Animal welfare association to advocate love for animals among communities

MUSCAT: The newly formed Oman Animal Welfare Association (OAWA) will be organising community awareness programmes with the aim of spreading the importance of helping animals lead a better life when they are abandoned, deserted or injured, bringing hope to Oman’s most vulnerable creatures.
The Oman Animal Welfare Association (OAWA) is the first officially registered animal welfare organisation in the Sultanate of Oman and was formally registered under Ministerial Decision No 171/2025, issued on 22 May 2025. It is a non-profit civil society organisation aiming to improve animal welfare practices, enhance awareness, and protect animal rights in Oman.

The leadership emphasises that formal registration is only the beginning of a larger national movement. Sayyidah Salsabeel bint Badr al Busaidi, OAWA's Chairperson stated, “The official recognition of OAWA marks a significant milestone in our journey, turning acts of kindness into a united national effort. Through collaboration and empathy, we are cultivating a deeper compassionate Oman, where both people and animals can coexist harmoniously,” she said.
To celebrate this milestone and share its mission directly with the community, the public is invited to the Sabco Centre on August 25 where a plethora of fun-filled community events will take place offering a perfect venue to discover what the organisation stands for, support its work, and to enjoy a memorable day together.
The event will offer a unique opportunity to meet the team, learn about ongoing welfare initiatives, and discover how to make a meaningful difference through volunteering, fostering, or adopting. Designed for visitors of all ages, the market will feature lively and engaging kids activities, including interactive arts and crafts, and fun-filled games allowing adults the time to browse the fundraising market, purchase OAWA items, and get introduced to the organisation’s core responsibilities.
The Association is further leveraging strategic partnerships, education, and technology to establish a sustainable animal welfare culture, as highlighted by its Marketing Manager, Asma al Shaikh. Key initiatives include implementing TNVR programmes, developing a structured hotline, and piloting automated, data-driven feeding stations to improve animal health and urban sanitation.
'By humanely managing stray populations and deploying clean technology like our stations, we protect native wildlife, eliminate urban waste, and elevate the Sultanate's international standing on the global Environmental Performance Index,' Asma said.
Beyond urban street cats and dogs, OAWA places the vital emphasis on preserving Oman’s indigenous animal heritage, advocating for the welfare of native breeds and wildlife. The leadership emphasises that animal welfare is not just the job of a single organisation, but a shared community responsibility. Simple actions, such as leaving out clean water bowls or reporting instances of animal cruelty, can save lives. Sajeewa Jayasuriya, a marketing specialist who has volunteered in various capacities to care for animals in need for over a decade, states, “Together, we can rescue, heal, re-home, and give every stray animal the loving homes they deserve.”
“By launching the Oman Animal Welfare Association, the country is taking a significant step toward creating a kinder future for non-human animals,” an animal-lover wrote on social media.