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Photos: Shelter in Jordan’s Aqaba takes in strays, promotes welfare awareness
According to an assessment of the treatment of stray dogs and cats in Jordan, the country’s stray populations have caused various issues, including traffic accidents, which have led to responses by authorities that make use of ineffective and inhumane methods including systematic poisoning or shootings in an attempt at culling the presence of these animals left out in the country’s cities. In the coastal city of Aqaba, the Al Rabee shelter for dogs run by Rodica Athamneh, a Romanian woman who has lived in Jordan for over 35 years, takes in stray dogs, raising and providing for them along with holding talks with residents to raise awareness and quell stigma and fear about these animals.
Updated on: Jun 27, 2019 5:03 PM IST
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Rodica Athamneh plays with dogs in the Al Rabee Society for Nature and Animal Protection in Aqaba, Jordan. When Athamneh walks into the animal shelter she founded, dozens of dogs jump joyfully around her, almost knocking her over. (Muhammad Hamed / REUTERS)
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The shelter, Al Rabee Society for Nature and Animal protection, houses close to 400 dogs rescued from the streets of the Jordanian city. Some have been taken in because they were abused or sick, others as a result of complaints from residents frightened by the dogs’ presence in their areas. (Muhammad Hamed / REUTERS)
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Rodica Athamneh and other volunteers prepare food for the shelter’s dogs. Athamneh, who was born in Romania but has lived in Jordan for over 35 years, said she founded Al Rabee shelter in 2013 to provide a safe space for the animals. Athmaneh said there is a fear, almost a phobia of animals in Jordan --not just of dogs, but even cats -- that the shelter hopes to counter. (Muhammad Hamed / REUTERS)
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Rodica Athamneh holds a puppy in her hands while he is administered a vaccination. The shelter aims to decrease the number of strays on Aqaba’s streets, neuter them and at the same time provide them a space that allows them a comfortable life that provides safety and food. (Muhammad Hamed / REUTERS)
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Rodica Athamneh and other volunteers play with a dog at the Al Rabee Society. The shelter also works towards educating city residents about animal welfare in the hope that building awareness will help in bringing a reduction in the cases of animal abuse. (Muhammad Hamed / REUTERS)
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Dr. Corel Stoenescu, a volunteer veterinarian performs surgery on a dog in the Al Rabee shelter. In June, two vets from the Nomad Vet group visited the Al Rabee shelter to lend a hand in treating and neutering the animals. The shelter also receives occasional support from international initiatives. (Muhammad Hamed / REUTERS)
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Rodica Athamneh and another volunteer bring out post operative dogs out among the others. Most of the support the shelter receives for its functioning comes from individual donors, who can either choose to adopt an animal, or donate directly. The land for the shelter was provided by the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority. (Muhammad Hamed / REUTERS)
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Rodica Athamneh carries a dog back among others after it underwent surgery. Athamneh says she very often has to turn some of the dogs that come the shelter’s way away or let some existing residents loose, because the shelter is simply too overcrowded. (Muhammad Hamed / REUTERS)
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