Far from war, Basra's cats lap it up in their own hotel

[April 02, 2018]    BASRA, Iraq (Reuters) - A world away from Iraq's battlegrounds, Basra's cat-lovers have found a haven for their favorite pets.

Cats are seen in a cat hotel in Basra, Iraq, March 13, 2018. REUTERS/Essam Al-Sudani

Veterinary student Ahmed Taher Maki has turned his home in the southern city into what he believes is Iraq's first cat hotel.

For as little as 5,000 Iraqi dinars ($4.20) a night - or half that for long stays - the guests can enjoy beds, regular meals, health checkups and a mini playground, all under the cooling purr of an air conditioner.

Maki said he was hoping to encourage more people to adopt cats in the city and give them a place to leave their pets when they are away on a trip.

Taking care of animals gives people a "merciful heart," he said. "The hotel is a noble thing and unprecedented in the south of Iraq and Basra in particular."

(Writing by Andrew Heavens; Editing by Peter Graff)

[© 2018 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2018 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.