Isla Thomson

Hi - thanks for visiting the Hope in Doha campaign. My name is Isla and I am running this campaign to help and support my Aunt Sheena, a British national and fellow Scot. She is currently living and working in Doha. The Middle East conflict has affected so many people, and we hope for de-escalation soon. As with all conflicts however, often animals are forgotten victims. I am fundraising for abandoned pet cats that have become innocent victims of this conflict that Sheena is personally rescuing, fostering and rehoming. Since the start of the missile attacks in the Middle East, there has been a huge spike in pet abandonment with owners fleeing the region, including from Qatar. Lack of funds, time or paperwork are often cited as the reasons for doing this, as well as pets not permitted on evacuation flights. Sheena had already been helping with rescuing and fostering cats, but the current situation has compelled her to do more as an act of compassion and decency. There are animal rescue shelters in Qatar, but they are already overwhelmed, just like independent rescuers like Sheena. With already five rescues before the missile attacks started, Sheena's rescues have now increased to 13 with Hope, the poster campaign cat, giving birth in early April. Sheena is completely self-funded and beyond her limits both in terms of space, and resource. This campaign – Hope in Doha - her first conflict rescue and first pregnant rescue too! To re-home all these cats, Sheena is working with some wonderful rescue centres in the US, as well as our personal networks. This campaign is to help raise funds to help cover the costs for the transportation to get these rescues to new homes in the USA or UK when things calm down. All costs are listed below. Also listed are the medical costs if donors would prefer their donations are spent on the care of these cats. Sheena's ultimate goal is to cover all costs, which will be around £6,000, although she is hugely appreciative of any help. If anyone would prefer to donate and help some of the abandoned pet dogs here, Sheena can pass this on on your behalf to two other rescuers that is also rescuing dogs. Just note in your comments or leave a message Thanks you for your interest and support. Isla, on behalf of Sheena About Sheena's rescues needing your help Conflict cat rescues: Hope, F, 12m Tri-colour Scottish Fold/Chinchilla Persian mix. Hope was 6 weeks pregnant when discovered in an upscale villa compound , along with her siblings. The compound security guard had been looking out for her and reached out to a fellow rescuer. Hope is extremely friendly and gave birth to three Scottish Fold kittens on 4 April. Sadly two kitten didn’t make it past the first week. Hope will be available for adoption late June, her kitten Moko late September approx. Kibou, F, 5-7yrs, White Persian. Kibou was dumped on the streets by her original owner, and was then looked after by a family who decided to leave Doha when the attacks started. The family surrendered her to Sheena two days before leaving Doha. Kibou is a very beautiful, gentle and sweet cat that really deserves a loving forever home.  Skye, F 12-18m Silver tabby Scottish Fold. REHOMED IN USA. Skye was spotted in a very built up suburb by a food delivery driver – she was hiding under his bike terrified. He moved her to his building’s basement car park and posted on social media, which Sheena was tagged on. Skye was off the streets with two days and is a super sweet and affectionate cat. Teddy, M, 7yrs, Beige Persian/British Shorthair mix. Teddy was hiding under a skip across the street when Sheena rescued Skye – he was pointed out to her by the delivery driver. Fortunately, she had a spare cage in the car, so she picked him up too. He is a very gentle and beautiful boy and looks and behaves just like a Teddy bear! He had been on the street a bit longer. He is currently with a foster. Mira (was Zohra), F 6m, Black Arabian Mau/Street cat. Mira approached Sheena as she was walking back from my metro station just before the conflict started. She was asking for help. After initial vet check-up, they were referred to a special orthopaedic vet. She had multiple issues as a result of being hit by a car, we think: Hernia, blocked colon, broken left hip, crushed right hip/pelvis. She required two major surgeries, the second is rare, complex and risky, but the vet has given her a good prognosis if successful, offering a substantially discounted cost (£1900). He is fully committed and very interested in her case. Mira would have died if her treatment had not proceeded. The conflict delayed her second "complex and rare" surgery, during which there was a missile alert - but the vet carried on, and her stay in hospital has been extended as a result - but she is doing well and now home and with a foster. Mira is extremely friendly, sweet and affectionate cat. Available for adoption. Buck, M, 18m Scottish Fold Tux. REHOMED IN USA. Buck was found by his rescuer during a weekend running club meet at a local park once the missile strikes eased off a bit. He was freshly dumped as he stayed in the same spot, was super clean, friendly, and accepting pet’s from anyone and everyone. He is named after a global coffee chain close to where he was found. Lovely boy in very good health. Existing rescues Sir Edmund (Percival Hilary), M, 2y, White Turkish Angora. REHOMED IN USA. Sheena spotted Sir Edmund following her from behind some bushes as she walked back from the metro one night. He was nervously asking for help. It was two minutes from her apartment, so she got a cage and rescued him. Sir Edmund is a very shy and beautiful cat that will need a quiet and patient home. He is currently with a foster. Available for adoption. Ailsa (F) and Craig (M) REHOMED IN USA. (4m) Scottish Fold siblings. Surrendered for adoption, Ailsa and Craig are a lovey brother and sister duo. Craig is the strongest and healthiest, but Ailsa has had a few medical issues, is on her second hospital stay and very ill. Generally, her immunity is low, but she is a fighter and is making progress. Sheena has two more siblings from this litter that are fully sponsored. About the costs I am fundraising to help Sheena with the costs of rescuing these cats because she is entirely self-funded. Please do consider supporting these cats and getting them to the forever home they deserve. The more I can raise, the more Sheena can rescue – but these cats are the immediate priority. We hope to get them to their new homes when things calm down. airspace is now open and flights are gradually startig again. We are primarily seeking support with funding their travel costs, but you can choose a donation based on the basic costs explained below: Basic Travel costs per cat USA - £230 per cat Flight: £150 ($200) (As excess baggage on a flight buddy ticket) Travel Crate:£40 Export Health Certificate: £30 Export Permit: £10 UK (discounted) – Must go cargo, final cost depends on numbers shipped – the – approx. £700 - 1000 per cat Flight/pet handler costs and export paperwork approx. £3-500 per cat Airport landing charges approx. £250 per cat RATT (rabies immunity test) £155.00 Crate: £80 Export Health Certificate: £30 Basic approx. medical costs (discounted) to get cat healthy and ready for export is £225.00 for females, £205 for males. The break down Initial vet consultation £20.00 Spay & CBC £70.00 Neuter & CBC £50.00 Vaccinations - 2 tri-cat and rabies £60 (£20 per shot) Microchipping £25 Grooming £40 basic Passport: £10 Typical additional medical costs: Ear Mite treatment £40 Course of de-worming: £30 (£10 per dose) Ringworm course of treatment: £75 Medicated bath: £20 Ultrasound: £50 Dental Extractions: £50 - £125 Hospital stays: £18 per night Basic foster costs: 10l Bag of litter £3.50 Box of 12 Felix wet food pouches £6.25 2.5kg bag of Friskies dry food £9.50 7kg bag of hills scientific kitten dry food £70 Thank you all very much!