Strays of Dubai

Dubai, located in the United Arab Emirates, is one of the few Emirati states that allow some compliancy with pets and their pet owners. Many apartment buildings do not allow dogs or cats in the premises, but some buildings do as long as the dogs are properly restrained and do not cause problems, like barking, for the other tenants, otherwise pets are welcome. 

The problem is not making accommodations for pets, but that their owners abandon them when they move homes or leave the UAE.  There are many strays cats and dogs in the UAE, with hundreds coming from Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.

After a short discussion with Ms. Amani from the Dubai Municipality, I learned that the municipality turns in many of the strays they capture to the animal welfare organizations in Dubai. “We have many rules for keeping animals, like dogs, so that some breeds are not allowed in Dubai. Some like the snow dog or Husky and the very big dogs like the St. Bernard are not allowed because it is too hot in Dubai to keep them. We also do not allow the dangerous breeds of dogs into the country, like the Doberman. You can check this information at several of the government websites regarding bring animals into the UAE.”

Jackie Ratcliffe, the founder of K9 Friends Dubai in 1989, states that there are over 400 stray dogs that are taken into the shelter every year, with some of the dogs coming from the streets, “The streets mainly but also from people leaving the country giving up their dogs because they are bored of them,” according to Jackie. The K9 Friends Dubai is supported and recognized by the government and municipality of Dubai.

One of the well-known shelters for cats in Dubai is Feline Friends of Dubai, founded 1991 by Lesly King, a British expat living in Abu Dhabi. Feline Friends in the many pet owners that have abandoned their cats leave the overwhelming work and vast expenses to the shelter and volunteers to deal with. “Feline Friends is not supported by the government, so all the services are staffed by volunteers and donations. We do not have a shelter to keep the abandoned and stray cats in so many of them are placed in foster homes until they are adopted. We hold many special events like gala dinners and garage sales to raise the money needed to take care of the cats, and it is very hard. We rely on the donations and time given by our wonderful volunteers, which is much appreciated, as we are doing good for the community. What we mostly do is capture strays and neuter them, and if they are wild, we release them back on the streets but if they are young and have a good temperament, we can bring them with us and try to have them adopted.”

The Nad Al Shiba Veterinary Clinic, which does a lot of charity work, has a reputation for having some of the best veterinary surgeons in Dubai. Dr. Chris from Nad Al Shiba, states that “ We only provide support and discounted rates for animals presented via these charity / welfare organizations and sometimes injured wildlife. Our scope of work may include neutering, vaccination and worming, wound and trauma care. We work within budgets and guidelines established by the charity.” Dr. Chris says that Nad Al Shiba works with “Feline Friends, Dubai Animal Rescue, RAK Animal Welfare and the Sharjah Dog and Cat shelter.” Despite their contribuions though, costs are through the roof and donations are much needed to carry out these operations done by the clinic.

In short, I want the UAE community to know that cats and dogs are not toys to be thrown into the streets once their novelty wears off or if their owners must leave the country and cannot take their pets with them. Neglect is a form of animal cruelty and is also considered Haram or a sin, according to Islam. If one cannot take the full responsibility needed to bringing up a pet, then don’t contribute to the misery and number of strays and abandoned pets in the UAE. Be responsible and think before deciding to buy or adopt a pet, because they should be your friends forever, not just as long as they seem cute and entertaining for the short run.