Pet Souq
Time Out finds out what can be done about Doha’s Pet Souq
Vicki Halpin holds up a tiny kitten, so small the ball of fluff barely fills her palm. The kitten doesn’t stir when it’s touched—too weak to even lift its head. It’s a little after 6pm in the Pet Souq portion of Souq Waqif, and Vicki says by this time tomorrow, the kitten will probably be dead.
I ask the shop keeper how much the kitten costs.
QR1,500’ he tells me. ‘But, because it’s sick, QR1000’.
She replaces the kitten in its cage, what looks like a wire bottomed bird cage, next to a small tray with a smear of what looks—and smells—like spoiled yogurt. His dinner.
‘It’s the same [as slumlords]. They make money trading the souls of animals,’ says Halpin. ‘I come down probably on a weekly basis. I don’t always have time to go and check all the animals, but usually when I’m down here I go to all the stores, look at the animals, tell them to give water to those that don’t have it,’ she says as we walk through the row of shops and cages. ‘If one animal gets water for one day you’ve done good for that day.’
Read more at:
http://www.timeoutdoha.com/aroundtown/features/32403-pet-souq-in-doha
ok, let's see what happens.
Did you read the article? It's not just full of expats: the bulk of it is with a Qatari who is working hard with other Qataris to change things! And anyway, I don't think who wrote it or where it's published negates the point. Any press, especially in Qatar, is good.
Just like this thread..look who is posting ...the people who need to change their attitude towards animals? I think not.
quertiness, the point is, who is reading the mag it was published in? The people who have the power to change things? I think not. That's what I was getting at.
This is a great link of the rights of animals from an Islamic perspective from Open Paws in Saudi
Souq Wagif's treatment of animals is Haram
http://www.openpaws.org/fly/rights_of_animals.pdf
Nomerci-- Sorry? What are you getting at? 'WHo posted it?' 'Where it was published?' I'm not taking your point
Is a den of aniquity and needs to be majorly overhauled.
Someone with Wasta is needed, as the Souq is currently run by the Diwan's PEO, which means it has it's own wasta.
As I've said before, I do not believe that closing the souq is the answer.
The only way forward is for the authorities to enact and enforce legislation to make the environment better for the animals. Articles like this do help spread awareness and hopefully the good work carried out by the ladies will lead to people in power realising the plight of not just the animals, but the workers at the souq.
Brokos why not? I have rescued many cats and brought them to full health and never charged anyone any money.
what you are doing is Haram and just as bad as the vendors at souq wagif.
Get your cats sterlized and be responsible.
Isn't it always?
Tink, it only takes one person with enough clout to put their foot down.
Look at how many, what kind of posts this thread will get. Look at who is posting. That is how important the issue is to most people.
And of course where it was published.
I say it don't look so good.
I have home breed kittens for sale, the are male and very beautiful. I need to put them to a good family that know the value of animals not just to give it out free.
Drop me a note if you are intrested to see the pictures.
Thanks
how about chicken ,goats....or sheeps...............which we eat alomost everyday.........does same sympathy applies for them also.........
I stopped taking my daughter there because she always burst into tears at the way the animals are treated.
It's positively criminal not to even give WATER! How much is THAT going to cost??
I agree, deedee ... I would also not "reward" those callous monsters by paying 500. Let them learn how to keep their animals (merchandise!) alive for longer!
Pay them 500 and they will bring in 10 more kittens to abuse. Articles like this bring needed attention to this problem. Every person reading this will think twice now about buying an animal from the souq. Hopefully people will begin to pay attention, including the authorities, and either stop the selling of animals there, or force regulations that ensure the well being of the animals.
Closing your eyes is just as bad as being the one doing the abuse.
Negotiate more and Pay 500.00 and save the cat ... All this long articles will not bring any change
Do something practical or close your eyes , as simple as that ..