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Ill-treatment of pets is rampant in Dubai

Janet Small, the coordinator of the Feline Friends Homing Line, said that the organisation had witnessed several cases of abuse over the past few months - kittens being dumped at veterinary clinics or cats being abandoned at various places.

The organisation is also concerned about people shooting animals with air rifles.

For instance, four weeks ago, a white, short-haired male cat wearing a collar was found injured at The Greens complex in the city.

A resident of the complex found the cat and called Feline Friends for help.

The cat was taken to a veterinary clinic where it underwent surgery so that it could get rid of an air rifle pellet stuck in its leg. The cat is now recovering.

While Feline Friends would like to find the original owner of the cat, the best option seems to be, according to Small, “finding it a new home".

Small said that Feline Friends has had cases where people have relocated to another country leaving their cats behind to fend for themselves in the scorching heat.

The organisation is trying to make people aware of how they should take care of their pets which includes taking their pets along with them if they are leaving Dubai.

The organisation also offers help if for some reason pet owners are not able to do so.

"But they have to inform us well in advance. We are a team of volunteers and if people are not being able to take their cats along with them, they should contact us as soon as they know that they are leaving the country for sure, or, at least when their shipment is being packed," said Small.

The organisation does not have any facility to shelter cats, but it seeks the help of various veterinary clinics in Dubai.

"The Dubai Municipality is taking several initiatives."

"The authorities have provided an effective sterilisation programme," said Small.

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