Hearts for Paws
- MJ Bedard
- Apr 15
- 3 min read
A Compassionate Call to Care for Qatar's Stray Animals
Written by Anca-Stefania Iorgulescu
Photography by Marie-Josée Bédard
Under the warm Doha sun, where shade offers refuge to those without homes, the silent pads of countless paws traverse our city streets. These are Qatar's guardians - resilient spirits with whiskers and wide eyes, living testament to both our community's compassion and its oversights. Now, a social good initiative is arising to honor their silent dignity and encourage us to care for them.
In a sanctuary where purrs and conversation mingled beneath gentle lighting, Creative Avenue and Fat Cat Café recently hosted a gathering unlike any other. The Caring for CATar Community Event, held on April 10th, was not merely an assembly of animal advocates, but the foundation of a collective effort, a testament to the ancient wisdom that how we treat the most vulnerable among us defines who we truly are.
As the evening unfolded beneath the watchful gaze of resident felines, Dr. Amal Al-Malki emphasized the vision of Caring for CATar with words that resonated with everyone in the room: "Compassion cannot be divided. If you are compassionate toward humans, you will be compassionate toward animals too.”
The gathering embraced the sacred Islamic principles of رحمة (rahma) and إحسان (ihsan)—mercy flowing like water to the thirsty, excellence in kindness without expectation of reward. These timeless values found new expression through the passionate voices of our speakers, each carrying stories from Qatar's frontlines of animal welfare.
Dr. Hamad Al Ansari of Exotic Animals Vet Clinic spoke of the importance of authorities' support in the animal welfare cause, while Lana Malkawi from Pawmise Rescue shared tales of rescues and the importance of education through school programs. Carlotta Gelmetti illustrated how TNR Qatar's work honors the natural cycles of feline life while preventing suffering—each narrative a thread in the tapestry of mercy being woven through our common efforts.
As attendees stroked soft fur and offered gentle scratches behind eager ears, something profound transpired—a wordless exchange between species, a recognition that boundaries between "us" and "them" are more permeable than we imagine. In those moments of connection, the true spirit of the campaign was embodied: we are not saviors of these creatures but partners in creating a more compassionate Qatar.
The evening's survey revealed a community awakening to urgency without surrendering to despair. Participants envisioned feeding stations like oasis in concrete deserts, educational initiatives blooming in schools like desert flowers after rain, and TNR programs expanding like ripples in still water—each suggestion infused with the belief that every small act of kindness matters.
What emerged most clearly was the recognition that this journey belongs to all of us—veterinarians whose hands heal, businesses whose resources empower, institutions whose policies protect, and individuals whose daily choices create space for compassion. The path forward is illuminated not by a single torch but by countless lights carried by those who refuse to look away.
As moonlight fell across Doha that evening, participants departed carrying more than memories—they carried the weight of being aware of the strays’ situation and the lightness of purpose. For in the eyes of Qatar's street cats, we glimpse something of ourselves: vulnerability, resilience, and the universal yearning to be seen and protected.
Will you join us? Will you help transform our streets into sanctuaries, our community into caretakers? The cats of Qatar wait in shadows and sunlight, their silent patience a challenge to our humanity. Together, we can answer their unspoken question with actions that honor both wisdom and our shared future.
Visit https://creativeavenue.qa/caring-for-catar/ to be the change you want to see in the world. Compassion changes everything—one paw print, one heart at a time.
Anca-Stefania Iorgulescu guides her life through the timeless motto Nihil Sine Deo (Nothing Without God). She weaves business strategy with human wisdom as she stands at the intersection of pragmatic thinking and inner awareness. She believes we are not victims of our circumstances, but designers of our realities.
With a contemplative spirit and adventurous heart, Anca-Stefania pursues freedom within the mind, body and spirit. Her diverse passions, from the disciplined practice of musical instruments to the exhilarating rush of extreme sports, reflect her belief that a rich life embraces both reflection and bold action.
In her work and writing, she offers not just strategies, but invitations to reimagine what's possible. Anca-Stefania learned that true strength lies in vulnerability, and that dignity—for oneself and all beings—is the cornerstone upon which genuine human connection is built. https://www.instagram.com/ancastefaniaiorgulescu/
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