As unprecedented rainfall and severe winds swept across the United Arab Emirates, dedicated animal welfare advocates mobilized to address the critical needs of stray animals facing life-threatening conditions. Among them, Chiku Singh, a British expatriate with over 25 years of community rescue experience, embarked on urgent missions across Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi to secure animal feeding stations and reinforce shelters.
The extreme weather conditions created emergency situations for street animals, with flooding submerging feeding areas, collapsing shelters, and exposing vulnerable animals to hypothermia risks. “For stray animals, storms are emergencies,” Singh emphasized. “Kittens can lose body heat within minutes, while elderly and sick animals struggle profoundly when their environment turns wet and cold.”
Singh’s systematic approach involved elevating feeding bowls above flooded grounds using bricks as anchors, replacing waterlogged food with dry alternatives to prevent illness, and reinforcing insulated shelter units with waterproof layers and insulating hay. The rescue specialist utilized specifically designed elevated rest houses rather than temporary cardboard solutions, ensuring proper ventilation while maintaining warmth retention capabilities.
With approximately 83 insulated units now deployed across multiple emirates—including labor camp areas in Mussafah and Al Reef, residential communities such as Sports City and Motor City, and various industrial zones—the initiative represents a coordinated response to weather-related animal welfare challenges. During severe conditions, stray animals frequently seek refuge near buildings or parked vehicles as familiar terrain becomes unrecognizable and dangerous.
Singh noted that proactive preparation significantly reduced animal suffering during the recent storms: “There are animals inside dry shelters instead of under cars, and feeding stations remained functional. Some animals will survive specifically because timely preparations were implemented.” The animal advocate emphasized that responsible care during extreme weather requires comprehensive planning beyond merely leaving food outdoors, necessitating properly designed feeding stations and adequately ventilated shelters to prevent moisture accumulation.
The ongoing effort underscores the vulnerability of street animals during environmental crises and highlights the critical intervention of community rescuers who remain active when most retreat indoors. As Singh poignantly stated, “When the storm hits, someone has to remain on the streets for those who cannot ask for help.”