Discover Animals’ videographer Geoff Moore’s latest film was inspired by news from his wife Suzanne about a man known as the Cat Man of Cairo, who has been rescuing cats in the Egyptian capital.
So, during a recent trip, Geoff managed to meet up with Moamen Nasr to find out about some of the work he has done over recent years, alongside his day job working as an accountant in the head office of a bank.
Whilst in the city, Geoff and his wife went to meet him at his home on the edge of this, the largest city in Africa. Living with his two sisters and father, when he is not at work Moamen can be seen touring the area where he lives, tracking and looking after cats around his neighbourhood.
His voluntary work has helped to find cats that need forever homes both in Egypt itself and abroad too. He has helped to send cats to places around Europe, the UK and also to the USA. With help from his sister, who trained as a vet, they ensure that the cats have the necessary treatments to get them healthy and then once they are fit, they can be offered for adoption. Moamen spends his own money on food and veterinary bills and looks after his own two cats, one of which has been such a part of the family that he is constantly paying out for long term treatment for him. Over the years he has sent many cats abroad getting them prepared for the freight flights, which is how they have to be sent.
There are many cats living around the streets of Cairo. They tend to come out more at night to scavenge, especially if they are not living with a family, which is when Moamen can be seen on the lookout for strays or injured cats. Neutering and spaying of cats is not widely done in the country within the cat population although some charities do help with the street dogs and they often carry an ear tag to show they have had such treatment.
Laura Whitehouse from England, who adopted one of his cats, spoke of getting to know Moamen online and this is how she ended up with her ginger cat called  ‘Bear’. When found, he was straggly, dirty and living in a small rubbish dump. Moahem spotted him and mentioned him to Laura and she told him to go and get him and said she would like to adopt him and bring him back to the West Midlands. Now ‘Bear’ is a very healthy ginger cat enjoying a life with Laura and some of the other cats that live with her too.
Moamen and his family share their small apartment with two live-in cats and occasionally others when either they or their neighbours bring them strays as they know he is the ‘Cat Man of Cairo’!
Cat Tunnel
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