Aisha Rashid, a 39-year-old Pakistani expatriate in the UAE, is struggling to save 65 rescued cats she has been sheltering in a Dubai apartment.
With her property management company demanding the removal of the animals, she now faces eviction by October 2.
From Lockdown Rescue to Full-Time Responsibility
Rashid’s journey began during the Covid-19 lockdown when she stepped in to feed stray cats after their caretaker left the country.
When the original caregiver declined to continue after returning months later, Rashid and her mother felt compelled to keep looking after the cats.
What started as a temporary act of kindness soon evolved into a large-scale rescue operation that has overtaken her personal life and finances.
Financial and Emotional Burden
Earning Dh 7,000 a month working in the auto loan disbursal department of a back-office services company, Rashid says most of her income is consumed by the cats’ needs.
Over the past six years, she has funded the neutering of around 150 cats, spending Dh4,000–Dh5,000 monthly on veterinary care while also paying rent.
As her reputation for helping animals grew, more abandoned cats were left near her home, many suffering from blindness and other serious health conditions.
Mounting Medical Emergencies
Several cats under her care require urgent medical attention. Some have lost eyes, others are partially blind, and recent hit-and-run accidents left two cats with bone fractures.
Veterinary bills have reached as high as Dh 5,000 per case, though one clinic has allowed her to pay in instalments due to her financial strain.
Family Struggles and Extra Costs
Rashid’s family is also facing hardships. Her mother is battling blood cancer after surviving breast cancer, while her father has been retired for seven years.
Her brother helps with household rent, while she pays Dh 31,000 annually for the apartment housing the cats.
To avoid disturbing neighbours, the family has rented a second apartment in a nearby building for themselves while continuing to feed strays outside.
Penalties and Eviction Threat
The property management company has fined Rashid Dh8,000 for keeping cats in the apartment.
According to her, the fine will only be lifted if she removes the animals; otherwise, she must pay and vacate, despite already covering rent until December. With limited space, the cats often fight, and behavioural problems have emerged, adding to her difficulties.
Urgent Plea for Support
With only days left before the deadline, Rashid is appealing for help from authorities, animal lovers, or shelters.
She hopes to relocate the cats to a villa or farmhouse where they can live safely.
“No one wants to adopt stray cats; they all want purebred ones,” she said. “But we are humans, and we have to take care of them. Even though I’m struggling, when I see abandoned cats, I cry for them.”
Via: Gulf News
She has to throw these cats away.These cats are dirty animals.Love humanninstead
look who is talking..cats are more clean than you i think because you have a dirty heart..
She is great women.
يا لها من انسانة طيبة السيدة عائشة وعائلتها في قلوبهم الرحمة على هذه المخلوقات البريئة جزاهم الله خيرا ، يارب يتبرع لهم اجد المحسنين وهم كثر في ذلك البلد المعطاء بفيلا حتى لا يضايقها احد والقطط يعيشون بمكان اوسع .
How can we make a donation to help her? I live in Canada but would like to help
0529458188, she is my neighbor….
I can help to get her contact number
U can what’s up me
So that we know the money will reach her,
please can you update the article with her contact PayPal or some method that we know the money will reach her
hello Tanya,
you should contact this cat Lady directly..dont trust other people because there are a lot of scammers in Dubai now..my daughter is also a cat rescuer but we have less than 30 and we dont disturbed our neighbors
I urge all Pakistanis and Bangladeshis to unite and start an agitation against the inhuman government of the UAE. It’s time to eradicate the menace of emiratis. They are moron, and similar to hindus
May Allah swt bless you in this duniya and akhira
Property management are getting hostile. Public must act aggressively and become dominant against such cruel and selfish property owners. Looking after cats is not a grave sin. But, unfortunately, these property owners accept prostitution and illicit massage activities and smuggling of alcoholic beverages, but consider looking after stray cats a criminal offence.
I wish I could help you . Every night I too feed 200 + stray cats in Shanghai , China for 15 years. . I not only freed them , but I also extract the love deeply buried in their heart . Of course , my kindness draws me closer & closer to Allah . I too have to undergo many challenges. So don’t worry , do your best and God will take care of the rest . May God always bless you . This video of me was taken i think 7 years ago of me feeding cats . https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PW2_rZrteL0&pp=ygUUQ2F0IG1hbiBpbiBzaGFiZ2hhaSA%3D
Unfortunately except for few humans are the most heartless , cruel and selfish creatures. These voiceless innocent cats , dogs and other animals suffer either directly or indirectly by humans.
while this is an act of kindness, most apartment companies have strict rules for keeping animals in the apartment. you must inform the leasing office before bringing a pet. I am sure she has signed a lease with such terms.
Yes, majority of Muslims are sick people who have no empathy towards anyone else other than themselves.
And we are supposed to be the followers of the one who was sent as Rahimatul Alameen.
Majority Muslim!! How could u judge the majority Muslim!! such a ridiculous comment!!
Human is the cruel creature on earth. I love cats. Proud of you sister.