In 2004, a number of animal lovers founded the Qatar Animal Welfare Society (QAWS).
The Society is a non-profit organisation that provides shelter, food, medication and care to pets at the expense of the volunteers, without any financial support from the government. The founders and volunteers in the Society are Qatari residents who took it upon themselves to provide abandoned animals food and shelter.
However, their mission of providing shelter to hundreds of animals may end soon as the Society is running out of funds. The lease agreement for the land from which QAWS operates expired on 31 December 2012 and a renewal was not offered. The organization has been given until 1 June 2013 to vacate the land from where it is currently based. To date, QAWS has not found new land from which it can operate.
A similar predicament confronted an animal welfare society in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). But the UAE government provided the group land, a building and equipment for free. Unfortunately, animals are not a priority for Qatar’s government.
While seminars about the environment, agriculture and weather are held frequently in Qatar, pets are totally neglected.
Pets in Qatar need our attention. “If a mule slipped in Iraq, I am afraid God will punish me for not paving the way for it,” said caliph Umar ibn Al Khattab, whose rule extended over an area comprising ten modern-day countries, including Egypt, Iraq, Libya and Iran, besides Palestine.
The caliph’s saying makes clear to everybody that rulers have a responsibility towards every creature.
While much attention and money are lavished on camels and falcons, poor cats get run over by speeding cars. Some people say looking after pets is a Western practice. Ironically, people in the West apply the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) more than anybody else.
More than 14 centuries ago, the Prophet narrated a parable about a thirsty man in a desert. The man found a well and quenched his thirst. He then saw a dog panting and eating mud due to thirst. He filled his shoe with water so the thirsty dog could drink. Allah absolved the man of his sins for this kind act. The Prophet stressed that God rewards man for helping animals.
More than 300 pets with QAWS are facing an unknown future. Will the Society overcome its problems with the help of volunteers and the government? Or is it doomed along with its cats and dogs?
