You found an animal
in need.
Here is exactly what to do.
We are a volunteer rescue group operating across Kuwait. Follow these steps carefully — your actions in the first few minutes can save this animal’s life.
Step-by-step protocol
5 steps to take right now
Don’t take a video and leave
Injured animals move unpredictably. Filming and walking away is the most common mistake — by the time help arrives the animal is gone.
Move them to safety
If in immediate danger — road, extreme heat, open area — gently guide or carry them to a quiet enclosed space. A yard, bathroom, or cardboard box all work.
Handle safely — protect yourself
Use a towel, cloth, or jacket. Never handle with bare hands — an animal in pain will bite even if normally tame. Open wounds carry infection risk.
DM us on Instagram
Send a direct message to @kareq8 on Instagram with a location pin, a photo, and the animal’s visible condition. Messages help us triage faster than calls.
Stay close — your presence matters
We are volunteers and response times vary. Staying nearby keeps the animal in place, deters threats, and lets you send live updates.
Critical rules
What you must and must not do
Stay calm and quietYour emotional state transfers directly to the animal. Slow movements and a low voice reduce panic dramatically.
Offer water, never force itPlace a shallow dish nearby. Forcing water into a distressed animal causes choking.
Keep them warm and darkCover the container with a cloth. Darkness reduces stress. In Kuwait’s heat, move to AC or shade immediately.
Document everythingTime found, location, injuries, behaviour. This helps the vet enormously when they arrive.
Give human food or medicationBread, milk, ibuprofen — almost all human food and medicine is toxic or harmful to animals.
Attempt to clean deep woundsSurface rinse with clean water is fine. Never probe wounds, remove embedded objects, or apply ointments.
Leave them in a parked carTemperatures inside a parked car in Kuwait reach 70°C. Even 10 minutes is fatal for a compromised animal.
Introduce to your petsA stressed rescue animal may lash out. Keep strictly separated until vet-cleared.
Species-specific guidance
Handling varies by animal
Recognising a cat in crisis
- Open-mouth breathing is a medical emergency
- Third eyelid visible = shock or severe illness
- Dragging a limb = spinal or pelvic injury likely
- Pale or white gums = blood loss, vet immediately
- Flattened ears and dilated pupils = extreme fear
Approach and secure safely
- Approach from the side, not head-on — crouch low
- Scruff only if necessary; support hindquarters
- A pillowcase works as a temporary carrier
- Cover box top — darkness calms cats significantly
- Do not hold against chest if breathing is laboured
Recognising a dog in crisis
- Heavy panting and confusion = heat stroke
- Bloated abdomen = GDV, life-threatening emergency
- Crying when touched = internal injury, handle minimally
- Pale or blue-grey gums = shock or oxygen deprivation
- Cowering with tail tucked = fear or past abuse
Approach and secure safely
- Approach from the side; offer the back of your hand first
- A shoelace loop makes a safe improvised muzzle
- Slide injured dogs onto a flat board or blanket
- For heat stroke: wet fur with cool water, then fan
- A belt loop prevents running into traffic
Recognising an injured bird
- On the ground unable to fly = wing fracture or concussion
- One eye closed, head tilted = head trauma
- Beak open with laboured breathing = respiratory distress
- Feathers fluffed when warm = sick, not just cold
- Fledgling with visible feathers = may not need rescue
Approach and secure safely
- Cup gently in both hands — birds die from over-handling
- Ventilated cardboard box lined with paper towels
- Completely dark and quiet — reduces stress dramatically
- No water or food — aspiration risk is very high
- Window-strike birds: dark box 1 hour, then reassess
Small wild animals
- Use thick gloves — hedgehog spines carry bacteria
- Do not attempt to unroll a curled hedgehog
- Warm, dark box; a heating pad on low setting helps
- Active in daytime = usually sick (nocturnal animals)
- Never house with domestic pets
When in doubt: contain and contact us
- Golden rule: less handling is almost always better
- Wild animals can carry diseases — always protect yourself
- Snakes: do not handle; contain area and contact KARE
- Turtles: support the full shell, keep horizontal
- Send us a photo — we will identify and advise
Emergency first aid
Basic care while you wait for us
Bleeding wounds
Apply firm, gentle pressure with a clean cloth. Do not remove it — add more on top if it soaks through.
- Use gauze, never cotton wool (it sticks)
- Hold 5 to 10 minutes without peeking
- Rinse with clean water only if heavily contaminated
- No ointments or antiseptic sprays
Heat stroke
Heavy panting, confusion, or collapse in heat is an emergency. Kuwait summers are lethal for compromised animals.
- Move to shade or AC immediately
- Wet fur with cool water, not ice cold
- Fan gently — evaporation cools fastest
- Offer water but never force it
- Message KARE immediately
Shock
Signs: pale gums, weak rapid pulse, glassy eyes, cold extremities. Life-threatening — minimise handling.
- Keep warm — wrap in blanket or jacket
- Minimise all movement and handling
- Keep horizontal, do not elevate the head
- Your calm directly affects their recovery
- Get to a vet as fast as possible
Breathing difficulty
Open-mouth breathing, blue gums, laboured chest movement all require immediate veterinary care.
- Keep the animal upright if possible
- Do not restrict chest movement
- Clear only visible airway obstructions
- Excitement and stress worsen breathing
- Do not attempt CPR unless trained
Safe transport
How to move an injured animal safely
Prepare the container before lifting the animal
Line a box with soft cloth, leave it open and ready nearby. A fumbled transfer is when most bites and escapes happen.
Support the full body — never lift by limbs
One hand under the chest, one under the hindquarters. If spinal injury is suspected, slide onto a rigid flat surface instead of lifting.
Secure the container — prevent sliding
Place the box on the car floor, not the seat. A sliding box causes fear and further injury. Wedge with bags or clothing.
Drive smoothly — no radio or loud AC
Sudden braking and loud noise spike stress hormones. Drive steadily and keep talking to a minimum.
Peek through air holes — do not open the box
Darkness and enclosure are calming, not cruel. Resist the urge to comfort by opening the container during transit.
Be prepared
Keep a rescue kit in your car
Found an animal right now?
We are volunteers — response times vary, but we always try. DM us on Instagram with a photo and location pin. Do not call.
We are an all-volunteer group. Every message is read. ♥