UMM AL QUWAIN // Animal lover Amirah William, who shares her home with more than 130 abused and abandoned dogs, has been given a plot of land from the municipality to build a shelter for her canine friends.
The 47-year-old was last month told to move the dogs out of her villa in a residential area after her neighbours complained about the noise and smell. She was given two weeks to find the animals a more suitable home.
However, after meeting with municipality officials, she has been given the land she desperately needs in an industrial area.
“I had a meeting last Sunday with Obaid Sultan Towarish, the acting general director of UAQ Municipality, and he told me that Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, the Ruler of UAQ, approved my proposal.
“The municipality wants to create an official name for the shelter and change the name of our group from SOS Animal Rescue Umm Al Quwain to UAQ Centre for Stray Dogs and Cats because it is starting to help with our group.”
Ms William, who moved to the UAE six years ago after converting to Islam in her home country of New Zealand, has been taking in stray animals for the 15 years. She helped to set up SOS Animal Rescue with two other volunteers last year to help rehome the growing number of stray dogs found in the emirate.
Even though she has the land, Ms William’s problems are not over just yet. She still needs Dh100,000 for building works and is hoping for donations from the community.
“Building the centre needs at least Dh100,000 and the thing that will help is the fundraising from donations through our Facebook page,” said Ms William.
Thankfully, Ms William has a few less dogs to worry about after 25 animals were recently found new homes. “Adopters from Dubai and UAQ came and adopted dogs and some fostered dogs for a temporary period until I solve the problem.”
Members of the public who want to adopt a dog or contact Ms William should visit this website.
roueiti@thenational.ae