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Volunteers investigate at least one case of dumped cats and dogs a day
The number of pet abandonment cases has generally been on the rise over the past two years, with rescue groups in the country investigating at least one case of an abandoned dog or cat a day.
Some aid groups say the numbers have risen sharply after the UAE largely recovered from the pandemic-induced lockdown. During the lockdown, the country’s office workers enthusiastically adopted or bought family pets, thinking it would last forever, rescue workers said.
“Now they have to go back to the office and they don’t know who is going to take care of this helpless animal,” Amanda Stevens, an animal rescue activist and owner of pet-sitting company Paw Central, told Khaleej Times.
“Inexperienced owners end up giving the animal to rescue groups, kennels, or worse, throwing it in the middle of the street,” Amanda said. In addition, some rescue cases were found to have suffered torture, beatings, starvation, over-breeding, and sometimes maggot-infested wounds.
Abuse case draws national attention after UAE royals step in to help
Cases of animal cruelty and abandonment have drawn national attention over the past few weeks and months, especially after members of the UAE’s ruling family stepped forward to save the hapless animals.
A stray dog who was seriously injured after being shot several times with an air gun is now in the care of Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Grace, who is of mixed Saluki descent, was rescued by Bubble Pet Rescue after she was found injured in the Al Barashi area of Sharjah last month. Likewise, Sheikha Latifa bint Ahmed Al Maktoum adopted Midnight, a mixed-breed bitch who was starved, abused, beaten and overbred.
In a recent case where irresponsible owners rescued a husky from being locked out with the involvement of Dubai Police and the municipality, Amanda said many of the dumped dogs were expensive working dog breeds, Such as Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes and German Shepherds.
Abandoned husky in Dubai finds new home in Germany
“These are energetic working dogs. They need mental stimulation. Back in their natural habitat, huskies are sled dogs. Many people buy or adopt these breeds without the care and maintenance they need. Enough research. Maintain the dogs,” she explained.
Amanda also said that huskies, sled dogs and snow dogs were bred domestically or imported from abroad.
“Many rescue cases don’t have microchips and have not been vaccinated. That can only mean they were bred locally,” she said. Amanda said she has successfully relocated several huskies and sled dogs that were dumped in the UAE to Germany, Denmark and Amsterdam.
Why do people abandon their pets?
Amirah William, founder and manager of the Umm Al Quwain Stray Dog Centre, said her group has rescued more than 8,000 animals since 2014, with about 7,000 relocated.
“Funding is by far our biggest challenge. We rely entirely on public support to operate. Whether it’s through corporate or individual sponsorships, paid events, adoption fees and fundraising,” Amirah said.
“The biggest mistake is that people think pets are easy to care for, especially puppies,” she said.
Experts have long believed that puppies need constant attention. “Before making a decision to adopt, people have to ask themselves: Can I afford the costs associated with having a pet? Can I provide animal food, proper shelter, pay veterinary fees, training (if needed) and relocation costs?” A Mira said.
Amirah also said some people who had to give up their pets chose to relocate their pets themselves. However, there is a negative stigma, which is why some people choose to dump. “The best option is to surrender to a shelter or a rescue group,” she said.
Likewise, Michelle Francis, founder of Fujairah’s non-profit Animals and Our Shelter, said: “Most people don’t have animal welfare at heart. They see pets as accessories, and a lot of people have pets because of other people. Own it. It’s like they’re following a trend.”
“Once this trend stops and they see pets as accessories, I think it’s going to solve a lot of problems,” Michelle said. Also, during Covid-19, more and more people are getting pets.
“We’ve met amazing people who love animals. However, I don’t think the recent abandonment is just due to the resumption of normal activities after Covid. As a shelter organization, we don’t house animals just because people are feeling lonely during the pandemic. We Adoption and foster care are very strict,” she said.
At the same time, there has also been some pet-to-human transmission as pet parents are literally unable to take care of their pets. “A single mother who came to us with a golden retriever said her child was too anxious about the dog,” she said. Amanda also called for tougher penalties and actions for those who keep pets and sell them for money.
What are Take, Neuter and Release?
Melissa Whitehead, PR professional and animal rescue enthusiast, said: “There are so many homeless cats and dogs in the UAE, and there are some well-meaning people who have gone out of their way to help with this. I helped along the way at TRN. – Take, neutralize and release.”
“This is a process many rescuers use to help reduce the number of cats and dogs born on the street. A cage with succulent food; once the cat is in, the cage door closes and we can have them spayed or neutered by the veterinarian, “Melissa said.
This prevents them from multiplying and having ten more babies on the street, multiplying the population. “Once cats are spayed or neutered, we put them back on the street, making sure food and water are nearby. Dogs tend to be a little easier in the sense that you can approach them, but the numbers are staggering. Abandoned in a shelter,” she added.
“Some shelters alone have more than 200 animals, not to mention the 30 street cats you see every day,” Melissa said.
What to do with abandoned pets?
According to Amirah, pet psychology is not much different from human psychology. “When traumatized, it can cause heartache, pain, and sometimes disconnection or depression. The same can happen to your pet,” she said.
Dr. Sam Westhead, clinical director of the Amity Veterinary Clinic, said: “It depends a lot on the animal. I can’t start thinking about abandoning my dog because it’s so cruel. Animals feel disoriented and bereaved.”
Dr Westhead said: “They break away from their familiar environment and end up behaving abnormally. They over-groom or lick. They are stressed and find themselves in a novel situation and wonder why this is happening. Happening.”
“Once they’re picked up and taken to the kennel, they get very frustrated because they’re surrounded by other animals that feel the same,” he added.
“People need to be made aware that two things are going on with all these poor homeless animals,” Melissa said.
“They go to shelters and people usually support them out of their own pocket and rely on community donations of food etc.”
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“Once shelters are full, people have no choice but to put some animals to sleep, or say no to any other animals that may need home or help. Sometimes authorities will put these stray animals to sleep, regardless of age, nature,” she said. added.
– dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com
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