Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Animal-lovers from across the kingdom came together for a Halloween-themed adoption day to celebrate their furry friends and raise awareness about the benefits of rescuing animals.
The event, held at Tails Veterinary centre, featured dogs and humans dressed in fun Halloween costumes as well as local vendors. It was a joint effort between Bahrain Rescues, Bahrain Adoption and Tails Veterinary Centre that attracted more than 100 fur friends.
Mojda Banahi, 29, a volunteer at Bahrain Rescues who works in the financial sector, said, “We wanted a fun theme for our third adoption day. Since Halloween was coming up, the three of us came together to put together this event. It was especially great that Ahmed and the Tails team, who have been supporting new and existing fur families with their veterinary needs offered us this venue for the event.”
For a lot of families, it was an opportunity for their children to get comfortable around animals in a relaxed open setting.
While the dogs were more outgoing and mingled with the crowds, the cats chose to stay in their designated palaces, with their loyal subjects visiting them one-by-one.
Kitten duo, Nina and Mina, from Bahrain Adoption was the first to be adopted and the most active amongst their feline fellows, reminding one of Nala and Simba from the original Lion King.
Supporters of Bahrain Rescues, a not-for-profit organisation with 15 volunteers, use their own resources and donations to buy food and litter, to pick up, treat and rehome animals that have been run over, injured, or abandoned.
As the GulfWeekly reported in May, the organisation has had premises problems and had to relocate the pets. They have found a new location and are working on getting settled in to help their fuzzy residents find new pet parents and ‘furever’ homes.
Bashir Al Sulaiti, a volunteer with Bahrain Adoption, said, “Many people bring home pets just because they look cute, not realising that’s a life that they have taken responsibility for. When people come to us to adopt, we put them through a stringent screening process to make sure that the rescues go to a good home.
“This is not just for the benefit of the animals, but also potential pet parents. It’s a huge responsibility to bring home a pet and give them the right food, enough space and fresh air as well as regular visits to the vet. And if the animal is happy, so is the family. We are really strict. If they can’t take care of these animals properly, I will not let them adopt!”
Bahrain Adoption mainly works with cats currently since their facility is built for felines. Another one of their pets, Ice, got adopted as well.
Ahmed Al Sharaf, owner and manager of Tails, said: “It’s great to see all these families and children interested in these pets, especially in this environment. We are hoping to raise more awareness around rescues and taking proper care of pets.”
Bahrain Adoption asks people to contribute towards rescue bills at Tails and Animal Care Clinic. In addition to rescue bills at Animal Care Clinic and My Pets, Bahrain Rescues is always in need for dry food for cats and dogs. There is a donation bin in the My Pets store in Sanad or they can be contacted via Instagram for pick up.
To find your new furry friend or get more information, visit @bahrain_rescues and @bh_adoption on Instagram.
