JEDDAH: A Saudi Arabia cat food company, inspired by Islam’s directives on treating animals with love and kindness, is helping to take care of strays and those abandoned in the Kingdom.

The Horayra firm is named after Abu Huraira, a close companion of Prophet Muhammad. Abu Huraira, which means “Father of the kitten,” was given his nickname due to his affection for a kitten.

When tending to people’s sheep he would carry the kitten with him, playing with it during the day and placing it in a tree at night for safety. This reflects the values of compassion and love for animals that is at the heart of the company’s Horayra Community.

Saud Al-Sohimi, owner of the brand, told Arab News: “The goal is to feed the largest number of needy cats, promote the culture of compassion for animals, and rescue them from homelessness.”

The initiative brings together experts, cat lovers and rescuers across the Kingdom.

They launched the “1 Million Cats” campaign recently to feed this number of cats across the Kingdom by distributing free food to rescuers and pet stores.

The company has offered SR5,000 ($1,332) to someone who has the best story about feeding a cat.

The goal is to feed the largest number of needy cats, promote the culture of compassion for animals, and rescue them from homelessness.

Saud Al-Sohimi, Horayra brand owner

By sharing videos with the campaign’s hashtag on social media, the community contributes to a larger story of collective effort and compassion, Al-Sohimi explained.

Speaking about the company’s products, he added that it is made “from natural ingredients, ensuring their health and care.”

The company also donates cat food for strays with every purchase of a Horayra product, which is certified by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, and is available in Qatar and Kuwait.

They also manufacture special bags for stray cats which are distributed to supervisors in the Horayra Community for delivery to rescuers across the Kingdom.

Reflecting on the public’s love for cats, Al-Sohimi recalled how a woman in Riyadh rescued a cat with a severed tail. “She took the cat in, cared for it, and nursed it back to health. Unable to keep it, she put the cat up for adoption,” he said.

A Filipino man, living in Riyadh adopted the cat, and took it with him to the Philippines.

“There, the once-stray cat’s life transformed completely. It became a cherished pet, eventually had kittens, and lived a happy life filled with love and care, known as Milo to its new family,” said Al-Sohimi.

At the end of the year, the Horayra Community intends to honor the people who contributed to the campaign.

“The Horayra Community’s members are increasing every day. It is a shining example of the compassion and kindness of the Saudi people toward animals.

“Their efforts have significantly improved the lives of stray cats across the Kingdom, fostering a healthier environment for both humans and animals.” Al-Sohimi said.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet stressed the importance of stopping Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip and working to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid into the territory on Tuesday. 

The Cabinet also welcomed the contents of a statement issued at a ministerial meeting held in Madrid on Friday on how to advance a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and efforts to resolve the war in Gaza.

The “Madrid meeting focusing on the implementation of the Two State solution” was hosted by Spain’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Jose Manuel Albares Bueno and was attended by representatives of EU member states, European countries, a number of Arab countries, and members of the Arab-Islamic Contact Group for Gaza.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman briefed the Cabinet on the written message he received from the president of Angola and his recent meetings with the prime ministers of Egypt and China.

The Cabinet praised the outcomes of the fourth meeting of the High-Level Saudi-Chinese Joint Committee which highlighted a mutual interest in enhancing cooperation in the fields of security, energy, trade, investment, finance, culture, and tourism.

The Cabinet also discussed the Kingdom’s participation in regional and international meetings as part of its ongoing efforts to cooperate with countries and organizations to achieve regional security and stability and address global challenges through various means.