Nine Lives of "Fred" the one-eyed cat

This is a tribute to my good friend Meg who saved Fred from using up all his nine lives the other day.  She found a bedraggled, flea-ridden feline mewling outside her villa door begging to be let in.  (I think cats have a sixth sense and know who the compassionate and caring humans are, and make a bee-line for them).  Fred has already used up some of his nine lives we know, as he has lost an eye - most likely to an infection as a kitten.  On the other hand, he must also be one of the resilient ones - he has loads of personality, and is so friendly - brushing up against your leg and then flopping down and rolling onto his back waiting to be stroked and petted.

His eye didn't seem to bother him much, but it sure bothered Meg.  She enlisted my help and we set off to the nearest vet.  (Three phone calls later, and a few u-turns, we came upon the place quite by accident - typical Doha style).  He was seen by a vet who reassured us about the eye - gone, painless and adaptive.  But Meg went the extra mile - one-eyed Fred has received an innoculation and, probably to his disgust, will now be a neutered number unable to wreak anymore havoc on the neighbourhood.

We are both hoping that some well-placed adverts will get him a good home.  Unfortunately, in this part of the world, that may not be the fairy tale ending.  Stray and feral animals are everywhere.  Most folks are doing what they can to help by putting out food and water for "compound cats" - defined as cats with no specific owner, but access to sustenance in a particular compound.  Others are not so lucky, and become wildly feral and untouchable.  The problem is exacerbated by ex-pats from all over the world who indulge children in that cute, furry little bundle of fluff and eight months later Rover, the size of a horse, or Fifi the cat, about to produce her first litter, are shoved outside the gates to fend for themselves.  Or the ultimate insult - take them to QAWS for "boarding while we are on vacation" and then never return.

QAWS (Qatar Animal Welfare Society) is our answer to the SPCA here and they are doing spectacular work trying to neuter and spay all strays in a catch-and-release program.  Unfortunately, they are not considered a public charity as yet and therefore, cannot accept corporate monetary donations and rely on the goodness of people like my friend to supply food, foster care, homes, and medical attention to the likes of Fred.  So while their attempts are laudable, they are unable to get to every animal out there.  Another thing they are doing is trying to educate the public with presentations in schools and organizations which I really hope will help in the long run.

You can read more about qaws at Facebook Causes:

http://apps.facebook.com/causes/346963/1888486?m=830f7398&t=1252053687

Hats off to Meg in particular, and QAWS in general.  You are making a difference.