Community interaction day seeks protection of stray animals

MUSCAT: The Oman Animal Welfare Association (OAWA) introduced its activities to the public at a one-day community event held at SABCO on Tuesday. It was the first official public introduction and interaction with the association that has set many goals to protect animals and build team support.
The team urged the public to get involved through volunteering time, fostering rescued animals, or supporting the association's educational campaigns to help build a compassionate society that includes animals.
For years, compassionate citizens and residents shouldered the immense responsibility of protecting strays entirely on their own, but now there is a structured system to support the efforts.
Sayyidah Salsabeel bint Badr al Busaidi, OAWA's chairperson, believes people and animals can coexist harmoniously. 'This event has given us the opportunity to showcase what OAWA has achieved in the last 8 to 10 months and to introduce the seven committees, the volunteers and the progress we have made,' said Sayyida Salsabeel.
This new national platform has brought together the passionate advocates under a structured, legal umbrella, granting them the institutional support needed to create lasting societal change.
'Our objective for today's event is to introduce Oman Animal Welfare Association initiatives to the public and to spread awareness of how simple it is to be supportive in any way of the welfare of our loving animals,' said Asma al Shaikh, Marketing Manager of OAWA.
The fun-filled community market offered the opportunity to discover what the organisation stands for, how to support its work, and how to become a volunteer.

The event offered 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 and spreading awareness. Designed for visitors of all ages, the market featured lively and engaging kids' activities, including interactive arts and crafts and fun games, allowing adults the time to browse the fundraising market, purchase OAWA items, and get introduced to the organisation's core responsibilities.
The initiatives of the association require financial support.
'Yes, of course; we need the support to help cover our vet bills or sponsor our projects like TNVMR, feeding stations and educational projects as well. So far we have got mostly positive responses, but there is a lot of work to do on coexistence, awareness and responsible pet ownership,' said the board member and treasurer of OAWA, Baida al Zadjali, who has been personally rescuing animals for the past 10 years and has over 30 cats under her care.
At present, at the association's headquarters in Azaiba, eight cats are already waiting for adoption or for fostering homes.
At its heart, the organisation focuses on the rescue and rehabilitation of homeless animals and spreading awareness throughout Oman as well as long-term preventative measures.
'Rescuing animals means helping animals that are injured, abandoned, abused, homeless, or in danger. It may involve providing food, shelter, medical treatment and safety, followed by reuniting them with their owners, releasing them safely, or finding them a loving home. Every rescue gives an animal another chance at a safe and happy life,' explained Sajeewa Jayasuriya, marketing specialist.