![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/D2TSA5S6ZNHSRP2ERAJ25U2GTA.jpg?smart=true&auth=d51f39d1af7841230f9343659c24842c2b09ab1cbe94816cadb3ed791bd3fca9&width=400&height=225)
'Expo City Dubai always hopes to lead by example and we’d love to see our initiative implemented in other areas,' says Sabouneh
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NZJ6JTRSDBC4PFKD365WOX7NA4.jpg?smart=true&auth=3da7284bea7c61d2197f1d4b57994ca24d1d94045b1f7c2d8abd2fa8c659d42e&width=400&height=225)
Expo City Dubai has recently added sanctuaries and small houses for the stray cats. All photos: Antonie Robertson/The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PCWGW7S5ERBSPMCVDB6CTRDUWQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=7e85ab55bc4a78ae4fbd0a7c1d9e323935d7965d5e11636c82179f91cc8653c4&width=400&height=225)
Faida Sabouneh with a small kitten on-site
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/64AM3VY2M5FXZPVJB4MNXKNCCA.jpg?smart=true&auth=70a4d5754f488539f8e6963587c585fb1421dd3c4e4ffc066972ce794604153c&width=400&height=225)
Food, water and cat beds are provided by Expo City Dubai
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JKXZWAPQ55A67JJ5ECYMLA7Q6M.jpg?smart=true&auth=77329da687b00d9de250a73421a5364a5b2000adabd62d633486291522709973&width=400&height=225)
The programme is in line with Dubai Expo City's sustainability initiative that includes animal welfare
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YI55EZHO5JDTVBUEZVTH2M72A4.jpg?smart=true&auth=964c279397278cdfc828f445a6744ab1180a8026f6e89e3d4cd40ac0714ba918&width=400&height=225)
Cats are also spayed and neutered
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IOHXPXJOTJAEVKHTZEC5CRIFNU.jpg?smart=true&auth=b7175762c6e5236cc670c34da4e16b0452e490be2e1b69aca7344fcdadfe053c&width=400&height=225)
There are also feeding stations around the area
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FG3RJJDZ5VAGNOGD5JZEPE7BN4.jpg?smart=true&auth=7f67fa0116983904d2d21442aa12f9dfdf435dd51f3b5e0eb17a26cad6915667&width=400&height=225)
There are currently about 80 stray cats and kittens in the district
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LT5ZAMBJKRHJBN6Q2CMYQZCYAY.jpg?smart=true&auth=f8924a1b93bd977339c6db5f5a28d6995e1253423a64f1dd072856b4ca50bc00&width=400&height=225)
Sabouneh says the public can help by spreading awareness about animal welfare
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/D2TSA5S6ZNHSRP2ERAJ25U2GTA.jpg?smart=true&auth=d51f39d1af7841230f9343659c24842c2b09ab1cbe94816cadb3ed791bd3fca9&width=400&height=225)
'Expo City Dubai always hopes to lead by example and we’d love to see our initiative implemented in other areas,' says Sabouneh
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NZJ6JTRSDBC4PFKD365WOX7NA4.jpg?smart=true&auth=3da7284bea7c61d2197f1d4b57994ca24d1d94045b1f7c2d8abd2fa8c659d42e&width=400&height=225)
Expo City Dubai has recently added sanctuaries and small houses for the stray cats. All photos: Antonie Robertson/The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PCWGW7S5ERBSPMCVDB6CTRDUWQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=7e85ab55bc4a78ae4fbd0a7c1d9e323935d7965d5e11636c82179f91cc8653c4&width=400&height=225)
Faida Sabouneh with a small kitten on-site
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/64AM3VY2M5FXZPVJB4MNXKNCCA.jpg?smart=true&auth=70a4d5754f488539f8e6963587c585fb1421dd3c4e4ffc066972ce794604153c&width=400&height=225)
Food, water and cat beds are provided by Expo City Dubai
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JKXZWAPQ55A67JJ5ECYMLA7Q6M.jpg?smart=true&auth=77329da687b00d9de250a73421a5364a5b2000adabd62d633486291522709973&width=400&height=225)
The programme is in line with Dubai Expo City's sustainability initiative that includes animal welfare
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YI55EZHO5JDTVBUEZVTH2M72A4.jpg?smart=true&auth=964c279397278cdfc828f445a6744ab1180a8026f6e89e3d4cd40ac0714ba918&width=400&height=225)
Cats are also spayed and neutered
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IOHXPXJOTJAEVKHTZEC5CRIFNU.jpg?smart=true&auth=b7175762c6e5236cc670c34da4e16b0452e490be2e1b69aca7344fcdadfe053c&width=400&height=225)
There are also feeding stations around the area
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FG3RJJDZ5VAGNOGD5JZEPE7BN4.jpg?smart=true&auth=7f67fa0116983904d2d21442aa12f9dfdf435dd51f3b5e0eb17a26cad6915667&width=400&height=225)
There are currently about 80 stray cats and kittens in the district
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LT5ZAMBJKRHJBN6Q2CMYQZCYAY.jpg?smart=true&auth=f8924a1b93bd977339c6db5f5a28d6995e1253423a64f1dd072856b4ca50bc00&width=400&height=225)
Sabouneh says the public can help by spreading awareness about animal welfare
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/D2TSA5S6ZNHSRP2ERAJ25U2GTA.jpg?smart=true&auth=d51f39d1af7841230f9343659c24842c2b09ab1cbe94816cadb3ed791bd3fca9&width=400&height=225)
'Expo City Dubai always hopes to lead by example and we’d love to see our initiative implemented in other areas,' says Sabouneh
How Expo City Dubai became a safe haven for stray cats
A team of animal welfare volunteers in the district help with providing food, water and shelter
![Evelyn Lau](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F326930c8-426e-4292-8915-488062faf4ec.png?smart=true&auth=bf65363a4ec5524d4fde02fe884073b2948f09e3aaac804a1077fa41b77f1ecb&width=70&height=70)
Evelyn Lau
28 March, 2024
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