Animal Rescuers Plead With Owners Not to Abandon Pets Amid Dubai Evacuations

As the conflict in Iran continues and missiles strike Gulf countries, reports are emerging of a growing animal welfare crisis in Dubai. As some residents leave the country, hundreds of pets have reportedly been abandoned—left on the streets, discovered in empty apartments, or dropped near shelters already at capacity. One dog was reportedly found tied so tightly to a lamp post that his collar cut into his neck. There are even heartbreaking reports of cats and dogs being abandoned in the desert near borders.

Rescue organizations in United Arab Emirates (UAE) say they are being overwhelmed by the sudden influx of phone calls from owners desperate to hand over their animals. Veterinarians are also being inundated with requests to euthanize healthy pets whose owners can’t take them or won’t take the steps necessary to secure them passage with a relocation agency.

K9 Friends Dubai, a rescue that works to find dogs homes in the UAE, said that they have been “overwhelmed” with reports of abandonment. The Barking Lot, a pet boarding service in Dubai, told the Telegraph they are trying to stay as flexible as possible given the demand, but shelters are “overflowing.” Owner Aditi Gouri said, “Volunteers at animal rescue centres have reported hundreds more abandoned pets than usual, which is leaving shelters at breaking point with some now unable to care for all the animals.”

It’s a crisis that some international pet rescue agencies have seen before when geopolitical conflicts arise. But they are critical of pet owners who are panicking and not taking the steps available to bring their pets with them.

Louise Hastie, CEO of War Paws, an animal charity that supports animals during times of conflict, said, “It’s happening across Iraq and Ukraine as well …some people just don’t see pets the way we do. Abandoning pets at the border or on the streets, not even leaving them with the vet – there’s really no excuse for it. Dubai is an affluent country.”

Pen Farthing, the founder of Nowzad, a charity that helps provide animal welfare in war zones, told LBC he sees the actions as being like leaving one of your family behind. “I understand how people can feel incredibly scared and they want to actually leave. I do question though their motivation with having an animal in the first place by then just abandoning it so they can leave themselves. In my case I would stay and obviously be there with my dog or cat and shelter in place until I could leave with it.”

He pointed out that international rules about transporting pets are in place and that rabies is a major issue. If pets are not vaccinated, they cannot be evacuated. If they are vaccinated, they can travel through pet transportation agencies, which are currently incredibly busy. There are relocation companies that can help arrange for pets to be transported to other countries.

This is what K9 Friends Dubai recommends and they are extending their help. They wrote on Facebook, “We understand the situation is tense and there might be families trying to return to their home countries for safety, we urge you to take your pets with you. If you need contacts and relocation company information on how to take your pets back with you please call our office or DM us for the appropriate contacts.”

They also warned animal lovers wishing to donate to help animals during the crisis to trust verified and registered animal welfare organizations, warning, “Please do not trust unverified or non-registered WhatsApp groups or GoFundMe pages….During times like this, it is extremely important to support verified and registered animal welfare organizations. We strongly urge the community not to donate to or rely on WhatsApp groups or GoFundMe pages that are not registered with the CDA or relevant UAE authorities, as these cannot be verified. Supporting legitimate organizations ensures that help reaches the animals that truly need it.”

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