The Green Eco Paw Project is transforming stray animal welfare in the UAE by creating handmade shelters from recycled materials. Founded by Dutch-Indian expat Chiku Singh, the initiative combines compassion with environmental responsibility, giving stray animals safe spaces to survive the UAE’s extreme weather. Singh’s mission underscores the importance of community action in supporting the nation’s sustainability goals while protecting vulnerable animals.
Since moving to Dubai in 2021, Singh has balanced her career as a senior management technology consultant with her passion for animal welfare. Since late 2022, she has built about 100 eco-friendly shelters across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. Each feeding station is crafted from discarded furniture, giving old wood a new life and reducing landfill waste.
Singh started the Green Project after seeing a makeshift feeding tent in Abu Dhabi. Inspired by that act of kindness, she decided to create permanent shelters that protect cats and dogs through both hot summers and cool winters. These shelters keep food and water safe while offering warmth and comfort to strays, especially pregnant animals.
Working from her home, Singh designs and builds each shelter using simple tools and repurposed wood collected from local communities. She teams up with Jatinder, a part-time helper she met during her early wood-collecting trips. Together, they assemble and deliver the shelters to residential neighborhoods and labor accommodations. Singh calls every unit a “labour of love” built with purpose and care.
The project supports the UAE’s Circular Economy Policy and Year of Sustainability by reusing waste materials and promoting climate-conscious behavior. Moreover, Singh engages residents to help maintain the shelters and feed strays responsibly. She also trains volunteers, including security guards and mosque staff, on hygiene and feeding practices.
Cleanliness remains a top priority. Singh urges feeders to keep areas tidy, avoid entrances, and clean up after meals. Her shelter designs help maintain hygiene, enclosing bowls and coating edges with oil to deter insects. This approach protects both animals and the communities they inhabit.
Through the Eco Paw, Singh shows how empathy can drive sustainability. Her work aligns with the UAE’s environmental vision and inspires others to take small, impactful actions. Looking ahead, she hopes local authorities will adopt similar eco-friendly shelters nationwide, expanding the project’s reach and impact.
For Singh, every shelter represents hope and humanity. Her dedication proves that compassion and sustainability can coexist, building a kinder and greener future for all living beings in the UAE.
