A Sanctuary of Hope for Saudi Arabia’s Stray Cats
Across Saudi Arabia—in Mecca, Medina, Jeddah, and Riyadh—countless stray cats suffer on the streets without food, shelter, or medical care. Every day, they face extreme heat, hunger, and danger.
My name is Shazia and I am the founder of the Madinah Cats Foundation. I work as a solo rescuer, supported by a small team in Holland, the UK and the USA who help me coordinate rescues and manage our mission.
This journey began in Medina, where I witnessed the heartbreaking suffering of kittens outside the hotels during my visits for Umrah. I tried to save them, but many disappeared and their memory has never left me. Those experiences changed my life and inspired me to take action.
How We Rescue
Most of our rescues start with pilgrims or locals who find sick or injured cats on the streets of Mecca, Medina, Jeddah, or Riyadh. When they contact us, we guide them step by step to bring the cat to the vet. Once the cats have received medical treatment and are strong enough, we arrange their transport to a sanctuary in Riyadh, where we collaborate with an amazing partner who provides them with long-term safety and care.
The Riyadh Sanctuary
At the sanctuary, cats are given the chance to live in peace and dignity:
• Cats rescued from the streets of Mecca, Medina, Jeddah, and Riyadh
• Kittens in need of round-the-clock care
• Disabled cats who cannot survive outside
• Cats recovering from surgeries and illnesses
• Elderly cats who deserve to live their final years in comfort
But even at the sanctuary, the work doesn’t end. Cats sometimes fall sick again and require ongoing veterinary care. Vet bills, food, and foster costs remain a daily responsibility that we cannot manage without support.
Our Mission
• Cover vet bills for treatments, vaccinations, and surgeries
• Ensure daily food, litter, and clean water for all sanctuary cats
• Provide safe foster care and shelter for rescued cats from across the country
• Transport cats safely from the streets into the sanctuary
Our immediate goal is to cover the upcoming month’s foster costs, vet bills, and food bills for the Riyadh sanctuary. Every donation helps us pay another vet invoice, buy another bag of food or litter, or save another cat from the streets.
We believe in full transparency. All donations go directly towards the cats needs and we regularly share updates on Instagram, TikTok, and our website so you can see the impact of your support.
By helping us, you are not only saving the most vulnerable cats from Mecca, Medina, Jeddah, and Riyadh—you are creating a culture of compassion and mercy. Even a small donation can feed a cat for several days or cover a lifesaving treatment.
Please join us in keeping the Riyadh sanctuary alive. Every life saved is a step closer to mercy, compassion and hope.
Organizer
Madinah Cats
Organizer