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Maha Al-Dhabhani plays with dogs at her shelter for stray animals in Sanaa, Yemen, Aug. 14, 2024. (Photo: Xinhua)

 

Maha Al-Dhabhani feeds animals at her shelter for stray animals in Sanaa, Yemen, Aug. 14, 2024. (Photo: Xinhua)

 
Amid protracted conflict and widespread poverty that have plagued Yemen for years, Maha Al-Dhabhani has established a unique shelter for abandoned dogs and cats in Sanaa.

"I take in all injured street animals, especially those with permanent disabilities, providing them with food, shelter, and medical care," the 34-year-old Yemeni woman told Xinhua.

Al-Dhabhani's day begins early with work at a private company in central Sanaa. After finishing her shift at 4:00 p.m., she heads to a local restaurant to collect leftover food for her animals. Despite these efforts, the scraps often fall short of meeting the shelter's needs.

"Three times a week, I visit chicken slaughterhouses to gather additional supplies," she said.

Specialized food, particularly for the long-haired, high-maintenance Persian cats, presents another challenge. A 15-kg bag of food, which lasts barely a week, costs up to 35,000 Yemeni rials (about 55 U.S. dollars).

Yemen is designated by the United Nations as facing one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. It has been locked in a brutal civil war since 2014, which has decimated the Arab country's economy and plunged millions into destitution.

Yet, for Al-Dhabhani, stray and injured animals, apart from humans, are also in desperate need of compassion and care.

Her shelter not only provides immediate care but also seeks permanent homes for rehabilitated animals. "We advertise adoptions on social media," she explained. "Animals with permanent conditions stay here, while others are placed with caring families."

Every month, Al-Dhabhani spends over 50,000 Yemeni rials on rent, water, and electricity for both parts of the shelter -- one for dogs and the other for cats. Covering costs for medicines, treatments, and veterinary care often forces her into debt.

The rainy season adds another layer of difficulty, as water seeps through the shelter's damaged ceiling and unwalled land, leading to chilling conditions that can be fatal for young cats.

Despite these obstacles, Al-Dhabhani remains committed to her cause, welcoming injured and stray animals daily. She hopes for more volunteers and support, particularly as she faces a lack of funding from charities and organizations.

"Humanity isn't just about empathy towards humans but also towards our animal co-inhabitants of Earth," she said.