What is International Homeless Animals Day and how can I help?

The day began in 1992 and more than 45 countries took part in it last year

It's difficult to know the exact number of homeless cats and dogs around the world. Pawan Singh / The National

When I look at my cats, I’m reminded of the life I've built in Abu Dhabi. Even more so, I find joy in knowing that I’ve also given them a new lease on their lives.

I live with a mix of felines that I have either helped rescue from the streets or have taken in after their owners were unable to keep them.

Although I know that not everyone is in the position to do the same, on International Homeless Animals Day, I hope people consider going to their local shelter or reaching out to a rescue group if they’re looking to add a furry friend to the family.

International Homeless Animals Day was established by the International Society for Animal Rights in 1992 as a way to raise awareness about this growing global problem. It falls on the third Saturday of August each year. Last year, more than 45 countries took part in it by offering spaying and neutering as well as vaccines to stray animals.

Although it’s difficult to know the exact numbers, the World Health Organisation estimates there are about 200 million stray or homeless dogs and possibly a larger number of cats that are either in shelters or on the streets.

So, while it may seem like a difficult task, there are ways that people can help with the situation. Here are some ideas:

Adopt or foster a pet

The quickest way to address animal homelessness is by visiting a shelter or rescue organisation. Adopting a pet directly helps to reduce the number of animals in shelters. If adoption isn’t an option for you, consider fostering. This provides temporary care for animals in need, giving them a safe and loving environment while they wait for a permanent home.

Be a flight buddy

For animal lovers who enjoy travelling, becoming a flight buddy is a good option. This role is particularly helpful for animals being rehomed abroad. The process is straightforward: you simply need a plane ticket and a copy of your passport. These documents are provided to a pet-relocation company or rescuer, who will handle the necessary paperwork.

As a flight buddy, your responsibilities include taking care of the animal during check-in, collecting them upon arrival (usually at the luggage pickup area) and handing them over to their new family, who will be waiting at the airport.

Sponsor the spaying and neutering of strays

Cats that are spayed or neutered will have an ear tip clipped. Charlotte Mayhew / The National

Rescue organisations often use trap-neuter-return (TNR) to control overpopulation among strays. TNR is crucial for managing stray populations effectively. To identify if a street cat has been spayed or neutered, look for a tipped ear, which will appear as a noticeable cut on the edge of the ear.

Dogs can also be part of TNR programmes, but they don’t have tipped ears. Instead, they usually have a microchip, which can often be checked at not charges at veterinary clinics.

Beyond controlling overpopulation, spaying and neutering provide significant health and behavioural benefits. These procedures reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer, prevent females from going into season, decrease the likelihood of males roaming, and can improve overall temperament.

Volunteer with rescue and welfare groups

Voluteers give their time to walk the dogs at the Stray Dog Centre in Umm Al Quwain. Leslie Pableo / The National

Rescue organisations are always on the lookout for helping hands, whether to fill up feed stations at animal colonies or simply to walk a dog. While the weather in the summer can be difficult to co-ordinate dog walking, it is worth inquiring with rescue organisations if you are still keen on doing so.

Raise Awareness

Social media is a powerful means of raising awareness. Almost all rescue organisations and shelters have Facebook or Instagram. By sharing posts or photos, you can help highlight animals needing assistance. It's also another way to easily spread word about events such as pet adoption days.

Also, the more visibility an animal gets, the greater the chance it can be helped. Sharing posts can make a significant difference. This is one of the positive aspects of social media – where a single click can help something go viral and reach a wider audience.