Abandoned pets left to fend for themselves as expats rush to flee Middle East conflict
While governments have arranged evacuation flights for stranded citizens, some expatriates are reportedly leaving their pets behind due to travel restrictions, relocation costs or difficulties transporting animals.
Veterinarians and animal welfare volunteers in Dubai say an increasing number of pets are being abandoned as expatriates scramble to leave the United Arab Emirates (UAE) following escalating tensions in the Middle East.
According to a report by The Telegraph, the situation has intensified after Iranian missile strikes targeted sites inside the UAE in retaliation for US and Israeli attacks on Iran.
The developments have prompted many foreign residents to attempt to leave the country. Around 14,000 British nationals have reportedly contacted the UK Foreign Office seeking assistance to depart the region, while the British government has warned against all but essential travel to the area.
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However, while governments have arranged evacuation flights for stranded citizens, some expatriates are reportedly leaving their pets behind due to travel restrictions, relocation costs or difficulties transporting animals.
Veterinary clinics and rescue groups in Dubai say they are seeing a surge in abandoned animals, particularly cats and dogs left on the streets. Some pet owners have also approached veterinary clinics about euthanising their animals.
K9 Friends Dubai, a dog rehoming organisation, said on social media that it had been "overwhelmed with the number of calls for abandoned puppies or owners wanting to leave behind pets".
Aditi Gouri, owner of The Barking Lot, a pet boarding facility in Dubai, told The Telegraph, "Shelters are overcrowded right now and are doing the best they can – we are doing our best to stay as flexible as possible because we understand these are trying times."
Volunteers involved in animal rescue efforts say the number of abandoned pets has risen sharply, placing severe pressure on the limited shelter facilities available in the emirate.
One volunteer, who requested anonymity, said, "I've seen around 200 posts now, on WhatsApp groups and Facebook groups – dogs have been found abandoned on the streets, tied to poles and left behind with no owners found.
"Some vets have even confirmed that owners are coming in to euthanise healthy pets because they don't want to deal with relocation costs or paperwork.
"There is no proper, large-scale shelter system here that can handle this – the few places that exist are always full … on average, I personally receive around five messages a day from people saying that they're leaving, and will put their pet on the street if no one takes it."
There have also been reports of animals being abandoned in desert areas after residents attempting to exit the UAE through neighbouring Oman were reportedly unable to take their pets across the border.
In one case, a resident in Al Ain discovered a crate containing a cat and four kittens left outside her home, accompanied by a note from the owner explaining that they could not take the animals with them while leaving the region.
The animals were reported to be in good health and are now being offered for fostering locally.
Animal rescue groups across the UAE have also shared images on social media showing overcrowded shelters and newly abandoned pets.
One widely circulated photograph showed a dog tied to a lamp post in the Al-Nahda area of Dubai, reportedly left there on Saturday as the conflict began, with no owner present.
A local resident has since taken temporary care of the animal while efforts are made to find it a permanent home.
War Paws, a charity that supports animals affected by armed conflict, criticised the situation and questioned how such abandonment could occur in a wealthy country.
Louise Hastie, the organisation's chief executive officer, said, "It's not just a problem there, 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."
Hastie, who is currently stranded in Iraq due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, said she would personally remain with her rescued animals regardless of the circumstances.
She added that authorities in the UAE should take stronger measures to protect pets and ensure animal welfare during crises.
