After 12 years of arduous work and dedication protecting the abandoned animals of Kuwait, ‘K’s Path’ is sadly closing down this December. NES has been volunteering and helping out with the animals over the past few years and we have decided it is only right to write an article about the incredible time we have had helping out. This article includes information about K’s Paths journey, a personal recollection of a student’s views on adopting a K’s Path animal, and students volunteering experience.
‘K’s Path’ was founded in March 2005 by a dedicated woman named Ayeshah Al Humaidi, and over the time period, the organisation has successfully taken care of over 18,000 animals of all different kinds of species. Due to the closure of ‘K’s Path’, they have been trying to find permanent homes for the remaining animals they have in the shelter before the end of the year. They still have a few dogs and cats in the shelter, ready to be adopted and join a loving family! 
Adopting Experience
After moving to Kuwait, my family and I had decided that we wanted to adopt a cat. We came across K’s Path’s website and saw all the lovable cats they had in the shelter up for adoption. The reason of why we chose to adopt from ‘K’s Path’ is because all of their animals have had their vaccinations and had microchips implanted, in case they get lost. In addition, they are a non-profit organisation, as they are willing to help the animals rather than make a profit from them. She was only approximately 4 months old when we first got her, so we had to teach her simple things like using a litter box and not breaking fragile items around the house. Having had our cat for a few months now, she has adapted to the change from a shelter to a home very well. K’s Path has done an incredible job taking care of the cat while being in the shelter, so training her was not difficult and was done rapidly.
Volunteering Experience
Volunteering is a valuable affair that should be encouraged and participated regardless of age. It teaches life lessons in the most unexpected of ways. Being a K’s Path volunteer was more than just waking up on some Saturday mornings to brush the cats or dog; it may have seemed that way but we as volunteers were contributing to society and doing far more than we thought. By doing this we were part of a group that worked to help adorable animals and aided K’s Path staff in maintaining and taking care of their animals. Some volunteers who did not initially know how to bathe dogs, or had not walked them before, soon learned how.
Sometimes we would give peanut butter to the dogs as a treat after their good behaviour during their bath, once a dog was feeling hot so it jumped into the tub of drinking water and splashed around. It was experiencing these precious and playful moments that brought so much joy to us. Bonding with the animals was the principal part of volunteering; just seeing how happy the dogs were and how playful the cats were made you forget of anything one might have had to worry about. How could we be stressed when we were surrounded by animals who lit up the place.There was for sure never a dull day at Kspath; the cats made us laugh, the dogs made us run, the rabbits made us “Awww” and not to forget the horses, goats, sheep, donkeys, and baboons!
K’s Path was a safe haven. When we were at K’s Path we forgot about our worries and left them behind, we lived in the moment and absorbed. I will never forget the well trained and delightful dogs I walked or the cats I played with and brushed. I do not think that I can ever thank K’s Path enough for this opportunity.
Save a Soul
Fortunately, the amazing efforts of K’s Path have not gone to waste, as they have inspired a former NES student, Aliss, to start an organisation named Save A Soul. It is aiming to continue the journey towards the goal that K’s Path aims to achieve, to help the abandoned animals of Kuwait and find a worthy home for them. NES has started to work with Save A Soul to help them with their amazing goal, and we invite YOU to join us and them on this incredible journey!
