News
Egypt: Egyptian Mau Cats Find Homes Around the World
October 02, 2008, 4:24PM MT
By Tanya Mahrous
Rescue Organization in Cairo Focuses on Unique Cat Breed
Rescue Organization in Cairo Focuses on Unique Cat Breed
By Tanya Mahrous, Best Friends Network Volunteer Writer
For Momo, every day brings new hope that he will find his forever home. Rescued from the busy streets of Cairo by a Canadian ex-pat, Momo is one of the lucky ones. He knows his siblings weren’t so lucky, but he can’t dwell on this fact. For now, this 7-year old Egyptian Mau cat spends his time snuggling with his foster family in Cairo, hoping that his new family will see his picture and fall in love with him.
Momo is a bronze-colored Egyptian Mau cat, a breed that can be traced back to Ancient Egypt. It is commonly believed that Egyptian Mau cats are the only naturally occurring small spotted cat in the world – making them very unique. Their randomly occurring spots resemble those found on wild cats, but they are truly a domesticated breed. Known to be highly intelligent, Mau cats have a tendency to have “musical voices” and are very loyal to their families.
While their spots and the distinct “M” shape above their eyes once made them highly regarded in Pharonic times, their status has fallen significantly. For the most part, they are now viewed as feral together with other street cats, a nuisance to people and society. Their lives are hard and short and they receive very little, if any, respect from the majority of the Egyptian people.
About EMRO
Momo is lounging in his foster home thanks to the volunteers of the Egyptian Mau Rescue Organization (EMRO) in Cairo. Founded in 2004 as a non-profit organization, their mission is to help protect and save these beautiful cats. The group has several goals, including finding forever homes for the adoptable cats, raising awareness about the breed - in Egypt and around the world - and educating Egyptians about the Mau breed being national treasures. A clinic in the Mokattam area of Cairo has opened and is used to treat and house the cats awaiting adoption. Veterinary services for small animals within the local area are also offered.
This dedicated group of volunteers hopes to elevate the status of the Mau cats in their home country and teach people how to be more humane to this amazing, ancient breed.
Love Around the World
For now, Momo waits for a permanent home where he can be the “big puddle of love” that his foster mom says he is. He is hopeful he will have the same success as other EMRO cats, which are now living the good life in the United States, Germany and South Africa.
Another success story is in the making for five Mau cats rescued by EMRO. Their new homes await them in the United Kingdom, but due to English quarantine laws, they will be spending their first 6 months in France before making it to their new home. Not bad for cats that started their lives on the difficult streets of Cairo, trying to survive traffic, scrounging for food and being disrespected by the public
While they didn’t need a passport to travel, these lucky cats and others adopted out by EMRO have found their forever homes on the other side of the world.
For more information about Momo, visit him here and scroll down until you see his information.
How You Can Help
The following ways to help are listed on the EMRO website at Egyptian Mau Rescue Organization
• Become a member of the EMRO organization
• Donate money to the sanctuary or general fund. Tax deduction receipts available upon request
• Sponsor a sanctuary cat(s) at $15 US a month each
• Include our link on your own website or blog
• Adopt an Egyptian Mau cat
• Volunteer in Egypt with our group
• Become an escort for a cat awaiting adoption to a country outside of Egypt
• Help with cat food donations or veterinary supplies
Contact EMRO directly at info@emaurescue.org
Photos: Provided by EMRO
• Top photo: Bolous, an Egyptian Mau cat rescued by EMRO
• Second photo: Momo, an Egyptian Mau cat in foster care, waiting for his new home
• Third photo: Two Egyptian Mau kittens rescued by EMRO