Wednesday 12 August 2015

Stray cats in Dubai

When we moved into our villas we had a stray living in one of the out buildings, she hangs around, I occasionally feed her and make sure there is water available for her every day. There is plenty of shade in the garden and she seems to be doing ok.


The last week, I've heard movement in the bushes but not seen her around, when she did put in an appearance she looked like she'd given birth recently.



On closer inspection it would appear she's had recent surgery, her fur was shaved and she had a small scar on her side. 


It would appear someone is looking after her or she has been part of the government sterilisation scheme, where strays are rounded up, neutered and released back on the street. I've asked the neighbours about her, but no one has said they're looking over her.

Over the last two nights I have seen the kittens at night time, there are 3 of them, they're not around during the day so I've had trouble getting photos. I've been leaving biscuits out, mum eats some, them calls the kittens in and while they eat she keeps guard with a hiss and growl in my direction.



I did manage to get this photo last night, after taking the torch out with me and waiting for them to appear. As you can see from the look on her face she's not happy to me.


14 comments:

  1. It looks as there's a bit of Balinese blood in her.

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  2. Good that the government tries to control the cat population.

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    Replies
    1. I'm assuming this was a private individual as there have been quite a lot of stray cats disappearing around here

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  3. They look like little cuties.

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    1. they are ever so timid, i waited ages for all 3 to pop out to get a photo

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  4. I hope for her sake she has been sterilised although that is an odd place to have a scar for such a procedure. Her kittens are cute (from what I can see of them) and I hope you can get them less timid.
    Thank you for adding these feline story to #AnimalTales

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    1. i can't think of any other procedure she may have needed doing, i can't get within more than 2 metres of her before she lunges towards me, even when I am feeding the kittens, so can't see if she's been sterilised also. I think she is a total feral cat, raised on the streets by her behaviour towards humans

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    2. I spoke to a friend who is heavily into cats (She really is your archetypal Mad Cat Woman) and she said you can sterilise with a side incision. You learn something every day and looks like your kitty will be spared a life of continual pregnancies.

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    3. i spoke to a woman at a rescue centre and she said similar, she said if i can catch the kittens they'll access their age and sterilise them free of charge

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  5. She looks like she's being a good protective mummy with her new babies :)

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  6. Makes me so sad, seeing animals on the street, or even unloved in homes.
    She looks like a good mummy though.

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    Replies
    1. I'm afraid people just dump their animals when they go on holiday or leave Dubai due to kennel costs and the cost of taking their pets with them

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