Numbers of abandoned dogs in UAE soar as owners ‘lose interest’

Animal charities have urged people to be responsible and not to take on puppies unless they are willing to dedicate 15 years or more to its welfare.

Staff and volunteers at K9 Friends animal shelter in Dubai. So far this year, 55 abandoned dogs have been taken in by the centre. Christopher Pike / The National

DUBAI // Internet sales of pedigree dogs are leading to larger numbers being dumped on the streets or in shelters, animal welfare charities warn.

Jackie Ratcliffe, chairwoman of K9 Friends, said people were buying pedigree breeds such as dobermans or huskies because they look “small and cute”, but lose interest when they get older and bigger.

“A lot are found in the street in a terrible state,” Ms Ratcliffe said. “They are covered in ticks and are starving. It is because people buy them as cute puppies and then throw them out.

“People buy a husky, for example, as a puppy thinking they look all cute but when the puppy gets bigger they don’t want it any more.

“They do not know how to handle it. It (the problem) is worse than ever. It is just crazy.”

Hector, a pointer, was found by a member of the public at just 10 months. He was severely malnourished. His protruding ribs were covered in ticks as he wandered the streets looking for food.

While his background is not known, it is thought he had been bought as a puppy then abandoned once he got bigger, said Ms Ratcliffe.

Two rottweilers are also new additions to the K9 centre. They were brought in by their owner who said he could no longer care for them.

A quick browse of the internet brings up dozens of sites offering “adorable pups” for sale in the UAE, but Ms Ratcliffe said people should remember that getting a dog is a big commitment.

“Don’t take on that cute puppy unless you are prepared to dedicate the next 15 years to their care,” she said.

“Animals should not become victims of the throwaway society that we have become.”

So far this year, 55 abandoned dogs have been taken in by the centre in the Jebel Ali industrial estate. Of these, 30 have been pedigree dogs, bucking a previous trend of crossbreeds.

Although the centre has the capacity to hold only 120 dogs, K9 Friends has 138 in boarding.

The centre received 42 calls alone last Saturday from people finding dogs dumped in the street or wanting to get rid of canines.

Hector is lucky. A new home was found for him this week. But the bigger breeds, many of which are not suitable for the extreme heat in the UAE, are often overlooked.

Smaller dogs are easier to find homes for because they are “cuter”, said Ms Ratcliffe.

The problem has also been noticed at Cloud 9, an Abu Dhabi pet hotel.

Afra Al Dhaheri, its Emirati owner, said the problem of buying pets online was that many traders sold puppies when they were too young or not in full health.

“Websites that sell puppies usually fake their documentation,” said Ms Al Dhaheri. “Most of them are taken away from their mothers and sold below the age of six weeks.

“I wouldn’t recommend buying puppies online. You will spend thousands and then receive a sick pet.”

Ms Al Dhaheri said she had definitely seen a rise in the number of pedigree dogs abandoned.

“Many of our clients in Cloud 9 surrender their pedigree pets due to some problem they are facing that could be personal or simply cause they got bored of them and do not want them any more,” she said.

These breeds include Yorkshire and Maltese terriers, chihuahuas, beagles and pugs.

People looking for a dog should visit an animal shelter, Ms Al Dhaheri said.

“Not only will you save money but also a life,” she said.

Ms Ratcliffe said pets for sale online was not the only contributing factor to the larger number of dogs dumped.

“The market is being flooded with animals. New websites and pet shops are opening daily and a pet souq in Dubai is planned,” she said.

She said many people thought it was a good idea to breed dogs before thinking it through.

“We neuter all of our dogs as we have no wish to add to the unwanted dog population, yet daily we are called about dogs and puppies needing somewhere to go,” Ms Ratcliffe said.

“The stray and abandoned animal population is bigger than it has ever been.”