Overview
- Local groups including K9 Friends Dubai, The Barking Lot and UAE Animal Community report a flood of calls, with shelters at or beyond capacity.
- Veterinarians have received requests to euthanize healthy animals to avoid transport costs and paperwork, according to multiple reports.
- Photos and posts circulating on social media show animals tied to posts, left in boxes or dropped at shelter gates as owners depart the city.
- Rescue workers describe distressing cases, including a mother cat with four kittens left with a note, and reports of dogs found shot in the desert.
- Pet relocation is constrained by vaccination windows, blood tests, health certificates, airline policies and costs reported up to about €6,900, prompting calls from advocates such as War Paws for stronger government action.