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Original poster

Rescues from UAE

47 replies

onthecathunt · 09/04/2021 17:09

Has anyone done this or had success with it? I'm finding it near impossible to find a rescue cat in the UK that is allowed to be rehomed with young children and allowed outside (a lot seem to be FIV+)
A lot of the rescues say they're no longer accepting applications as they have too many.
I've come across rescue sites flying cats over from Abu Dhabi, all vet checked with chips passports etc. Everyone seems genuine and is requesting videos of the home/garden/family and filling out in depth adoption forms. I'm worried they might not be genuine or it's bad for the cats etc so looking for advice.
Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
onthecathunt · 09/04/2021 17:13

Also I should say I know it's kitten season here but ideally we'd prefer to rescue a grown up cat so we know their personality more and that they'll be ok with the kids. I'm also wanting to settle the cat into our home before I go back to work p/t in July

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Shmithecat2 · 09/04/2021 17:18

I lived in KSA and 'gathered' some cats in my time there - I've had them all shipped over to the UK (moved back a little while ago) and they've all settled fine! But I did have them for 7 years before we shipped them. There are genuine rescues that will send animals abroad in KSA, so I'm guessing there exist in the UAE too. It's not cheap though. It cost us approx £1k per cat...

Toasty280 · 09/04/2021 17:21

Most of the UAE ones are legit. If it's one linked to a lady called Jackie C it's defiantly good.

Toasty280 · 09/04/2021 17:22

My Abu Dhabi cat (we got him as a rescue when we lived there and he came back with us) is the cuddliest cat ever.

WeatherwaxLives · 09/04/2021 17:26

I'm currently in the process of adopting a cat from RANA (North Africa) because of the same reasons and a young child.

Makes me really frustrated to see all the ads for overflowing rescues and then they just won't even consider families with kids under 12.

Original poster
onthecathunt · 09/04/2021 17:35

That all sounds positive then, the adoption costs are around £300 which they say covers vet checks/microchip/neutering and passport and then the rescuer pays the travel cost which is around £650. Perhaps I'm cynical but I just couldn't work out how they afford it and why spend so much. Maybe people in UAE don't adopt many cats and prefer new

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FourKidsOneCat · 09/04/2021 17:38

We had a very similar experience with rescues and also didn’t want a kitten (and not just because moggies are selling for £500-800 locally!). We just adopted our cat from UAE. Seamless process and they made an effort to match us to a cat that was suited to our family. He has settled in straight away and is a really lovely cat.
The rescue we used charged £300 as a contribution to all his vaccinations, neutering, flight etc.

shutterteal · 09/04/2021 17:38

OP, there are so many stray and abandoned cats in the UAE. If you can adopt from there please go ahead. It is a real issue.

Stirmecrazy · 09/04/2021 17:50

We came away with 2 cats from our stint in Dubai (and at one stage had 4 and we are not mad cat people) Soo many cats in Dubai. Hard to avoid getting one. People abandon them when they leave unneutered and then they of course breed . Ours have travelled the world with us. Not sure how impressed they are with the UK weather but appear to have adjusted well here and great cats Lovely of you to adopt an older cat. I hope it works out for yo

Stirmecrazy · 09/04/2021 17:51

You not yo!

TheAirbender · 09/04/2021 17:55

Happy to ask on some local group if the rescue us legit, I am in Dubai. I wish more people would do this! That said, we just missed out on a rescue puppy who was being sent to the UK - so maybe it’s becoming a thing.

Original poster
onthecathunt · 09/04/2021 18:05

It does sound legit then, @FourKidsOneCat can I ask what rescuer or group you found your cat through?

OP posts:
FourKidsOneCat · 09/04/2021 18:10

Yep. Dessert Paws - think they’re only on Facebook but were great.
Our cat is an abandoned kitty (not a street cat) who was left by an expat family who didn’t want to take him when they left. He’s 2 and is obviously really well socialised and enjoys being round people. We had to fill in quite a lengthy pre-adoption form as well as send photos and videos of our home.

Original poster
onthecathunt · 09/04/2021 18:17

Great thank you @FourKidsOneCat that's really good to know as they are the rescue that I have been speaking with!

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Balloondog · 09/04/2021 18:22

Yes, as per PP we collected numerous stray and unwanted cats when living in Dubai. We have since brought the 2 who were still alive back with us and they settled really well here. It's absolutely a thing I'm afraid as there are so many abandoned cats there. Bin Kitty and Feline Friends are two well known organisations who adopt out abandoned/stray cats from Dubai.

Toddlerteaplease · 09/04/2021 18:43

My cousin lives in Dubai and arranges rescues travel to England.

Original poster
onthecathunt · 10/04/2021 11:45

I think we've found a one that's a great match for us and will move forward with the adoption process, very exciting!
Any name suggestions welcome, I liked Percy but DH isn't keen. I did have Boysie and Marylebone on my list but I think they'd suit bigger fluffier cats than this one!

Rescues from UAE
OP posts:
FourKidsOneCat · 10/04/2021 11:50

He looks gorgeous! He looks like a Percy to me! Good luck with it all.

SappysCurry · 10/04/2021 11:52

Gorgeous - love his huge feet ❤️

AnnaMagnani · 10/04/2021 11:53

My rescue from UAE with Desert Paws arrived last week!

Like you, really wanted a rescue, couldn't wait for kitten season and was not going to pay £500 for a backroom bred moggy.

Desert cat is utterly adorable but I would warn - high energy! Silky cat is yet to be convinced but Desert cat is v mellow and much more interested in escape attempts.

PassMeTheWotsits · 10/04/2021 11:57

He looks like a Ted to me

Original poster
onthecathunt · 10/04/2021 18:17

@FourKidsOneCat did you have any issues getting insurance for yours? Just checking as can't find anything online so maybe it's not a problem they're from overseas

OP posts:
FourKidsOneCat · 10/04/2021 18:37

No problem getting insurance - they don’t ask where they’re from but do ask the breed. Are you still going through Desert Paws? If so, they’ll send insurance info after the cat arrives.

PineapplePower · 10/04/2021 18:43

So happy to hear you’re getting a cat from the
Middle East! The stray cat population has been out of control for a very long time and this is really the best way to adopt out some of these very friendly street cats, some abandoned by expats 😓

Autumn101 · 10/04/2021 18:49

My lovely little Middle East cat is currently curled up on my lap! We got her when we lived there then she moved to Qatar with us and then back to U.K. 6 months ago.

The amount of stray cats in the whole of the ME is staggering, far too many to ever find homes for so absolutely go for it! I spent years volunteering with the cat charities over there, they do a fantastic job.

Be prepared for their nose to put out of joint by the cold and rain though, mine was less than impressed the first time she went outside!!

No issues with insurance either

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