Cairo: Volunteers in Cairo are feeding some of the stray animals that can be spotted everywhere in the Egyptian city.
The Welfare Awareness team is a small group of four volunteers, who got together six months ago to help streets cats and dogs.
"We go out with huge amounts of food, which are consumed instantly because there is no source of food (for the animals) in the street," said Madonna Azar, a member of the team.
Azar said there is less for the animals to eat since there is reduced foot traffic on the street because of Ramadan and the recent Easter holiday.
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The Welfare Awareness team includes twin sisters Monica and Madonna Adel, who are both students at Cairo University.
The sisters joined hands with two other Cairo University graduates after they met through Facebook, and decided to educate people on animal welfare.
"The bare minimum and the least costly option is to bring leftover food from home to the animals in the streets. It won't cost anything," says Monica Adel.
The volunteers are hoping to teach people to show compassion toward street animals.
They are working closely with children "because that is the future generation," Adel says.
The team members are spending their own money to buy food, water and supplies for the stray cats and dogs.
They welcome all sorts of donations except for money.
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Their task is not always easy and there are times when the team faces criticism.
Volunteer Andro Sami says people in the street have recently ridiculed the group for looking after animals instead of people in need.
"A person at least knows where to go for help... but how can dogs ask for help? That is the point," Sami says.
AP
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