A compassionate Dubai resident steps in to aid vulnerable animals left without refuge during heavy rainfall, providing care, shelter, and support to creatures in need, ensuring their safety and wellbeing amid challenging weather conditions.
Dubai Resident Rescues Vulnerable Animals Struggling for Shelter During Rain.
As heavy rain and powerful winds swept through parts of the UAE, animal rescuer Chiku Singh spent her days and nights navigating streets, construction zones, and open plots across Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi, working to protect vulnerable animals from the harsh conditions. Moving from one location to another, she raised feeding bowls above waterlogged ground, secured food supplies, and reinforced makeshift shelters that had been weakened or damaged by the weather. Her efforts were aimed at preventing animals from being left exposed, hungry, or without safe refuge as storms intensified.
Over the course of the past week, Singh explained that her routine changed dramatically. After finishing her regular workday, she dedicated her evenings to checking known feeding points and animal shelters spread across several areas. With floodwaters rising and winds tearing through temporary structures, she focused on stabilising feeding stations and strengthening shelters to help stray cats and other animals survive the extreme conditions. In many cases, she had to act quickly, as food was being washed away and shelters were at risk of collapsing entirely.
Singh, a British expatriate who has lived in Dubai for decades, described severe weather as one of the most dangerous situations for animals living on the streets. She explained that storms can instantly turn familiar and relatively safe environments into life-threatening scenarios. Feeding areas can become submerged, leaving animals without access to food, while shelters constructed from lightweight materials can be destroyed by wind or soaked through by rain. For young animals, particularly kittens, exposure to cold and moisture can be fatal in a very short time, as they lose body heat rapidly. Older animals or those already suffering from illness face even greater risks when they are forced to endure wet, cold conditions without protection.
Having been involved in community-based animal rescue and welfare efforts for more than 25 years, Singh has witnessed first-hand how extreme weather exposes the fragility of animals living outdoors. She noted that while strays often adapt to daily challenges, sudden changes in weather dramatically reduce their chances of survival. What may appear to be manageable conditions on dry days can quickly turn into a crisis when rain and wind strip animals of shelter, warmth, and access to food.
Singh added that moments like these highlight the importance of consistent support for stray animals, especially during seasonal weather events. While community feeders and rescuers work tirelessly to provide care, she emphasised that storms reveal how dependent vulnerable animals are on human intervention when conditions deteriorate. Her work during the recent weather, she said, was not just about temporary relief, but about preventing suffering and loss in situations where animals have no safe place to go.
Through her continued efforts, Singh hopes to raise awareness about the impact of extreme weather on stray animals and encourage more people to take simple but meaningful actions—such as providing elevated feeding areas or secure shelter—to help protect them when nature becomes unforgiving.
Singh pointed out that when severe weather hits, most people seek safety indoors, but animals living on the streets are left exposed with no refuge from the elements. She stressed that this reality often goes unnoticed, even though storms can quickly place outdoor animals in life-threatening situations. While homes and buildings offer protection for people, stray animals must endure the rain, wind, and cold without natural shelter unless someone intervenes.
During the recent storms, Singh’s efforts focused on making feeding and resting areas safer and more resilient. She explained that one of her first priorities was elevating food bowls above sand and waterlogged surfaces, securing them with heavy bricks to prevent them from being blown away by strong gusts. In addition, she replaced any food that had become wet with dry feed, as damp food can pose serious health risks. Prolonged exposure to moisture, especially in cold conditions, can weaken animals and increase the likelihood of illness.
Singh noted that feeding bowls placed directly on sand are particularly vulnerable during rain, as water accumulates quickly and floods the food. Consuming wet or spoiled feed, she said, can be especially harmful for animals already struggling to stay warm. These small but critical adjustments—raising bowls and keeping food dry—can significantly improve an animal’s chances of staying healthy during severe weather.
Beyond feeding stations, Singh dedicated time to improving rest and shelter areas. She reinforced existing shelters by adding waterproof coverings and layers of hay to improve insulation. She also repositioned shelter entrances to reduce exposure to wind and prevent rain from being driven inside. These modifications allow animals to sit or lie down comfortably without being directly exposed to cold air or moisture.
Singh emphasised that the shelters she uses are purpose-built insulated units rather than temporary solutions like cardboard boxes. Elevated off the ground and securely anchored, these rest houses are designed to retain body heat while keeping animals dry, offering a much safer environment during storms. She said such structures are essential for protecting animals from hypothermia and prolonged exposure.
According to Singh, many people underestimate the level of responsibility involved in caring for animals during extreme weather. Simply leaving food outside, she explained, does not address the risks posed by rain, wind, and falling temperatures. Effective care requires raised, waterproof feeding stations and shelters that are properly ventilated to prevent moisture buildup. Without these measures, animals remain vulnerable to cold, illness, and stress.
Most of the shelters Singh maintains are insulated and lined with hay to help retain warmth during storms and cooler nights. Earlier in the week, she secured and reinforced between 60 and 70 of these units. As conditions worsened, additional shelters were installed in Sharjah, bringing the total number of insulated rest houses she maintains across the UAE to approximately 83. Singh said expanding this network is essential to ensuring animals have a safe place to endure harsh weather when there is truly nowhere else for them to go.
The network of shelters and feeding points maintained by Singh spans multiple locations across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah. These include labour accommodation areas in places such as Mussafah and Al Reef, established residential neighbourhoods like Sports City, Motor City, and Tilal Al Ghaf, along with several industrial districts where stray animals are commonly found.
Singh explained that during periods of severe weather, stray animals are frequently seen gathering close to buildings, walls, or parked cars in a desperate attempt to find protection from rain and wind. According to her, these animals are acting purely on instinct as they struggle to cope with sudden and dangerous changes in their surroundings.
“They are simply trying to stay alive,” she said. “Their usual feeding areas get submerged, the ground becomes unstable, and they are forced to search for anything that offers cover. They don’t understand storms or weather patterns—they only know they need a safe place.”
Despite the ongoing unsettled conditions, Singh said that advance planning has already made a meaningful difference. She noted that many animals are now sheltered in dry, insulated spaces rather than crouching beneath vehicles, and several feeding stations have remained functional despite the heavy rain.
“Because of early preparation, there are animals who will make it through this storm,” she said. “Dry shelters were ready, food remained accessible, and risks were reduced before conditions worsened.”
She added that when extreme weather strikes, it is essential for someone to remain outdoors and vigilant, looking out for those who cannot voice their needs or seek help themselves.
