Animal lovers urge Bahrain drivers to exercise caution

TDT | Manama                    

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com  

Reported by Zahra Ayaz

Following many incidents with cats getting trapped under vehicles or hit by motorists on highways, animal lovers in Bahrain have urged drivers to exercise caution. As temperature drops, cats spot unusual places for warmth, and mostly under hoods too!

Residents who have witnessed such incidents or had saved a few felines from disaster warn people to watch their cars before accelerating away. They also urge motorists to take care not to run over cats on the streets.

Mishel Fernandes, an animal enthusiast and cat owner, told The Daily Tribune, “I reside in Adliya, and I notice a lot of cats in my region every time.

“It’s heartbreaking to witness animals getting struck by cars. “Since owners either unintentionally or consciously abandon them, stray cats have become a major issue in the Kingdom.

“When pets become disruptive or grow too large, people abandon them. These cats are often left alone on the property or dropped off on the roadside. “Such animals are often discovered after foreclosure when the new realtor enters the home.

“Animals fortunate enough to survive were discovered often in poor condition due to lack of resources such as water and food.” She also pointed out: “These abandoned pets become feral as they have to fend for themselves.

“Now, feral cats are said to have outnumbered dogs as it is impossible to reintroduce cats to a new owner. Another cat lover said, “I think reducing the amount of freely available food will reduce the attractiveness of an area to the cats and thus help in population control.”

“People should understand that left-out food not just attracts cats, but also rats and other unsavoury pets. “The most effective way of controlling the population is by capturing the adult cats and having them sterilised and releasing them back to the community.

“Pets won’t survive in the wild without resources, which means they are at a disadvantage whenever they are left without humans to watch over them. “Many are left to starve or become dehydrated. I request the concerned authorities in the Kingdom to look into the issues of stray cats.”