Category Archives: Kleine Projecten

Small aid project 138 – Help cats in Saudi Arabia

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Silent Suffering in the Desert
Small Project 138 - februari 2026

In Saudi Arabia, thousands of cats live in conditions that are almost impossible to imagine.

There are no shelters, no animal protection laws, no rescue services.
Stray cats try to survive on the streets or in the desert, where temperatures rise above 45°C.

  • Geen water.
  • Geen voedsel.
  • Geen schaduw.

How it all began

My name is Astrid Westerman, and I have been a donor to Stichting Dierennood for 15 years. Through Shazia — a Dutch woman with a huge heart for animals — I learned about the immense suffering of cats in Saudi Arabia.

During a trip to Mecca and Medina, Shazia was deeply affected by the number of stray cats she encountered. In 2022, she found a starving kitten in Madinah, alone and without its mother. She tried to save him, but he ran away. When she asked the hotel reception for an animal ambulance, she was told such services simply do not exist.

The kitten was never found. But Shazia never forgot him.

Out of that grief and helplessness, Madinah Cats was born — a small foundation with a big mission.

What Madinah Cats does

With a small but dedicated team in Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands, they work tirelessly to provide:

•
Medical care for sick and injured cats
•
Sterilization programs to reduce the number of stray cats
•
Rehoming and adoption for cats who deserve a second chance
•
Expanding support to Riyadh and Jeddah
•
Future plans for rescue centers in Mecca and Medina

Their local rescuer, Hajar, performs miracles every day in Medina.

In the Netherlands, Wim and Loes help strengthen the organisation and support the mission.

They even arrange international adoptions, giving many cats a new life with loving families abroad.

Why help is urgently needed

In a country without shelters or animal protection, this small team is the difference between life and death.

Every single day. Animals have no voice. But their suffering is visible. And we can help.

Every single day. Animals have no voice. But their suffering is visible. And we can help.

 

•
Every single day.
•
Animals have no voice.
•
But their suffering is visible.
•
And we can help.

Please help

Every contribution — big or small — provides water, food, medical care, and a chance at a better life for these vulnerable animals.

Streefbedrag: 4.000 euro - Stand.: 100 euro

A huge thank‑you to all donors! We could not continue this mission without you.

23 febr. - De situatie voor de zwerfkatjes in dat bloedhete land is echt erbarmelijk slecht.... Vrijwel niemand lijkt zich daar iets aan te trekken van het erg grote dierenleed van al die kleine weerloze levende wezentjes.... Laten wij dan die geweldige Nederlandse vrouw helpen, die daar WEL wat aan wil en kan doen!

Week t/m 22 febr. - 100 euro

 

Small Project 137 – Every life counts

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Every life counts!
Klein Project 137 - januari 2026.

A shelter where every life truly matters

For ten years, Ioana Marascu and her husband Bogdan have been running a small but extraordinary shelter — a place where every life counts. Dogs, cats, donkeys, sheep, goats… more than 200 animals depend on them every single day.

What began as feeding stray animals in their neighbourhood grew into a full shelter. Over the years, they have rescued animals from the streets, from killing stations, and from owners who kept their dogs chained day and night. Many arrive injured, sick, abused, or severely neglected.

Daily care for more than 200 animals

Ioana manages most of the work behind the scenes, while Bogdan spends every day caring for the animals:

  • cleaning kennels
  • refreshing straw in winter
  • giving food and medication
  • filling water bowls
  • comforting the dogs who crowd around him for attention

The puppies jump up excitedly — they know he always takes a moment to play with them.

But his work doesn’t stop at the shelter. Every day, Bogdan drives through the surrounding area with bags of dry food, cans of wet food, and bottles of water to feed around 70 stray animals. Sick or injured animals are treated on the spot or taken back to the shelter. There is always room for one more soul in need.

Helping the dogs of the Babeni killing station

For years, Ioana and Bogdan have also supported the dogs at the nearby Babeni killing station. Bogdan feeds them and tries to help as many as he can. Many have been rescued and brought to their shelter — but increasingly, he is forced to leave dogs behind… knowing what will happen to them.

Winter makes everything harder

Bogdan also runs a special winter action: placing large barrels filled with food or straw in different locations so stray dogs can shelter from the freezing cold.
But even this is now at risk.

Everything has become more expensive:

  • food
  • veterinary treatments
  • sterilizations
  • shelter maintenance

The situation is so serious that a crisis is approaching.

They urgently need help

Donations and adoptions have dropped dramatically. Ioana and Bogdan are desperate. Debts are growing, and feeding more than 200 animals is becoming almost impossible. Some days, there simply isn’t enough food.

These animals depend entirely on them — and on us.

We cannot abandon them.

How you can help

Your support will go directly to:

  • food
  • medical care
  • winter supplies
  • shelter maintenance

100% of your donation supports this project.
Our foundation is run entirely by volunteers — no salaries, no overhead, no administrative costs.

Goal: $4,000 – Total as of 22 February: $1,420


To all our donors: thank you so much! We could not do this work without your support.

  • Week ending 26 January – $490
  • Week ending 1 February – $305
  • Week ending 8 February – $480
  • Week ending 15 February – $60
  • Week ending 22 February – $85