There are many who have been helping out stray cats to survive the cruel mentality of people, but for the first time in Abu Dhabi, a group of volunteers have organised a public event to feed and raise awareness about the strays.

Fund and Feed Network Abu Dhabi, with the help of Middle East Animal Foundation and Al Bakri Pet Food Trading, organised 'Walk of Hearts' event recently to highlight why is it important for all communities to help their neighbourhood kitties.

The walking event held recently, involved a leisurely walk from 6pm to feed the cats, starting from the Family Park, then on to Heritage Park, Lake Park, Formal Park and the New Corniche.

Katy Lifei Ecaterina, founder of Fund and Feed Network said: "Our main focus was on awareness and education, bringing people together and talking to them how to care for the cats and why should they do it," she added.

Participants in the Walk of Hearts received community educational flyers, vests and a gift. They were also provided with cat food for feeding the strays.

The group comprising 20 volunteers and 30 sponsors was established in 2013. "If we don't do it, the cats will die of starvation, because in many locations they have no access to food and water," pointed out Ecaterina.

Some 600 stray cats were thus fed with 180kg of food during the event. Often, the volunteers encounter a cat subjected to cruelty, having its tail cut, its jaw broken, blinded, hurt or nearly dying the long and painful death of starvation.

In such cases they rescue the cats, taking them to a vet for treatment. The group also gets involved in TNR - trap, neuter, release - although it often doesn't have enough resources. As Ecaterina pointed out, TNR helps control the number of stray cats and it is particularly important to return the neutered cat to the same location it was trapped from.

"Cats are territorial; they defend their territory, not allowing other cats to take residence in their place. If you remove, say, 10 cats from one place, 20 more will come and take over," said Ecaterina. Not only that, but they control rats, mice and insects infestations, and even keep snakes and scorpions at bay.

"Cats also teach us compassion and it is our duty, as human beings, to care and protect them," she added. Though Fund and Feed Network is a new group, Ecaterina has been doing this selfless work for the past 10 years.

"My aim is to get communities to care for their neighbourhood cats, to neuter and feed them. It is not only a good deed, but it helps keep their environment pest free," she said. "When that goal will be achieved, there will be no need for groups like Fund and Feed to exist, and I will not have to come every day from Khalifa City to Khalidiya - some 30 kilometres - to care for community cats."

Ecaterina hopes that events such as Walk of Hearts, which she plans to run regularly, will create enough awareness for communities to get more involved.

To help care or even save a kitty, you may contact the Middle East Animal Foundation on www.facebook.com/groups/MEAFAbuDhabi and Fund Network on Fundandfeed@yahoo.com.

Source: Khaleej Times