Our mission is to build a pioneering cat shelter that sets a global standard of excellence, compassion, and safety. We envision a state-of-the-art facility, guided by years of experience and the compassionate values of the UAE and Islamic principles of care for all living beings. Working closely with the government, we aim to establish the most rigorous and innovative protocols, making our shelter an exemplary model for animal welfare worldwide. With a well-planned infrastructure, we can prevent cross-contamination, promote recovery, and create a sanctuary where every cat receives the loving care they need to thrive.

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At our current sanctuary, we’ve created a carefully designed system to protect the health and well-being of every cat we rescue. With dedicated protocols in place, we ensure a safe environment, preventing the spread of diseases and giving each cat the individual care they deserve. This system allows us to provide a higher standard of care, and our goal is to keep growing and improving it—building a model sanctuary that can support more rescues and set a new standard for cat welfare in our community and beyond.

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*Entry Protocols and Health Assessments:*
Every cat’s journey to wellness and adoption begins with a comprehensive health evaluation. To ensure the safety of our shelter, we’ve designed specific health protocols for each feline upon intake:

1. *Pre-Shelter Health Screenings:* All cats undergo mandatory testing before entering the shelter. For adult cats, these include IDEXX FIV and FeLV tests, PCR tests for parvovirus, calicivirus, caliciherpes, and mycoplasma, and checks for ear mites, gastrointestinal parasites (e.g., Giardia), respiratory and cardiac health, and ringworm.

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2. *Age-Adjusted Protocols for Kittens:* We adapt our protocols for younger kittens to ensure accuracy, waiting until they reach a suitable age for conclusive testing.

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3. *Detailed Health Records:* For each cat, we record video documentation of the initial veterinary examination, noting the cat's condition upon rescue. This includes oral checks for ulcers, gum health, and overall dental condition. 

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4. *Grooming and Identification:* Cats in good health receive spaying or neutering, microchipping, a full grooming session, and ear-tipping for easy identification.

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5. *Observation Period:* Before entering general shelter areas, every cat spends four weeks in our dedicated Observation Room, housed in antimicrobial, anti-mold wooden enclosures to prevent infection. Here, we monitor their health daily, tracking their weight, food and water intake, stool, energy levels, and body temperature. We administer both vaccines during this period and closely watch for any adverse reactions before allowing integration.

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*Comprehensive Isolation and Recovery Spaces:*
To ensure a safe, healing environment, our shelter design includes distinct, ventilated indoor and outdoor areas for cats, categorized by health status:

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1. *Disease-Specific Rooms:* Cats are separated based on their health profiles to prevent cross-contamination. These areas include rooms for healthy, vaccinated cats; unvaccinated mothers and kittens; and spaces dedicated to cats with parvovirus, calicivirus, caliciherpes, ringworm, respiratory issues, feline coronavirus, FIP treatment, FIV, and FeLV. Each room has sub-sections for cases involving multiple health concerns.

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2. *Indoor-Outdoor Access with Elevation and Drainage:* Each health zone includes an outdoor “catio,” which is elevated to prevent flooding during the rainy season. A drainage system will ensure quick and safe water removal, keeping each section isolated from potential contamination.

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3. *Individualized Tags for Identification:* Each cat wears a collar with a tag, showing their name and microchip number for easy identification. We have designed a digital database that will allow visitors and staff to access each cat’s medical records, health history, and personality traits.

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*Team Structure and Hygiene Protocols:*

Maintaining high standards of hygiene and care, each section of the shelter will have a dedicated team to prevent any disease spread:

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1. *Trained and Certified Personnel:* Each team member in the shelter will be an experienced nurse or veterinarian, working exclusively within a single health section to prevent cross-contamination. Staff will follow strict guidelines, including designated pathways and sanitation stations for gown disposal and personal disinfection before leaving each section.

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2. *Emergency Exits and Ventilation Systems:* Every section includes separate ventilation to avoid air-borne disease transmission, and emergency exits to ensure safe evacuation if needed.

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*Adoption Process and Community Involvement:*

The ultimate goal is to find every cat a loving forever home. To facilitate this, our shelter will feature an adoption center with a reception area and a digital database that showcases each cat’s profile.

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1. *Screening for Responsible Adoption:* To ensure adopters are ready for long-term pet ownership, we implement a two-week foster trial and provide counseling to prepare them for responsible pet care, reducing the likelihood of abandonment.

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2. *Fostering Education and Awareness:* Through each cat’s rescue story, documented in our database, we hope to share the unique journeys of our cats, encouraging awareness of their resilience and inspiring empathy within the community.