Why pets are abandoned

Montserrat Martin, founder of animal rescue group The Animal Project, explains why so many animals are found abandoned in the country.

She said: “Many expatriates come to the UAE, work for a short time and then leave. They have a new lifestyle here and get things that they don’t think about in their home countries. This includes a pet. But, they never make provisions of what to do in the future if they leave.”

So, if they do decide to leave the country, they usually pass the pet onto a friend, who is not attached to the animal and ends up either abandoning it or putting it up for adoption.

Martin said: “We find animals in such terrible situations. There are so many animals in the UAE looking to be helped. If you aren’t sure and not planning for 15 years ahead, simply foster. A lot of animals are being put to sleep because they don’t have homes. So, contact animal welfare groups and be part of the solution, not the problem.” Additionally, if relocating pets with you when moving, the basic requirements to relocate your pet include an export permit, an official veterinary certificate, a valid rabies vaccination between one year and 30 days, proof that the animal is microchipped, and a travel box that meets International Air Transport Association (IATA) guidelines. Each airline has different rules when it comes to transporting animals, so it is recommended to check before booking tickets.