Dubai: Every week, Kimberly Bellis, a cat rescuer holds cat adoption days, as is an opportunity for people to meet cats, discuss with the rescuers and ask any questions they may have.
The special adoption days take place on Sundays from 11 am to 2 pm, located in the Noble Veterinary Clinic and Pet Mart. However, she is planning to reduce the time from weekly to every other week. This way, increased participation from customers.
Also, read – HOPE – An initiative to Help Out Possibly Everyone Everywhere by GEMS Legacy School
It is also a special opportunity for people to see which cats are most compatible with their personalities and home lives. “Pictures don’t always do animals justice. It’s extremely important to meet them and have that face-to-face time with their rescuer to ask questions and understand what they are looking for in a new pet,” Kimberly Bellis stated.
Bellis has support from her team member Maya helps her to set up everything that is needed. Multiple other rescuers are involved by bringing in cats to help them find their forever homes.
The reason why she organizes these days is because of her passion for cats. “It definitely increases awareness and interest in adoption which I want to promote.” She spoke. Another reason is to encourage the adoption rather than the purchasing of these cats. “This is to help the plight or strays and dumped pets in the UAE.” She added.
In order to receive clients, Kimberly promotes mainly through Online media such as Facebook, WhatsApp, word of mouth and Instagram. The Pet Mart attached to the clinic also sends out fliers with every order they receive. Kimberly shares the flier at work, and anywhere else she can. She also stated, “I am in the process of having a sign board created that will be put on the roadside to attract passing traffic.”
Some difficulties she faces include sometimes the assumption animals are free. Charging a fee for packaging payable to the clinic ensures commitment from the adopter’s side. However, there are discounted rates for vaccines, neutering, deworming, and microchip to the adopter so it encourages people to adopt as it is a great deal.
A heartfelt story she shared was of Holly, who is now renamed Dolly.
She was found trapped in a car park building. She waited there for days until she was admitted to the clinic, needing emergency antibiotics and booked to go to Abu Dhabi for surgery. She was then discharged to a foster home where recovery took six weeks, and now she lives with six other cats.
– This article is contributed by TheBrewNews Intern Bianca Mostert, a student of GEMS First Point School.
