From missing pets to new homes, Microchipped’s mission to help UAE cats

On Sunday, eight rescued cats discovered new homes during an adoption event in Abu Dhabi, with four more adoptions pending. Organized by Microchipped.ae and the Rosewood Abu Dhabi hotel, the gathering not only aimed to place the cats in permanent homes but also emphasized responsible pet ownership and trap-neuter-return programs.

Hosted by the microchip database service, the event drew together animal rescuers, prospective adopters, and families, showcasing 56 cats up for adoption. The initiative was spurred by Dave Appleby, founder of Microchipped.ae, who lost three pets and established the platform to prevent others from experiencing the same anguish. Appleby's initiative aimed to educate the community about adopting rather than buying animals and to highlight the impact of small acts of care on stray cats.

Volunteers.ae provided 80 volunteer places for the event, with additional volunteers joining a reserve list. Appleby stressed that adopting a pet is a long-term commitment and advised potential pet owners to begin with manageable tasks such as fostering, volunteering, or scanning microchips. He also urged individuals to support rescuers and recognize their efforts beyond such events, emphasizing that even a simple thank you can make a significant difference.