate and stray animal rescuer.
Oct 15, 2023
Trigger warning: This article has references to animal abuse.
“...On the 28th of September, we received a report of cats dead in the desert, and we went there, and it’s like a massacre everywhere,” recalls Oudah from the scene, in which 150 cats were found dumped in the desert, with at least 62 dead.
Stray cats and clear household pets, such as Persian cats, were left in the desert without food or water. Some were left to die in their carriers.
Images shared on social media by animal rescuers shows cats in different stages of decomposition, covered with sand [WARNING: Link contains unsettling images].
Almost all of the cats found were neutered and microchipped, some as recently as two weeks ago.
Rescuers are trying to match microchip numbers to missing pets in order to find their owners. So far, 10 pet cats from Dubai were identified via their microchips and returned home.
Six Abu Dhabi veterinary clinics have offered free treatment for the found animals. Eighty-seven cats and one dog were found alive, severely dehydrated, and weak, and were referred to veterinary treatment.
Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport has stated that it will investigate the incident, find the individuals responsible, and take appropriate administrative and legal actions against them.
The public can report animal abuse or neglect by calling 800 555.
Mehraneh Saffari is Senior News Editor. Email them at feedback@thegazelle.org.
related
trending