August 26 is International Dog Day.
And, what better way to celebrate than by visiting a local shelter to foster or adopt?
For those who are unsure about the process, it often involves filling out paperwork, being interviewed and, in some cases, having your home checked. The pet being adopted will be spayed or neutered, fully vaccinated, dewormed and microchipped, depending on its age.
However, if you're unable to take in a dog, there are still other ways to help including donating time or helping raise awareness for animals in need. Here’s a list of dog rescue groups and organisations in the UAE.
K9 Friends
K9 Friends was started in 1989 by a group of 12 friends in Dubai. Its current shelter has been operational since 2009; since the organisation’s inception, it has helped to rehome more than 7,900 dogs. It has weekly adoption days.
More information at k9friends.com
Green Paws
Green Paws was established in September 2022 and used to be known as Sniff Middle East. Based in Dubai, they have cats and dogs up for adoption and their website includes a section for senior and special needs pets looking for homes.
More information at www.greenpawsuae.com
Animals and Us
The shelter in Fujairah was founded in 2006 by Michelle Francis and has almost 400 rescue dogs under its care. It is run by a group of volunteers and holds adoption days in Dubai.
More information at aauf.ae
Amanda's Animal Rescue UAE
Amanda's Animal Rescue helps rescue, rehabilitate and rehome dogs in need. They have more than 100 dogs of all different breeds in their care and have adoption days once a month.
More information at instagram.com/amandasanimalrescue
Stray Dogs Centre
Founded by Amirah Williams in 2013, Stray Dogs Centre in Umm Al Quwain is the largest privately run dog rescue shelter in the UAE and has support from the emirate's royal family. It currently has more than 1,300 dogs in its care.
More information at straydogscenteruae.com
House of Hounds
The group started in 2015 and takes in stray, neglected, abandoned and surrendered Salukis and other sighthound breeds such as greyhounds, whippets and Saluki mixes. The centre also occasionally has other breeds in its care.
More information at houseofhoundsuae.com
RAK Animal Welfare Centre
The shelter, which is supported by the government of Ras Al Khaimah and opened in 2010, looks to rehome socialised, trained and healthy dogs. The centre has a site in Al Jazira, which is open from Thursday to Tuesday, from 9am to 6pm.
More information at rakawc.com
Abu Dhabi Animal Shelter
The Abu Dhabi Animal Shelter is managed by Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital and has been operational since 2010. All dogs are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and treated for fleas and worms before going up for adoption. Those looking for a specific breed can also use the “Wish a Pet” section of the website to fill out a form, in case that specific breed becomes available.
More information at www.abudhabianimalshelter.com
Sharjah Cats and Dog Shelter
The Sharjah Cats and Dogs Shelter is a non-profit that rescues abandoned pets and finds them homes. It has a physical location on Airport Road in Muzairah and is open to walk-in visitors from Monday to Thursday, 8am to 3pm and Sunday 2pm to 6pm. It is closed on Fridays and Saturdays. All pets are spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped.
More information at epaashj.ae
