Abu Dhabi vet clinic offers low cost services to help stray animals

The clinic in Al Bateen claims it is trying to help people who want to take care of animals, but cannot afford costly treatments

Susan Aylott is a partner at Animalia, a new community-centric clinic for animal welfare in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

The vet clinic sells pet health and wellness packages at reduced prices to those looking to help abandoned cats and dogs. Victor Besa / The National

A fish hook taken out of a stray cat's stomach. Victor Besa / The National

Amer Grizic, head veterinarian at Animalia, with an injured cat. Victor Besa /The National

A rescued stray cat at the clinic. Victor Besa /The National

The clinic opened this week in Marasay, Al Bateen. Victor Besa /The National

A veterinary clinic in Abu Dhabi has offered low cost services to help stray animals in need of life-saving medical treatment.

Animalia, a new community-centric clinic for animal welfare, said it is selling pet health and wellness packages to rescuers at reduced prices to help abandoned cats and dogs.

The team said it is trying to help people who want to take care of animals, but cannot afford costly pet treatments due to salary reductions or job cuts.

There has been an increase in the number of animals left on the streets after many residents have been faced with pay cuts and redundancies.

“Vets are expensive because they have to cover costs and their overheads,” said Susan Aylott, one of the partners who started the clinic, which opened this week in Marasay, Al Bateen.

“But with this, the doctors give their time for free, so the packages just cover the costs of the medication, and things like this.”

The clinic has two discounted options: people can either choose to buy one of two community care packages, or purchase a gift of life service, by paying what they can afford.

“For the gift of life packages, you can give any denomination,” said Ms Aylott.

“Because we are not allowed to ask for donations, this is a gift of life voucher that anyone can buy and this gives back to people who can’t afford veterinary care.”

In return, they will receive a print by a local artist.

“So it also helps the artist out by raising their profile,” she said.

And once the clinic has sold enough gift of life vouchers, they will open for a day to allow rescuers to bring in street animals for free treatment.

Basic community care packages cost Dh80 for male cats or Dh110 for female cats.

It covers a vet consultation, general check up, dental check and sterilisation.

Comprehensive packages cost Dh250 for a male cat or Dh300 for a female cat.

These also cover vaccinations, parasite treatment and procedures which must be carried out under anaesthesia, such as wound cleaning, abscess draining or tooth removal.

“This is the way everybody can help join forces and really just improve animal welfare and they get something back as well,” said Ms Aylott.

“They are purchasing a service and they feel good. It’s a way of giving back.”