They aren't Just Pets-they are Family. Don't Leave them Behind
By Cecilia Kimuyu,
On Saturday, June 28, I had the privilege of joining fellow animal lovers at Nairobi Feline Sanctuary (NFS) in Tigoni to mark World Day Against Pet Abandonment, under the theme —the ones left behind.
My love for animals began in childhood. I grew up in a home where cats and dogs were part of the family, thanks to my grandmother, whose kindness toward animals shaped my own. This taught me that pets aren’t just companions—they are family.
At NFS, I met over 200 rescued cats, each with a heartbreaking backstory. Some had been dumped in the streets. Others were the ones left behind—abandoned when their families moved. Some had injuries from accidents, neglect, or abuse. But all of them had one thing in common: they had been abandoned—and yet they were still capable of love.
Among the many animals at the sanctuary, two in particular stood out—Bosco and Tanni.
Bosco: A Survivor with a Failing Heart
Bosco is a sweet, gentle dog who was abandoned by his owners. He now lives with a serious heart condition that requires specialized vet care, and a calm environment. Despite all he has endured, Bosco greets everyone with a wagging tail and leans in for affection — as if to say, “I forgive you.”
He embodies the quiet resilience of the ones left behind — still capable of love, still hoping to be loved in return.
Tanni: Proof that Kindness Heals
Then there’s Tanni — a tabby cat living with Cerebellar Hypoplasia (CH). When she first arrived at the sanctuary, she struggled to walk. But with time, care, and patience, she’s now on her feet — perching playfully on visitors’ shoulders and soaking up affection like the little queen she is.
Tanni craves connection. Sadly, she was once adopted but returned — simply for being “too needy.” But Tanni isn’t difficult. She’s loving. After knowing neglect, she clings to kindness. What she truly needs is a home that sees her affection not as a burden.
Pet Abandonment is more than Neglect
As Rachel Kabue, Founder of Nairobi Feline Sanctuary, shared:
“Pet abandonment is more than neglect — it’s a growing crisis that’s contributing to rising stray populations and overflowing shelters like NFS.”
She explains that many abandonments happen when pet owners call the shelter and learn about the adoption or surrender process. Some, unwilling to pay a fee or take responsibility, simply dump their animals at the gate — or leave them behind when relocating.
“Who do you leave them with?” she asks.
“Some of these pets die. Others fall sick, and by the time they’re rescued, they’re in very bad shape.”
At NFS, all 20 of the rescued dogs were once someone’s pet — loved, but later discarded. As Rachel puts it, by the time they’re trying to figure out their new life, they’re already broken, confused, and deeply hurt.
Her plea is simple but firm:
“If you choose to have a pet, it should be for life. Pets are family. Just like we don’t abandon our children when we lose jobs or face hardship, we shouldn’t abandon our pets. And if you can’t care for a pet at home, visit a shelter — spend time with them, volunteer. There’s always a way to show kindness.”
A Safe Haven for Rescued Animals
The Nairobi Feline Sanctuary is building a larger, safer space for the animals in their care—including a maternity wing and cat play area, at Tigoni. The Sanctuary is calling on well-wishers to help them create a refuge and a future for animals who have nowhere else to go.
Let’s break the cycle of abandonment and raise a generation that sees animals not as property, but as sentient beings worthy of care, compassion, and commitment. Responsible pet ownership starts with empathy—because in the eyes of Bosco, Tanni, Missy, and countless others, there’s one message we must never ignore: “Please don’t leave me behind.”
Not just pets, but family indeed, and I hope many more people would view it as so!