Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Cats and canines are set to howl with delight on Saturday at the Bahrain Animal Rescue Centre (BARC) as it stages a community Halloween event to spread awareness about the shelter and its residents.
The animal-loving centre in Hamala has organised the Halloween Howl to give their furry four-legged friends some fun while also allowing visitors to share their love with the rescues in a party-like atmosphere.
While some cats and pups are ready for their costume debuts, organisers are also seeking more donations for them to play dress-up.
“For the first time in BARC’s history, we are having a Halloween Howl costume party for our animals,” said Muna Aldaaysi, a 29-year-old BARC volunteer team leader from A’ali.
“We have reached out to the community to donate their pets’ old costumes, which we will use to dress up our residents. Visitors will also be able to take pictures with our animals.
“Our main goal is to build awareness around our cause. Unfortunately, not many people know about us or the work we do. Many visitors stumble upon us accidentally, so it is critical to spread the word and put ourselves out there for the sake of the animals.
“With more than 600 animals and only a handful of volunteers and regular donors, like any shelter around the world, we do struggle sometimes. We call upon the community to lend a helping hand and it’s always nice to make it fun for our community as well as the animals.
“These beautiful animals count on us to be their voice, their providers, their guardian angels and we cannot do any of this without you.”
BARC also hopes this party-like atmosphere may connect the animals with potential adopters, whether in person or through the power of social media, because their mission will always remain the same ... to help strays find ‘fur-ever’ homes.
“Our aim is to adopt as many of our resident animals out and to send them off to families that will love, cherish and protect them,” added Muna. “We believe all animals deserve a second chance. Our strays did not choose to be born on the street. If they had a choice, wouldn’t you think they would choose a safe, comfortable home where they do not have to constantly stay alert to detect danger and protect themselves and their young? A home where they do not have to dig through rubbish or travel vast distances looking for food?
“You can be a hero in our mission and spread the word.
“Tell people about BARC; tell them that we have the most loving, loyal, affectionate companion animals that all deserve to be doted on and cherished.
“Tell people about our struggles and the ways in which they can help or even just take a picture of the best dressed dog or cat on the day and post it! This picture may reach someone looking to adopt, and just like that, you have helped an animal leave the shelter to its forever home where he or she will be showered with all the love and care that they deserve.
“By doing so, we are also making space at the shelter and freeing up resources so that we can continue to help those that are still on the streets and need our intervention.”
The ‘spooktacular’ show will run from 10am to 2pm. Visitors are encouraged to bring food donations.
“Please remember that we rely entirely on donations and our biggest expense is dog and cat dry food,” said Muna.
“No contribution is too small, it’s similar to a pebble dropped into water; it will have a ripple effect that extends far beyond what you had originally expected. So donate, even if you feel it’s not much – because it means the world to us and to our animals.”
For details, visit @bahrainanimalrescuecentre on Instagram.
