With reporting by Nada Badawi

The Qatar Animal Welfare Society (QAWS) is in urgent need of foster homes for its dogs following serious flooding at its site in Muaither.

In an appeal on its Facebook page, QAWS has asked for anyone with a “free bathroom” to come and take one of the center’s dogs home.

“They are cold, wet and we are three feet underwater,” the post said.

Heavy rain today has caused flooding across Qatar, including at several malls, on the roads and in some homes.

Speaking to Doha News, Kelly Allen, board member at QAWS, said that volunteers had spent the afternoon removing all of the center’s animals from their buildings.

“Everything is ruined; the food, blankets, towels, everything” she said, adding that there had also been a “small fire” on site after water got into some electrics.

Allen said that QAWS is now urgently seeking foster homes for its dogs for “at least a week”, as well as dog food, blankets and towels.

The society also needs to find someone with a pump who can help remove the water, she added.

At risk of drowning

Earlier in the day, the center asked for volunteers to come to help rescue its animals, which staff said were at risk of drowning.

URGENT URGENT EMERGENCY
QAWS IS FLOODED – ANIMALS AT RISK OF DROWNING
HELP NEEDED TO RESCUE THEM
FOSTERS URGENTLY… https://t.co/QEkoVO9r3g

— QAWS (@QAWSQATAR) November 26, 2016

Anyone wishing to help should just turn up at the QAWS site, Allen said:

“We do appreciate everyone’s support, there are hundreds of people down here, but we just need more people to come so that they can take them for at least a week.

The dogs are fine, but a lot of them are cold and wet, they just need some warmth and food for now.”

A map showing the location of the center can be found here.

Potential fosterers can also contact QAWS via Facebook.

QAWS was founded in 2003. It provides a home for unwanted animals and facilitates adoptions and fostering of pets in Qatar.

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