ShareKUWAIT: As temperatures drop, animal rights advocate Alina Lazaryeva called for practical measures to protect street animals during the winter, particularly cats. Many cats face illness, malnutrition, or accidents, with small kittens being especially vulnerable. “Kittens without their mothers often can’t survive even 24 hours in the cold,” said Lazaryeva, founder of Kuwait Animal Aid.
Dumping pets, a persistent issue in the country, becomes even more dangerous during this season. Cases have alarmingly increased compared to last year, Lazaryeva noted, calling the reports of abandoned animals “overwhelming.” She revealed that 10-15 cases are reported daily, but only a small fraction are rescued. “Shelters are full, leaving most of these animals on the streets, where they deteriorate quickly,” she added.
She highlighted the growing dangers facing cats, where these animals are increasingly vulnerable to deadly diseases that thrive in cooler weather. “Viruses like panleukopenia and calicivirus spread rapidly in winter, and even vaccinated cats are not fully protected due to virus mutations,” she said. “Without treatment, many die from viruses or suffer long-term consequences like necrosis or permanent disabilities.” The lack of emergency services or 24-hour veterinary care further compounds the problem. Therefore, she encouraged people to support the cases themselves whenever they can.
How to help street cats
“If you see a street cat suffering from the cold, there are things you can do. In many cases, cats with mild illnesses, like a runny nose, can actually be treated while still on the street.” She recommended that people seek over-the-counter medications, available in both human pharmacies and veterinary stores.
As for providing shelter, Lazaryeva acknowledged that while offering boxes or shelters for the cats is a good idea, it comes with some cautionary advice. “It’s important to regularly clean the shelters to prevent the spread of any virus,” she said.
Seeking warmth, many street cats find refuge in car engine compartments—a behavior that can lead to devastating consequences. “Small kittens can get trapped or injured in engines, and some even fall out onto highways,” Lazaryeva explains. She urged drivers to tap on their car hoods and check engine areas before starting vehicles.
For street cats, she stressed the importance of the Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) method to manage the street cat population. “TNR not only controls the population but also improves the health and lifespan of street animals,” Lazaryeva said. For household pets, vaccinations, booster shots, and proper sterilization are critical for their safety, she advised.
For lasting change, Lazaryeva called on the government to implement stricter animal welfare laws, including penalties for dumping and subsidized veterinary services. “Dumping should be illegal,” she said and added that discounted spaying and neutering services would significantly help rescuers and reduce the burden on shelters, because the number of animals is just way more than it can be managed by anyone.”
