PUPPY SEASON
A pet is for life, not just for Christmas, is a message that does not seem to be getting across, say animal rescuers
Animal shelter is bracing for annual influx of dumped gift dogs,
DUBAI // The emirate’s oldest dog rescue centre is preparing for its annual rush, as the novelty of puppies bought as Christmas gifts begins to wear off and owners realise the work, training and love needed to keep a pet. Each year hundreds of dogs are abandoned in the emirate, with staff at K9 Friends Dubai every day taking calls to look after dogs from owners leaving the country or not willing to commit to the effort required to own and care for a pet. The centre, which has been running for 28 years and is close to finding a new home for its 5,000th dog, is housing about 140 dogs, 20 above its capacity.
“We’re always full,” manager Alister Milne said. “There are all sorts of reasons so nothing shocks me any more.” Summer and new year are the busiest times for the centre, which is run by volunteers and supported by sponsorships.
“By February the Christmas puppy is no longer cute and fluffy and still not toilet trained, so we get a bit of a rush then,” Mr Milne said.
“Some realise they’ve made a mistake immediately but from February they begin to realise what they’ve taken on. It’s all too common that dogs are just kicked out on the street.
“It’s also busy before Christmas, when people get rid of dogs to make room for puppies.”
People should research what breed is right for them based on activity and independence, and the size to which the dog will grow, the animal workers said. “Because of more pet shops and people not taking responsibility for their animals, more dogs are abandoned every day,” said Jackie Ratcliffe, one of the founders of K9 Friends.
“It is sad that places like K9 Friends need to exist. If people neutered their animals and took responsibility for their care then we wouldn’t need to exist.
“Sadly, dogs are seen as a throwaway item and people buy them and breed them on a whim.
“We are nearly at our 5,000th dog, and although we neuter every dog that comes through our shelter, abandonment and overbreeding is still such a problem.” Jenie Blanksby adopted pharaoh hound Arnold three months ago after her son Harry fell in love with him while volunteering at the centre.
Someone had cut off Arnold’s ears and tail to prepare him for fighting. The dog, now 3, had spent about half his life at K9.
“Each time he was put forward to a family they didn’t want him because of the way he looked,” said Mrs Blanksby, whose family also has two rescue cats. “We thought my husband was allergic to dogs so we agreed to foster Arnold for two weeks and see how it went with that and the two cats, but as soon as Arnold saw my husband it was mutual love at first sight.”
Mrs Blanksby, who has lived in Dubai for 12 years, said the shelter provided a vital service to the community.
“It’s a very important facility to have,” she said.
“Otherwise, these dogs would die a horrible death. The shelter finds the right family and environment for the dogs, so to find 5,000 matches is really amazing.
“The dogs they have rescued now live all over the world.”