Animal sanctuary hoping to make a difference

Rescued and abandoned animals looking for a new home have found a safe refugee here in the capital.

The Al Bahya Animal Sanctuary, which is located on a local Emirati-owned farm in Al Bahia, currently has a menagerie of rescued animals totalling two ponies, four donkeys, more than 80 cats and four dogs.

The sanctuary was initially created after the organiser rescued four stray kittens near Spinney’s in the city. Thinking a farm would be the best place for them, the refuge was soon accepting more and more animals, all in desperate need of being rescued.

“All the animals have horrific stories,” says Stephanie Damm, co-organiser of the Al Bahya Animal Sanctuary. The family of donkeys, for example, were found off a highway on the way to Sharjah with rope and burn marks on them, indicating possible beatings. Initially frightened by humans, they have slowly begun trusting their handlers.

Visitors looking to interact with the animals can check out the dedicated open days every month. Hosted on the second Saturday of every month, the next edition will be hosted in the New Year on 11th January. Guests are encouraged to bring donations of food, carrots and/or apples when they visit.

In addition to family days out, the farm is currently approaching local schools to further their outreach goals. Hoping to conduct visits with schoolchildren by mid-January, the educational component hopes to instil the importance of respecting animals. Damm explains that it is “especially important in this country for children to learn about how to treat animals.”

Currently, some of the cats on the farm are available for adoption.
For more information visit their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/BayhaSanctuary