Most people will agree: pets are extremely lovable, and provide their owners and families with a lot of love. Pets tend to make a happy home. But while pets are often lavished with attention, the streets of Cairo are awash with homeless dogs and cats that barely get a second look. Mindful of this situation, a group of dedicated individuals in the capital is working hard and devoting countless hours in order to provide such strays with food, shelter, and care. The Egyptian Society for Mercy to Animals (ESMA) is an animal welfare group affiliated with animal rights groups around the world. Founded by Bahra Fahmy, Noha El Sharkawi, Professor Kristen Stilt, Susie Nassar and Mona Khalil in 1997, the organization was created in order to address the lack of attention to mistreated, abandoned, and abused animals in Cairo, as well as providing them with a safe haven where they can receive sustenance and protection. ESMA also actively works to create a public awareness of this problem and educate children in Egypt about what they can do. According to volunteer Mohamed Sirag, ESMA's primary mission is ".helping the suffering animals, raising awareness of animal rights in Egypt, finding homes for pets, helping handicapped, old and abused animals. He is also careful to mention that "educating children to help create an animal friendly-society is necessary in order to create better conditions for animals not just in the home, but in circuses and zoos as well. ESMA's animal shelter is home to a number of abandoned and abused dogs and cats that have or are currently being nursed back to health by its founders and volunteers. Many of the animals are brought to the shelter by the volunteers themselves, though ESMA also responds to emergency calls that report endangered animals in need of rescuing. In addition to adoption services, "We provide vaccinations, sterilization operations and medical care say Sirag. Most importantly, ESMA is a "no kill center , which means that euthanasia is prohibited. All animals are given all necessary procedures in order to save their lives and ensure a good quality of life even if they are permanently handicapped. One quick visit to their online website and you will be ready to adopt, be a foster parent or volunteer for the adorable animals. The organization's website contains two links that provide full listings of all available cats and dogs up for adoption, along with their adoption status, age, and biography. Currently ESMA has 140 dogs and 78 cats up for adoption. A special section entitled "Special Cases also allows you to donate to particular dogs or cats that require extensive medical treatment. ESMA is always looking for help in various forms. Financial donations are very much appreciated and really go a long way, and can easily be made with just a click of a button on their website. Additional information about donating can be found on their website, and examples and proof for the work that they are able to accomplish by community donations is available to view. ESMA is also keen to find more volunteers willing to offer their time to help feed, care for, and play with the animals in the shelter. There is an option to become a 'foster parent' to animals awaiting adoption, and with some animals adopted by individuals outside Egypt, EMSA sometimes has the need for 'flight parents' to accompany animals overseas to their new owners. If anyone is looking for a canine or feline addition to their homes, look no further. ESMA is a charitable organization that has a number of cute and cuddly animals to choose from and make a new member of any family. - For more information, please visit the EMSA website: www.esmaegypt.org
