It is a very nice sentiment that the strays in the Middle East are so well looked after, but through my involvement with the BSPCA in Bahrain I unfortunately see the other side of the story. Whilst there ARE a large number of people who care for, feed, and assist spay-and-release programms (I am one of them) there are also a large number of people who regard the stray cats as a nuisance.

There is a large amount of cruelty here (Just this Thursday I saw a beautuful cat with three gorgeous kittens at our shelter - some youths had got hold of her and poked one of her eyes out. They were busy with the second one when a kind soul put himself in danger to rescue her. Amazingly she trusts the humans at the shelter, and will purr loudly and allow you to stroke her).

I wish I could say this is an isolated incident but it is not. There is a large amount of neglect due to ignorance, but also a large amount of deliberate cruelty. If a person is convicted of animal cruelty, the maximum sentence is 3 months OR a fine equal to approx $53 US. This is NOT a deterrant!!

Also there is a mentality that pets are disposable - a puppy or kitten is CUTE - when it grows up and the kids are no longer interested, it can be abandoned at the side of the road (the lucky ones are brought to the shelter).

I recently stopped behind a station wagon which had pulled off the road next to some waste ground. (I dont know why - I just felt compelled to stop). A man climbed out with a cardboard box turned it upsdie down, and started shaking it. I asked him what he had - he said "stupid cat - makes scratches - you go away now". At this point a scrawny looking kitten fell out of the box and ran under his car. I offered to buy the cat from him - offering him whatever money I had on me. At this point three other men climbed out the car and made it very clear that I should mind my own business! I saw the kitten run into a pile of old car tyres, and I circled the block until the men had gone, then went back to look for the cat, but I couldn't find it.

I am NOT saying this applies to everyone, nor is everyone cruel to animals, but unfortunately, the four words which I head EVERY day pretty much sum up the attitude here "IT'S ONLY AN ANIMAL".

It's up to those of us who love animals to do whatever we can, and try not to be overwhelmed by the size of the problem..... if you "only" make a difference to one animal, you have done more than most people!