Abu Dhabi shelter helps 600 pets find homes every year

Abu Dhabi - Ever since formation, the shelter home is seeing an increase in the number of adoption.

Adopt your pet, do not buy them from shops, urges Abu Dhabi Animal Shelter, the oldest home for abandoned cats and dogs in the Capital, managed by Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital.
Health and welfare of street and stray animals is the core objective at the shelter, where pets are vaccinated and groomed for adoption, which on an annual count sees 600 new owners for cats and dogs, an official said.
"When established in April of 2010, it was the first animal shelter in Abu Dhabi. The Centre of Waste Management - Abu Dhabi (Tadweer) brings feral cats and stray dogs to us. We do a check-up and take care of these animals. We run the trap-neuter-return programme. This way we control the number of street dogs and feral cats through neutering," Safeyya Mohammed Al Mehrezi from Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital said during the ongoing Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (Adihex) held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec).
"We later insert microchips on them, which helps in identification while adoption. The microchip is a sign that the particular animal has undergone our programme."
The 15-digit microchip helps to identify pets if they escape or get stolen. Ever since formation, the shelter home is seeing an increase in the number of adoption. "We have an average of more than 600 adoptions. Last year, it stood at 630 new homes for cats and dogs," Safeyya said.
10,000 pets treated
The hospital's pet care centre provides clinical treatment, vaccination and healthcare services to all cats and dogs. "The centre receives 10,000 animals annually for treatment and vaccination. We first offer consultation through a vet and then provide needed healthcare services. There is a state-of-the-art laboratory where 75,000 tests are done annually. We have grooming sessions to make them ready for adoption," Safeyya added.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Abu Dhabi