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

On Sunday, an adoption event held in Abu Dhabi brought together eight rescued cats with new families and four more adoptions pending. Organized by Microchipped.ae and the Rosewood Abu Dhabi hotel, the gathering aimed to promote responsible pet ownership and the importance of trap-neuter-return programs to manage stray cat populations. The event featured 56 cats available for adoption and drew significant support from Volunteers.ae, with all 80 available volunteer spots filled and others forming a reserve list.

Founder of Microchipped.ae, Dave Appleby, expressed emotional satisfaction at the event's turnout, stating that it exceeded their expectations. The initiative stemmed from his own personal experience of losing pets and the subsequent search for three missing cats in Khalifa City, which led to the creation of the free online platform Microchipped.ae. The platform helps match microchip numbers with found or sheltered animals, ensuring no other family faces the anguish of uncertainty about their missing pets.

Appleby emphasized the purpose of Sunday's event, encouraging visitors to appreciate the stray cats they encounter and understand the importance of small acts of care. He stated that every cat has a story and deserves to be seen. Microchipping, getting a pet passport, and promptly scanning lost cats are crucial steps in reuniting them with their owners. Appleby also clarified that adoption is not a transaction but a lifelong commitment.

For those interested in animal welfare but unsure of how to start, Appleby advised taking manageable steps, such as fostering for a week, volunteering to drive a cat to a vet, learning to scan a microchip, or sharing genuine adoption posts. When encountering a lost cat, Appleby recommended taking a photograph, having its microchip checked at a vet, and sharing the information on the Microchipped website.

Finally, Appleby urged residents to recognize the tireless work of animal rescuers who dedicate themselves to animal welfare in the UAE, often independently. He emphasized that even a simple "thank you" can make a significant difference in their efforts.