Blog: Watch Dogs

On October 21st 2020, Qatar in Quotes published their third episode titled Watch Dogs. This episode features James Hewitt and Donja El Gendy, a married couple that established a foster-based group called BarkinQ in 2016, with the goal of helping and supporting stray dogs in need in Qatar.

James and Donja take us through BarkinQ's journey, explaining how it started as a small-scale puppy event that eventually grew into an international rescue operation. 90% of the dogs from the puppy event were returned for a number of reasons, ranging from job instability to a lack of long-term thinking. Regardless of the reason, the outcome is that. “People just open the doors, and let the dogs go. And then we pick up the pieces.”

Due to this experience, BarkinQ decided that they would not allow people in Qatar to adopt their dogs. Rather, they would send them to the US, where their rescue partners would help them find a forever home. James and Donja handle the entire process, starting with medical care, vaccinations and neutering, then placing the dog with a temporary foster family in Qatar while finding a permanent family in the US, and finally locating flight buddies who are willing to accompany the dogs on their journey to the US.

Donja emphasizes that the stray population in Qatar is continuously increasing, and it’s a real issue. James shares some heart-wrenching stories of animal abuse and neglect that help to highlight the exigence of the situation. “He had been put in a cage for 2 years… his eyes had sealed over so he couldn’t see, because he’d never used his eyes, he just walked around in a circle.”

In spite of the horror stories James and Donja have encountered, they remain passionate. Watching these dogs find their forever homes and receiving pictures of them thriving with their new families is worth the struggle. “Now you see why we do it. The smiles on our faces.” 

The time, money and energy James and Donja have dedicated to this mission is endlessly inspiring, but they can't do it alone. The rescue community in Qatar is in dire need of help. James and Donja outline some of the simple ways people can contribute. Even if you are unable to financially contribute or foster a dog, there are small actions you can take to help make a difference. Tune in to this episode to learn more.

Written by: Kayan Khraisheh