RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has launched a comprehensive national roadmap designed to elevate animal protection standards across the Kingdom during this year’s Saudi Pet & Vet Expo in Riyadh. Announced by Bader Mohammed Alshaer, head of the government’s animal welfare department, the Executive Plan for Animal Welfare 2026-2030 establishes a structured framework anchored on five core pillars: expanding public awareness, strengthening legislative regulations, advancing veterinary healthcare, upgrading specialized services, and fostering multi-sector partnerships uniting state bodies, private enterprises, nonprofits, and volunteers.
Held at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center under the patronage of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the fifth edition of the exhibition convened veterinary specialists, commercial suppliers, animal welfare advocates, and pet owners. While showcasing modern veterinary innovations and retail products, the forum also served as a vital platform for local rescuers and tech entrepreneurs to address pressing challenges surrounding stray animal management, pet abandonment, and responsible ownership across Saudi cities.
Among the grassroots advocates highlighting operational pressures on the ground was Nouf Al-Mandeel, co-founder of the Riyadh-based rescue sanctuary Happy Paws. Established in 2020 in response to rising numbers of injured and abandoned street animals, the organization has rescued 150 cats and 100 dogs to date. After high veterinary boarding expenses prompted her to lease a dedicated farm, Al-Mandeel expanded the sanctuary to offer public adoption drives, volunteer opportunities, animal sponsorship schemes, and direct food-supply partnerships with local vendors.
Addressing systemic remedies, Al-Mandeel stressed the urgent necessity of widespread trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs to curb uncontrolled breeding through sterilization before shelters become completely overwhelmed. She also drew attention to the harsh toll of domestic abandonment, noting that animals purchased young and later left outdoors face severe survival risks in the Kingdom’s extreme climate. Although she welcomed existing national penalties against animal cruelty, Al-Mandeel urged stricter enforcement mechanisms to ensure consistent deterrence.
Alongside frontline rescue efforts, young Saudi innovators are leveraging mobile technology to promote responsible pet stewardship. Entrepreneurs Lujain Alaydie and Layan Almutairi showcased Luna’s World, a dedicated digital platform created to connect cat owners and centralize feline health management. Originally conceived by Alaydie during her university graduation project and named after her first pet—one of 13 cats she currently cares for—the application integrates educational resources, adoption listings, lost-and-found alerts, and digital health logs.
Through the platform, owners can consolidate vaccination schedules, clinical visits, and medical histories in a single mobile interface. Alaydie noted that upcoming software updates will enable users to export downloadable medical files, streamlining communication between pet owners and veterinary clinics. Together, regulatory reform, shelter advocacy, and homegrown tech solutions signal a growing national commitment to modernizing animal care across Saudi Arabia.
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