Pakistani Expat in Dubai Caring for 65 Rescued Cats Faces Eviction

TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

A Pakistani expatriate in Dubai, who has dedicated her life to rescuing and caring for 65 stray cats, is now facing an eviction deadline of October 2 after her property management company demanded the removal of all the animals from her apartment.

Aisha Rashid, 39, began feeding stray cats during the Covid-19 lockdown, initially as a temporary arrangement while the original caretaker was away. “There was a lady who used to feed the stray cats. She went back to her country and asked me to look after them until she returned,” Rashid told Gulf News. “When she came back after five months, she refused to continue, and said it was now up to me.”

What started as a short-term task quickly turned into a long-term rescue operation. Rashid and her mother continued feeding the cats, who had become dependent on their care. Over six years, Rashid has personally neutered around 150 cats, covering all veterinary expenses from her modest salary of Dh7,000, earning from her job in the auto loan department of a back-office service company. “Dh4,000 to 5,000 of my monthly salary goes solely to the cats. The rest is for rent,” she said.

The situation has become increasingly challenging as more people began abandoning their cats near her apartment, drawn by her ongoing rescue efforts. Now, with the eviction notice looming, Rashid is appealing for help to rehome the cats before the October 2 deadline.

Her story highlights the growing issue of stray animal care in urban areas and the financial and emotional burden shouldered by private animal rescuers in the UAE.