In 25 Cats from Qatar, director Mye Hoang explores the overpopulation crisis of street cats in one of the world’s wealthiest nations. In Doha, Qatar’s capital, migrant workers—who make up 89% of the population—often take it upon themselves to care for the country’s countless stray cats, many of whom face disease, neglect, and harsh urban environments. Among them is Umair Khan, a construction manager from Pakistan who secretly shelters over 50 cats at his job site, hiding them from his superiors. Hoang expands the story by profiling other migrants who find unique ways to help hundreds of felines.
Thousands of miles away in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, cat café owner Katy McHugh embarks on a bold, four-day mission to select and fly 25 adoptable cats from Qatar to the U.S. for rehoming through her café. Once in Doha, Katy meets an international network of rescuers, including Lana Malkawi, who runs a shelter for over 300 special-needs cats. Katy must make quick, often heartbreaking decisions about which cats to bring back, taking into account factors that make cats adoptable, including health, temperament, sometimes breed, and bureaucratic hurdles like customs clearance and disease certification. Regarding health, Katy especially has a soft spot for injured and disabled kitties.
Cameras follow Katy through construction zones, shelters, and bustling markets, visiting with local rescuers and select cats like Penelope, an orphaned kitten; Goose, an abandoned Persian; and Dr. Garfield, left behind at a vet clinic. Every cat has a story, and each rescue represents a chance at a new life in a loving home. With government restrictions looming and only limited space available, Katy’s mission becomes a race against time.
A rescuer surrounded by dozens of cats inside a Doha shelter known as “Cat Castle,” one of the many stops featured in 25 Cats from Qatar. Photo by Patrick Ouziel.
“…a bold, four-day mission to select and fly 25 adoptable cats from Qatar to the U.S.”
Look, it’s virtually impossible to give a negative review for a documentary about cats. It’s also hard not to see every subject in the documentary as heroes—and I have no intention of trying. 25 Cats from Qatar is one of the cutest and heroic documentaries you’ll see this year. It’s a party in the brain for any cat person or animal lover…though sometimes the film gets a little anti-dog (from one cab driver).
Personally I’m not a cat person, but damn, it’s hard not to feel sympathy for these felines. What I enjoyed most about the film is the tour we get of the country of Qatar. It’s a wealthy country that was built by the hands of migrants, and Hoang brings her cameras to street level, we see a group of citizens and migrants focused on one effort: saving and adopting cats. We’re not that different on the other side of the world.
Lastly, filmmaker Mye Hoang tells a thrilling, educational, and engaging story. There is a great deal of time spent covering the exponential growth of the cat population. Originally brought to Qatar to control the rat population, the country has become a dumping ground for unwanted cats. The government wants the problem dealt with, but it’s unwilling to spend money on spaying and neutering the stray cats they manage to capture. They waste “precious” medicine to euthanize the worst cases. Fortunately for Katy, the government has made special provisions and exceptions for the work she’s doing to find foreign adoptees.
25 Cats from Qatar succeeds not just as an advocacy piece but as a compelling, fast-paced rescue adventure. What starts as a story about cats becomes one about people: ordinary individuals who step up to confront an overwhelming problem with compassion and grit. By the end, it’s clear the fight for animal welfare in Qatar is far from over, but this film offers a small, powerful example of how change begins—with 25 cats, a handful of volunteers, and one very determined flight attendant.
For screening information, visit the 25 Cats from Qatar official website.
"…It’s a party in the brain for any cat person..."
