Around 150 cats were discovered abandoned in the desert of the United Arab Emirates, with some succumbing to the harsh conditions, according to animal rights group PETA. Activists within the oil-rich Gulf state reported numerous feline casualties, though several were fortunate enough to be rescued.

PETA has urged the UAE to address this "cruelty," emphasizing its seriousness. Jason Baker, Senior Vice President of the organization, stated, "PETA Asia is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for dumping these cats in the desert, subjecting them to a horrendous fate of thirst, starvation, and relentless heat."

Emirati authorities announced an "investigation into the incident of abandoned cats" in the Abu Dhabi desert on Thursday. However, they did not specify when these cats were left or the exact number of cats involved. They pledged to employ all "administrative and legal measures" against those responsible for this "inhumane" act.

Photographs and videos depicting cats buried in sand or in a severely weakened state have circulated on social media. AFP was unable to immediately verify their authenticity.

Jason Baker criticized the UAE, asserting that this act of cruelty should not be ignored, and that the country lags behind others in terms of animal protection, despite enacting a new law in 2007. He advocated for addressing the stray animal crisis through spaying, neutering, and adopting from shelters that are often understaffed and overburdened, a measure PETA Asia has been urging the UAE to implement for years.