How an Abu Dhabi couple started a car repair business to help stray cats – 52 rescued so far
Cat coasters, books on cats, and then actual cats prowling around the garage and peering through the windows. The real bosses of KoolKats, the Musaffah garage run by husband-and-wife Salim Gouasmia and Natalia Sobko, could just be the cats, and you would believe it immediately. Even the name is a nod to Salim’s Scandinavian roots. As I walk into this little cat haven, the beaming couple begin to…
In Abu Dhabi, a husband-and-wife team of Salim Gouasmia and Natalia Sobko have turned their garage into a unique cat rescue center called KoolKats. With over 52 stray cats rescued so far, the couple hopes their business will help both their customers and the local stray cat population. The name "KoolKats" is a nod to Salim's Scandinavian roots, while the garage provides a loving home for the rescued felines.
Natalia insists that part of the garage's profits must go towards the cat-friendly project, ensuring the business supports its core mission. The couple's rescue efforts began years before the garage opened, with Natalia forming a cat rescue group in Reem Island to trap and sterilize stray cats. In Musaffah alone, they have rescued 52 cats, providing them with medical care, vaccinations, and TNR processes.
KoolKats aims to set a standard for fair car repair prices, balancing affordability with proper staff compensation. The garage is also pioneering a remote diagnostics system, developed by Salim, which uses AI to analyze car data and help mechanics prepare for vehicle repairs. Salim hopes that others will join the cause and that the authorities will eventually follow suit, ensuring a safer and cleaner Musaffah for both humans and cats alike.
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