DUBAI VETS OFFER FREE TREATMENT TO STRAYS HURT DURING STORMS
▶ Clinics reopen with skeleton crews to help homeless animals recover after record rain
Veterinary clinics in Dubai are offering free and discounted services to animal lovers who bring in strays injured during the severe storms that battered the UAE over the past week.
The country was hit by extreme weather, which brought more rainfall in a single week than the Emirates would usually expect in a year.
Dubai was affected especially hard, with roads flooded and transport links severely disrupted. Many clinics remained closed on Thursday as a result of flood damage and road closures, but others opened with skeleton staff to care for the country’s most vulnerable animals.
Camelia O’Hara, co-founder of Mike’s Veterinary Clinic in Al Barsha, is offering free consultations for stray cats hurt during the storm.
The clinic advertised the offer on social media on Wednesday and soon had four appointments lined up for Thursday afternoon.
“We’ll always have a sensitive spot for rescuers,” said Ms O’Hara, who spent years rescuing animals with her husband Mike before giving up her job to open the clinic with him last year.
“It’s a humane thing to do at this point, to just help … It’s leaving the financial gains on the side for a little bit and focusing on the bigger picture.”
On Tuesday morning, before the worst storms hit, an Emirati couple brought in two soaked kittens that had been stranded in water for hours. “They were so cold, so we warmed them up, fed them, provided them with kitten milk and sent them home,” said Ms O’Hara.
“We haven’t charged them a dirham. This is who we are, this is the fabric of us as vets.”
From Friday, Pet First Veterinary Clinic on Hessa Street will offer a 50 per cent discount on consultations for clients who have rescued animals.
They also offer teleconsultations for clients who are unable to bring in their pets.
“We have only just opened again,” the clinic’s operations manager Rico Alanan told The National. “We have a skeleton staff, as we have stray cats here right now, and a dog in critical condition that needs 24-hour supervision.
“Luckily we were able to keep the water from coming in, so our clinic is safe, but our neighbour is greatly affected.”
Freelance vet Dr Dina Elgamal, who is set to open her own clinic in JVC next month, has had people calling her from across Dubai all day, but she could not reach them from her home in Remraam because of road closures.
“Animals will be very affected by the water, especially cats, as many are afraid of water,” said Dr Elgamal, who is known in the community for offering discounted rates and free services to clients and rescuers.
“I tried to reach two clients in Remraam, I managed to fix one cat that was vomiting yesterday and put an IV in her for her. She’s doing well now, she’s eating, but the other clients I can’t reach.
“I have had six clients call me from Mudon. One cat was stuck in the water with its tail under the wheels of a car. My client managed to move it and take it home, so I told them on the phone to put a cone on the cat. Anyone calling me for any case, I try to help them on the phone using what they have at home. We can’t even get to the medicine.”
Dubai Hills Estate resident Anandi Spliethoff is a regular client of Dr Elgamal, and was waiting for an appointment for a kitten she rescued on Wednesday. The cat requires surgery to save its paw.
“I don’t know how much it will cost yet, she needs to check for infection first. She will try her best to save the leg, but there’s a high chance we’ll need to amputate.”
Ms Spliethoff, who regularly rescues cats, said she expects the surgery will cost at least a couple of thousand dirhams, even though Dr Elgamal will offer her services for free.
“He might need to stay over at the clinic, get medication, we just don’t know yet.”
If someone finds an injured animal, they should take it to the vet despite the potential costs, said Ms Spliethoff.
“There are a lot of people in the community groups if you cannot pay the bills who will jump in and help.”
A parasitic disease called giardia is likely to spread among dogs and cats after the rain, Ms O’Hara said.
“In case you see symptoms like runny tummy or throwing up, get the animal to a vet immediately for a quick giardia test. It’s non-invasive and takes about five minutes.”
Ms O’Hara said she would be happy to help anyone, and will bring supplies. The clinic offers a free cat care kit, including food, bowls, litter, a litter tray and a blanket.
“It’s for anyone who wants to save a cat and doesn’t know what to do. It has enough supplies for 14 days, as you keep cats in the bathroom to see if they have any diseases.
“We then give a full consultation for free, which includes cleaning, dental, eyes, ears, to make sure we smoothe the journey for anyone who wants to potentially foster. Even if you don’t have the means to adopt an animal, if you need something from us, I will personally drop accessories to someone who wants to foster a cat from the rain in the coming weeks.
“We’re just trying to bridge the gap for people who want to help but don’t know how to, and the animals in distress who could have a complete turnaround with a bit of love and care.”