About

Society for the Protection of Animal Rights in Egypt (SPARE) is an organization which has been formed to cope with the wounded animals, poisoned dogs and cats and those that have been shot by the authorities as part of a seasonal eradication programme. It is run by one of the most extraordinary women in Cairo; President and Founder Amina Abaza works against all odds in extremely difficult circumstances.

SPARE a Life is a charity in Egypt which aims to inform uninformed people of all ranks, young and old, rich and poor, to feel compassion and respect towards the very animals which so often enhance their livelihood if well fed, watered and cared for.

The doors of the centre are open 24 hours a day. Any animal in need of medication and shelter will find a permanent home at Spare. No animal is ever put down unless it needs to be put out of its misery and all rescued animals are neutered and spayed upon arrival.

SPARE also developed as an animal advocacy organization, and now its members work on issues related to animal welfare in all of Egypt, including:

  • fighting to improve conditions at the Cairo zoo
  • working to stop the growing “private zoos” that are the latest fashion in Egypt
  • campaigning to get the government to stop its own cruel idea of animal control, which is poisoning and shooting
  • lobbying for the passage of the new Animal Protection Law, which SPARE played a role in drafting
  • uncovering the conditions in the Egyptian slaughterhouses and pressuring the government to improve the standards there
  • educating the public on animal kindness and specifically on the need to spay and neuter companion animals

Unfortunately, there is a long list of animal welfare problems in Egypt, and we are tackling them as quickly and efficiently as we can. But there will always be the need for more participants in our work. If you want to report an animal welfare concern, please email SPARE President Amina Abaza (amina@sparealife.org) and if you are willing to lead the charge on a welfare campaigns, please let us know.

History

When Amina Abaza was an eight-year old girl she befriended a stray dog. The dog waited every morning at Amina’s school bus stop with her, and often, Amina packed treats for the next time they met. Greeting the dog was part of her morning ritual.

Amina lived in Cairo, Egypt, with Muslim parents who taught her to respect all living beings. They would not let her bring a pet inside, so instead she contented herself just to look forward every day to seeing her dog at the bus stop. Then one day, the dog didn’t come...

She had been shot by the police.

This was one of the defining moments that led to the founding of SPARE (Society for the Protection of Animal Rights in Egypt), the first animal protection charity in Egypt, which is now pioneering change for all animals in this challenging region of the world.

Amina grew up to be a successful woman, becoming the chief translator for Egyptian Satellite TV, a position she still holds today. However, her love for animals inspired her to start rescuing animals from the streets of her home town, and welcome them both into her home as well as others.

In fact it was fate (well, a dog actually) which brought Amina and her soon to be husband together. Faced with the challenge of finding a home for an abused Great Dane, a mysterious ‘perfect adopter’ with ‘beautiful eyes’ emerged. Little did Amina know that this man with a kind heart was going to become her life partner and greatest ally. Amina’s husband - Raouf Mishriki - was a key factor in the establishment of SPARE, which without him would never have come to pass.

Raouf helped Amina both morally and financially in the (fledgling/beginning) days of SPARE, and together, they rented a plot of land 20 minutes outside of Cairo where stray animals could find refuge.

The lifelong dream of Amina became a reality when - in September 2001 - SPARE became the first registered charity for the protection of all Egyptian animals, in a country where there are still no effective laws to protect animals.

Today SPARE houses nearly 100 stray dogs, 50 cats, and 19 donkeys, as well as having a spay and neuter clinic for strays. They provide a free veterinary service to the local community. SPARE advocates better conditions at the Cairo Zoo, an end to poisoning and shooting stray dogs, and an improvement in conditions at slaughterhouses. Perhaps most importantly, SPARE members appear on Egyptian television to raise awareness about the importance of kindness to animals.

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