The mass exodus from missile-hit Dubai has left behind the city’s pets in peril – as animal shelters have become inundated with abandoned dogs and cats left in their care
As regional tensions escalate, it isn’t only humans facing uncertainty.
Thousands of expats are fleeing Dubai – many of them UK nationals escaping the conflict. But vets and animal shelters are reporting a devastating side effect – an unprecedented surge in abandoned pets.
With missiles being intercepted in the skies above the UAE, many owners are fleeing in haste, often finding themselves unable to take their animals with them. Shelters are now overwhelmed, reporting a heartbreaking rise in pets found wandering the streets or left in boxes at their gates.
One UAE sanctuary told The Mirror they have reached full capacity, with the majority of their rescues now coming directly from dumped pups aimlessly walking the streets.
READ MORE: Influencer slammed for ‘abandoning dog’ while fleeing Dubai with family
Anso Stander, the founder of Six Hounds Animal Sanctuary, a self funded animal rescue shelter and sanctuary in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi said she has seen an “alarming increase in animals wandering the streets without owners” and explained: “they have either been surrendered or just abandoned, especially in our neighbouring cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
“During periods of regional uncertainty or sudden relocations, pets unfortunately become some of the first victims when people are willingly fleeing the country. Most commonly now with the current situation I would say the main reason is relocation or fleeing of pet owners, financial burden due to high veterinary costs, and the complexity and cost associated with pet relocation services.”
Airlines aren’t accepting animals due to limited services, which is why people are heartbreakingly having to give up their pets. “Under normal circumstances it’s usually due to financial burden with high medical and living expenses for domestic animals, breeders ‘dumping’ unwanted animals, abused cases, starved animals, overpopulation of domestic animals ending up on the streets with no where to go,” the shelter founder said.
Anso, who is originally from South Africa, said she has been inundated with messages from people begging her to house cats and dogs, and once received 27 messages in just one day.
She added: “People are leaving the country and telling us very politely and discreetly that if we can’t take them, we’re going to leave them. We’re talking about some people with 20 cats who are trying to leave the country.”
Anso also recalled the time she got handed a box of kittens with a heartbreaking handwritten note on it that said: “Kitten 4 and mama cat inside box. I am travelling back to my country because of the situations going on here. I tried to call but no one picked up my calls so I got to know your location. I am so sorry for keeping in front of your gate.”
Currently, she has 10 new born kittens, 220 cats and 34 dogs, in her care, while her friend has 14 puppies she is also trying to adopt for her. “In times like these animals suffer silently. Some may be left behind in the chaos. But we cannot do this alone, we need sponsors for building emergency catio, and kennel structures and for staff, food and vets bills.”
There are also reports of vets having to euthanise healthy pets as their owners don’t want to face the relocation costs or paperwork that comes with fleeing the country. Devastatingly, Anso also knows of two dogs who were shot in the desert.
“It’s a heartbreaking situation, having no funds, no support, struggling to find a solution to feed animals, and paying bills,” she told us.
Slamming some pet owners’ actions, the shelter founder argued: “t’s selfish and heartless and there’s absolutely no reason to panic at all. Let me tell you that this government has got everything under control.”
“Veterinary clinics are sueing us for small outstanding bills that we cant afford due to a lack of support from the community! But it’s still a humble feeling. My love for animals and the reason I help animals is this feeling grounds me. I will never stop helping animals, I wish I could do more and build a proper well functioned shelter and take more animals, but we help as many as we can.”
Pleading for help, she added: “It would really mean so much if people can reach out and we can rehome some animals.Wwe do not have GoFund me accounts in UAE, but we do have legitimate payment links and licenses. We have all been so inundated working around the clock to rescue, and rehome and relocate animals.”
Claire Hopkins, a resident in Dubai who volunteers with several animal organisations and shelters, told Daily Mail they were under severe financial pressure as fund-raising activities are highly regulated and Gofundme pages are banned in Dubai. She explained: “Some pet owners are stressed and panicking. It’s right across the board, and I think the Brits are better than most, but you’re talking about 200 different nationalities here in the UAE.
“Some people want to give back their adoptive pets. There are dogs starting to be abandoned. The airlines aren’t taking animals at the moment anyway as the flights are operating a very reduced service. If you wanted to get a rabies jab, then you have to delay your travel by a further three weeks. I’m sorry to say that vets have had inquiries about euthanasia, which is disgusting. Most vets would pass them on to the shelters, but we’re already full.”
It comes as an influencer has recently been criticised by an animal rights group after revealing she left her pet dog behind while fleeing Dubai. Maddy Burciaga packed up and relocated with her family to Mauritius after the missiles and drone began striking.
The 32-year-old French influencer later told her 2.7 million Instagram followers that her dog had been left behind with the family’s nanny. She said: “It was too complicated because there’s too much paperwork.”
However, the decision sparked huge backlash online, with animal welfare group La Ligue Des Animaux publicly condemning her actions. In a post, the organisation wrote: “Influencer Maddy Burciaga says she left Dubai for Mauritius due to tensions in the region… leaving her dog behind with the nanny on the pretext that it was ‘too complicated because there’s too much paperwork.’
“A dog, for its part, would never leave its human to save its own skin. Dogs are ready to go through a war just to stay with their humans. That’s the difference between loyalty… and comfort.
“Even if she wanted to ‘protect’ her family by taking refuge elsewhere, she could at least have begun preparing to bring her dog back. She has done no such thing. Try asking someone this superficial for strategy or deep reflection… it’s a lost cause. Shame on her.”
The influencer has since hit back at the comments and explained her situation. She said her family had simply gone on a holiday to the island country.
She threatened legal action against the animal rights organisation and blasted: “I would never abandon my dog; my dog is my baby, she’s part of our family. When we go on vacation, Maya is looked after. We didn’t flee Dubai, we went on vacation for a few days to escape the anxiety-inducing atmosphere there. To use our vacation and the ongoing war to claim we abandoned our dog is very low.”The creator and brand owner said her family planned to return to Dubai and said: “Our life is in Dubai. If I had to leave tomorrow, of course I would have done everything I could to make sure Maya came with me if I didn’t intend to come back. In any case, we’re going home, even if the situation doesn’t improve.”
If you would like to support Anso at Six Hounds rescue you can follow @@sixhoundsandco reach out to info@sixhoundscsr.com.
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