Several pet shelters in the country are booked beyond capacity and cannot take in any more animals
Abu Dhabi - During the summer months, abandoned pets on the streets soar. But this year, the problem is worse, say animal welfare people in the UAE
Published: Sat 26 Aug 2017, 6:07 PM
Last updated: Sun 27 Aug 2017, 1:06 PM
Pets are not always a pampered lot in the UAE, as it would seem. Dogs, cats, rabbits or chipmunks - most have an expiry date on their domestic life. They enjoy the privileges of a cozy home, good food and love and care. only as long as it is convenient to the owners.
Once their shelf-life is over, they get dumped. Discarded to live on the streets, sick and miserable.
It is a dog's life out there.
"People don't understand that having pets is not a hobby. It is a life-long commitment. You are talking about 20 or 30 years of a cat or dog's life. They are not expendable," said Dr Susan Aylott, who heads Animal Welfare Abu Dhabi, a voluntary organisation that fights for animal rights.
Staggering problem
Activists like Dr Aylott say the number of pets abandoned every year in the UAE is staggering. "It is a really, really bad problem. Currently, we have more than 100 pets that need rehoming," said Dr Aylott. Their volunteers pick up more than five to seven dumped cats every week from different areas of the emirate.
"We are struggling to find foster homes for these cats. At any given time, there are more abandoned cats than available foster homes. Pets used to a cozy life will be miserable on the streets. They are not used to the heat and don't know how to forage for food.
Most often they get abused, run over by cars or get sick and malnourished," Dr Aylott said.
Sarita Harding, volunteer, Animal Action UAE, told Khaleej Times that this year has been the worst for pets. With many people losing jobs and leaving the country, she said, pet dumping has hit an all-time high.
"Usually, it is during the summer months that abandoned pets on the streets soar. But this year, even before the onset of summer, we already have around 100 dogs on our list that we sheltered in kennels and foster homes. There were weeks when our volunteers picketed up to 30 dogs from various parts of Dubai and Abu Dhabi," Harding said.
Not enough foster homes
"It is becoming more and more difficult to find foster homes. We have limit on our resources and feel helpless when we have to leave them on the streets. Most of the time, we end up feeding them and treating them from our own pockets," said Harding, who is fostering 12 abandoned dogs at her house.
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A quick glance across the Facebook pages of animal volunteer groups and shelters will tell us how many owners are desperate to get rid of their pets. Some families are leaving the country, while others have reasons like moving houses to pet-unfriendly neighbourhoods. Harding says her organisation get contacted every day by owners, saying they are looking to rehome their pets.
The situation is no different with animal shelters and kennels across the UAE. When contacted by Khaleej Times, several pet shelters said they are booked beyond capacity, and cannot take in any more.
Why do people dump pets?
Pets come with a price. Affordability seems to be one of the main reasons.
Natalie Stoles, an animal activist in Abu Dhabi, told us that most pet owners don't plan for the future. "They may have a fat pay cheque and a big villa in the UAE, and think it is okay to have three, four or more pets. But when they lose their jobs or have to move back to their home countries, they want to get rid of the animals."
Stoles said the high cost of pet relocation is another big reason why people abandon their pets. "Many pet owners get a shock of their life when they find out the cost of relocating a pet is anything to the tune of Dh10,000 and more."
According to Stoles, there are cheaper options available if the owners are willing to do some research. "For instance, relocating a pet to London directly will cost Dh10,000 and more. But if you fly your pet to Amsterdam and then arrange to drive them to London, you can do it in less than Dh4000," said Stoles.
Highlighting the cost factor of keeping a pet, Dr Aylott said many people find it unaffordable. "Consider the cost of neutering a cat or a dog. It will cost you anything between Dh200 to Dh700. Similar is the cost of vaccinations. Pet foods, medication all are expensive.
"Many people want to help but they cannot afford it. I believe the only way to improve the condition of pets is by reducing the cost for the owners."
Irresponsible behaviour
Compounding the problem is the irresponsible behavior of pet owners who consider pets disposable. "Many people don't understand having a pet is like having a child. When you take in an animal, you have to understand that you are taking responsibility for at least 15 years of their food, 15 years of medical treatment, and other upkeep," said Dr Aylott.
"Abandoning pets is illegal. It is also immoral and unethical. Dumping your pet on the streets is tantamount to killing the animal."
anjana@khaleejtimes.com
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