In a country with one of the largest populations, Pakistan’s progress in animal awareness and care may surprise you—it’s still in its early stages. However, with emerging activists like Adeela Haq leading the way, there’s hope for change. Adeela Haq is the founder of ‘The Crazy Cats,’ Pakistan’s largest cat shelter, and she’s driving progress forward. Through a comprehensive Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release program, the shelter provides a safe haven for over 230 cats and has rescued over 300 since its inception. The shelter’s mission is clear: to rescue and rehabilitate abandoned, abused, or neglected cats from various regions of Pakistan. In an interview with Social Diary, Adeela Haq discussed the project’s vision, which includes launching awareness campaigns to educate the public about animal welfare and the significance of pet adoption. To learn more about this inspiring initiative, read on.
SD: What was the vision behind starting The Crazy Cats?
Adeela: Animals in Pakistan are abused and neglected, there aren’t any proper shelters to take care of injured/sick animals in Pakistan. We aim to be at the forefront of animal welfare in Pakistan, not only by providing a haven for cats but also by actively engaging in educational initiatives.
SD: As a non-profit shelter, what were the major setbacks you had to face while setting it up?
Adeela: Backed by SA Gardens, our project thrives with their support, catering to all our basic needs. Yet, our greatest hurdle lies in gaining societal acceptance. In Pakistan, animal awareness remains strikingly low, with many failing to recognize animals as sentient beings.
SD: From how many felines did you start and how many are you sheltering now?
Adeela: We began with 20 cats, and now, Alhamdulillah, we care for over 250 cats. Additionally, we’ve assisted with over 1500 cases throughout the years.
SD: How do you decide on what cats you will be sheltering?
Adeela: We exclusively shelter sick or injured cats. Healthy felines thrive outdoors when properly fed and cared for. Hoarding healthy cats would detract from our ability to aid those truly in need.
SD: How are you able to cover the costs of food, medicine, and shelter?
Adeela: SA Gardens has been our steadfast supporter for 2.5 years, furnishing everything we need. However, with inflation impacting our resources, we’ve begun accepting donations. Our aim? To expand our shelter fourfold. Currently, our project is 80% funded by SA Gardens and 20% by generous donations.
SD: Do you aim at creating awareness campaigns regarding helping cats in need?
Adeela: Absolutely! We actively engage in awareness campaigns, pet galas, school visits, and utilize social media to spread awareness far and wide.
SD: In which city is your shelter located and do you have plans to expand it further?
Adeela: Presently, we operate within SA Gardens, located in Kala Shah Kaku, Lahore. Our vision includes expanding our operations fourfold within SA Gardens before extending our reach to other cities.
SD: Do you feel support from the government might help your cause and provide more resources to expand its operations further?
Adeela: The government’s role in establishing animal rescue shelters has been lacking. We remain hopeful for a day when we witness positive change in this regard.
SD: Would you ever consider adding other types of animals to your shelter cause?
Adeela: Yes. We have started a project for dogs too.
SD: How are the rehabilitation efforts carried out?
Adeela: At our shelter, we maintain a team of 4 veterinary staff members. We operate various quarantine rooms where all cats undergo thorough care, including vaccination, deworming, flea/tick treatment, and spaying/neutering, before being transferred to our sanctuary.
SD: What more do you hope to attain in 2024?
Adeela: In 2024, we have a lineup of initiatives including spay/neuter programs, awareness drives, feeding programs, and shelter expansions. Stay tuned for more updates!
