Meet the Syrian woman who sells her belongings to feed the cats and dogs she shelters

2^min

Alaa Abu Draa, a Syrian animals lover living in Damascus, shelters 120 cats and 20 dogs in her house.

Her passion for pets was born ten years ago, when she found an injured cat on the street and took it home, only to discover that the animal was pregnant.

She first decided to shelter her until delivery, but ended up keeping her and her kittens for good.

Unemployed, Abu Draa used to count on her late father to help her cover the expenses involved in caring for the animals. But since he passed away over a year ago, the 28-year-old decided to sell her furniture and belongings to feed her furry friends.

When the coronavirus crisis hit Syria in 2020, people in her city started to abandon their pets. Abu Draa decided to give them shelter, too.

"I sold everything. Nothing is left. You can see, I have no furniture," she said. "I feed them chicken leftovers."

Abu Draa added that she will continue to provide her animals with shelter and food for as long as she can afford it. Running out of things to sell, she is now also relying on donations.

Meet the Syrian woman who sells her belongings to feed the cats and dogs she shelters

Breaking Headlines

Syria

Animals

Cats

Dogs

Israel army denies building wall inside Lebanon

Israel army denies building wall inside Lebanon

French president says peace 'possible' for Israel, Gaza with hostage release

French president says peace 'possible' for Israel, Gaza with hostage release

Beirut Port explosion investigation turns a corner with arrest of MV Rhosus owner

Beirut Port explosion investigation turns a corner with arrest of MV Rhosus owner

Rumors of delay: Will Lebanon's 2026 parliamentary elections be held on time?

Rumors of delay: Will Lebanon's 2026 parliamentary elections be held on time?

Meet Miss Lebanon 2025 contestants: Video

Meet Miss Lebanon 2025 contestants: Video

Series of Israeli airstrikes spark massive fire in southern Lebanon

Series of Israeli airstrikes spark massive fire in southern Lebanon

Lunar eclipse captivates Lebanon: watch the stunning video

Lunar eclipse captivates Lebanon: watch the stunning video

Israeli army accuses Hezbollah Unit 121 of assassinating Christian politician Elias Hasrouni

Israeli army accuses Hezbollah Unit 121 of assassinating Christian politician Elias Hasrouni

Central Bank of Lebanon launches precautionary measures to remove Lebanon from FATF “grey list,” tightens oversight of non-banking financial institutions

Central Bank of Lebanon launches precautionary measures to remove Lebanon from FATF “grey list,” tightens oversight of non-banking financial institutions

From Bsous to Washington's front line: Who is Michel Issa, the new US Ambassador to Lebanon?

From Bsous to Washington's front line: Who is Michel Issa, the new US Ambassador to Lebanon?

Northern front on alert: Israel adjusts strategy along Lebanon border

Northern front on alert: Israel adjusts strategy along Lebanon border

Israel army denies building wall inside Lebanon

Israel army denies building wall inside Lebanon

Ministry of Tourism announces final report of Jeita Grotto damage assessment committee: No mechanical, geological, or environmental damage recorded

Ministry of Tourism announces final report of Jeita Grotto damage assessment committee: No mechanical, geological, or environmental damage recorded

UN peacekeepers say Israel built walls inside Lebanon

UN peacekeepers say Israel built walls inside Lebanon

Lebanese abroad: Over 55,000 voters registered ahead of parliamentary elections, France leads

Lebanese abroad: Over 55,000 voters registered ahead of parliamentary elections, France leads