Kissing Sharks? Sarah Oxley Heaney - PhD Candidate
Fighting for Community Animals
REFRAMING 'STREET ANIMALS' IN SAUDI ARABIA AS COMMUNITY MEMBERS
During my 17 years in Saudi Arabia, I established a volunteer group for the rescue of street-living non-animals in need. This group has now become a legal charity, and our primary mission is to assist injured and abandoned street-living animals. As an anthrozoologist, I've begun writing about the plight of the, primarily, cats and dogs; the witnessing of rescuers, and advocating for a shift in perception regarding ‘street-living animals.’ I aim to promote the reframing of 'street-living animals' as non-human animal neighbours worthy of respect, care and a life free of suffering.
2024
 László Borbála – Lovas Kiss Antal (Eds.) (2024): Studies on the Human-Animal Relationship. Anthrozoo |
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2023
 Arabian feline (Felis silvestris catus) lives: Insights into abandonment2023 - This paper explores feline (Felis silvestris catus) - human (Homo sapiens) relationships in Saudi Arabia through the lens of cat abandonment. Although sections of Saudi Arabian society care for, love, and accept cats as treasured family members, cats’ lives are also commonly viewed as insignificant, freely traded as commodities. When the cat-human bond breaks, cats are often discarded onto the streets without consequences for the abandoner. |
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Conference Presentations
 Perspectives on cat (Felis silvestrus catus) Abandonment in Saudi Arabia4 October 2023 -This presentation explores street-living feline welfare in Saudi Arabia. While many felines in Saudi Arabia are in human homes, a great number of cats live in the streets. This presentation frames the effects upon cats living and being abandoned on the streets, through the Five Animal Welfare Needs. Presented at the 2nd International Anthrozoology Conference - “Perspectives of the Human-Animal Relationship” https://antrozoologiakonf.wordpress.com/english-2/ on 4th October 2023. |  Saudi Arabian Landscape of Feline Lives: Reducing Domestic Cat Abandonment2021 - Domestic cats are ubiquitous in Saudi Arabia (KSA). They live in the streets, in homes, are bred, frequently traded and often abandoned. Many do not thrive in the streets, simply survive and many perish once abandoned. As Saudi Arabia opens its doors to tourism and social media gives a platform to sellers, rescuers and relinquishers alike, the domestic cat landscape in KSA is receiving increased attention from various stakeholders. Labouring in the Saudi Arabian rescue world for .... |  Do you know me? CATegorising Saudi Arabia's Abandoned Cats - Saudi Arabian Landscape of Feline Lives2021 - Much academic literature looks at domestic cats outside home environments through an anthropocentric lens, as objects categorised for human control purposes. Such literature tends to categorise cats based on physical location or ownership status. This paper, in line with EASE aim iii attempts to consider the perspective of cats through their experiences as street-living cats. The article questions how human-constructed cat categories fail to consider cat biographies, personalities, ... |
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Podcasts
 Episode 25: Cat Abandonment in Saudi ArabiaEpisode 25 : The Anthrozoology Podcast: Cat Abandonment in Saudi Arabia In this episode, we'll be delving into a pressing and often overlooked concern as we engage in a discussion with Sarah, one of our podcast hosts. Sarah's unique perspective emerges from her research into the pervasive issue of cat abandonment in Saudi Arabia. Notably, she's also an integral member of a small yet dedicated rescue team operating within a city in the country. |
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 Episode 26 : Abandoned Cats in Saudi Arabia Pt2In this episode, Mohammed from Saudi Arabia's Tabuk Paws joins us to share his experiences surrounding the issue of cat abandonment in Saudi Arabia. This episode is the second in a series that will explore the dimensions of cat abandonment in Saudi Arabia. Mohammed has been working with Sarah, one of our podcast hosts for 10 years, and together they, with other volunteers, are trying to bring changes to improve the lives of street-living felines. |
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Saudi Arabian Feline Lives
(based on MA Anthrozoology research and autoethnography)
Mikey - an ex street-living, community cat from Saudi Arabia
Domestic cats are a ubiquitous presence in Saudi Arabia (KSA), inhabiting the streets and homes, being bred, traded, and unfortunately, often abandoned. Many struggle to thrive in the harsh street environment, merely surviving, and a significant number perish once abandoned. With Saudi Arabia's increasing openness to tourism and the amplifying impact of social media, the domestic cat landscape in KSA has become a focal point for various stakeholders.
Having dedicated seventeen years to the Saudi Arabian rescue community and establishing one of the first legal animal welfare charities in KSA, I have gained a unique perspective on the reasons behind cat relinquishment and abandonment in the region.
My MA Anthrozoology dissertation research presents findings upon which strategies aimed at enhancing the feline landscape for all stakeholders can be based, with a particular focus on the marginalized feline population. I aspire to make a positive impact on the lives of both cats and humans in Saudi Arabia by sharing my findings. My goal is to initiate constructive dialogues with stakeholders invested in the welfare of Saudi Arabian cats, with the ultimate aim of significantly and ethically improving the lives of street-living cats, irrespective of their origins.