At Man Wa Salwa Cooperative, our work has always been rooted in solidarity, compassion, and the belief that everyone deserves access to basic necessities and support. Based in Furn El Chebbak, Beirut, we work to support individuals and families facing difficult circumstances by providing essential assistance and responding to the needs of our community. Over time, however, our understanding of care has extended beyond the people we serve to include the animals who share our surroundings and depend on the kindness of those around them.

Stray cats have gradually become an integral part of daily life at the cooperative. Every day, many of them come to us looking for food, water, and a safe place to rest. As we witnessed their presence and the challenges they faced, we realized that their needs could not be overlooked. These animals are part of our community, too, and many depend on the care they receive from people willing to help. Their vulnerability, particularly when they become sick, injured, or pregnant, made us increasingly aware of the importance of extending our support to them.

Our decision to help stray animals grew naturally from our commitment to caring for those in need. Just as we believe that no individual should be left without essential support, we believe that animals deserve compassion, protection, and the opportunity to live healthier lives. For us, helping these cats is not separate from our community work; it is another expression of the same values that guide everything we do. We believe that a compassionate community is one that recognizes vulnerability wherever it exists and responds with care and responsibility.

Throughout the year, we have taken several steps to address the needs of the stray cats around the cooperative. We supported veterinary care for multiple cats, including the sterilization of two cats to help prevent unwanted litters and reduce the number of animals exposed to the hardships of life on the streets. We also supported a cat in safely delivering her kittens with veterinary care, as well as another cat who required surgery after developing complications related to calicivirus. These interventions helped address serious medical needs and highlighted how essential access to veterinary care is for animals living without a permanent home.

While these efforts represent meaningful progress, they are only part of what is needed. Many stray cats continue to visit the cooperative daily, relying on the food and water we provide and finding temporary comfort in a place where they are welcomed. Some may require medical attention, while others would benefit from sterilization and neutering to help prevent further suffering and uncontrolled population growth. Responding to these needs requires ongoing resources, access to veterinary services, and the collective commitment of people who believe that animal welfare deserves attention.

Our experience has encouraged us to make animal welfare a more structured and sustainable part of our work. We want to move beyond responding to individual cases whenever possible and build a more consistent approach to supporting stray cats in the surrounding area. This means helping sick and injured animals receive the veterinary care they need, supporting sterilization and neutering, and continuing to provide assistance to vulnerable cats whenever we can. It also means recognizing that these efforts cannot depend on goodwill alone; they require resources and the support of a wider community.

This is why we are launching a dedicated fundraising campaign for stray cats. Through this initiative, we hope to raise the funds needed to continue providing veterinary care, support more sterilization and neutering procedures, and respond to the needs of the animals who depend on us. Every contribution can help us address an animal's medical needs, prevent avoidable suffering, or give a vulnerable cat a better chance at a healthy life.

At Man Wa Salwa, we know that caring for our community takes many forms. Our work supporting people remains at the heart of what we do, and extending our care to animals reflects the same values of solidarity, dignity, and compassion. We may not be able to help every animal on our own, but we can make a difference in the lives of those who cross our path. With the support of our community, we hope to reach more cats, provide more essential care, and create a safer environment for the animals living around us.

We invite you to be part of this effort. Your donation will help us turn compassion into action and ensure that stray cats receive the care and protection they deserve. Whether large or small, every contribution brings us one step closer to a community where vulnerable animals are not forgotten and where kindness extends to every living being.

Together, we can give more stray cats a chance at a safer, healthier, and more dignified life.