Some refugees have been able to take their pets,but others have abandoned them (Picture: Reuters)
As missiles from Iran continue to target neighbouring Gulf Countries,some pet owners are abandoning their animals in the streets to flee.
Veterinarians in Dubai said they’ve seen an influx of inquiries about euthanising pets as the conflict persists,with other owners simply leaving their cats and dogs on the street before fleeing.
K9 Friends Dubai,which works to rehome dogs in the United Arab Emirates,said that they have been ‘overwhelmed’ with reports of abandonment.
A pet boarding service in Dubai,The Barking Lot,told the Telegraph they are trying to stay as flexible as possible,but shelters are ‘overflowing’.
Owner Aditi Gouri said: ‘Volunteers at animal rescue centres have reported hundreds more abandoned pets than usual,which is leaving shelters at breaking point with some now unable to care for all the animals.’
Photos of dogs tied to lamp posts and left without any food or drink have been circulating on social media.
One dog was found tied to a pole (Picture: LBC)
A volunteer at The Barking Lot added: ‘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.’
Some residents of the UAE who tried to flee through Oman were told they couldn’t take their pets over the border – meaning many cats and dogs were abandoned in the desert.
War Paws,a charity which supports animals during times of conflict,said animal abandonment during conflict isn’t a new issue.
CEO Louise Hastie said: ‘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.’
Britons continue to remain stranded throughout the Middle East,with more than 100,000 having registered their presence with the Foreign Office amid evacuation planning.
Large areas of airspace over the region remain closed because of the fighting,and tourism safe spots like Dubai have come under fire in missile attacks.
One note left with a box of kittens and their mum read: ‘I am travelling back to my country because of the situation going on here.
‘I tried to call,but no one picked up my calls,so I got to your location.
‘I am so sorry for standing in front of your gate.’
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