After two cats were tragically run over within 24 hours in her Dubai gated community, Chiku Singh felt compelled to take action. Instead of just mourning, she contacted the community developer to advocate for changes ensuring greater safety for cats.
The community responded promptly. New speed bumps were installed, the speed limit was reduced to 20km/h, and a police camera was placed at the main entrance road.
“Witnessing two cats being killed so abruptly on our streets was heartbreaking. These animals are part of our community; they have names, and many of us care for them daily,” said Chiku, who has over 25 years of experience in animal welfare, rescuing and supporting stray animals.
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“I didn’t know what to expect when I reached out, but the developer acted swiftly, and these actions have already made a difference,” she shared with Khaleej Times. “For me, it was never just about the cats. Slowing traffic improves safety for everyone — children playing, families walking dogs, and the strays sharing our streets.”
Chiku and other residents have long worked to stabilize the cat population through trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs funded from their pockets and setting up feeding stations away from roads. However, reckless driving in gated communities has been an ongoing threat.
“This situation shows that one voice can make a difference. I hope other Dubai communities see this as a model because small changes can prevent many tragedies,” she added.
She recounted a memorable case of a kitten named Twinkle, left for dead after a hit-and-run. “I saw the driver speed away and, without a carrier, put her in a plastic bag and rushed to the vet. If I’d been 30 minutes later, she might not have survived,” she said.
Twinkle suffered internal bleeding, lung damage, and eye trauma but survived thanks to weeks of syringe feeding and care. Eventually, she was adopted within the same community.
“Twinkle was fortunate. Many others suffer and die in pain, never found. Drivers rarely stop, leaving animals to suffer,” she noted.
Digital Solutions for Adoption
During summer, when families leave the UAE for holidays, the number of abandoned pets rises sharply. Some are taken to clinics or shelters, but many are left on the streets. Pet welfare groups warn the issue worsens yearly, straining residents and volunteers.
Alongside community efforts, UAE animal activists are using technology to reduce abandonment and promote responsible pet ownership. An example is Bearlot’s Furry Friends (BFF), a mobile app reinventing adoption, fostering, and pet parenting. It connects adopters with rescue organizations, offers a digital “Pawfile” for tracking vet visits and vaccinations, and includes an AI assistant for personalized pet advice.
“We launched Bearlot’s Furry Friends because we believe every animal deserves more than survival. They deserve healing, second chances, and a family,” said BFF CEO Raneem Al Jaghoub. “We aim to inspire a conversation about rewriting rescues’ futures through community, compassion, and innovation.”
BFF COO Raya Al Jaghoub added: “The rescue scene in the UAE faces ongoing challenges, with overwhelmed organizations and many animals needing homes. BFF offers a technology-driven solution to connect people, rescues, and communities to enhance animal welfare nationwide.”
In Abu Dhabi, residents should contact the Centre of Waste Management at hotline 800555 if encountering strays. Dubai Municipality operates veterinary clinics for stray animals, though residents feeding strays may be fined.
