The US-Israel war on Iran sends Dubai residents fleeing, but what they abandoned in their wake has sparked a new nightmare
Forgotten casualties of war.
A heartbreaking reality is unfolding in Dubai right now as many foreign residents, fleeing the escalating US–Israel war on Iran, are abandoning their pets in record numbers. This sudden exodus, driven by missile strikes spreading across Gulf countries, has left animal shelters completely overwhelmed and a disturbing trail of discarded animals in its wake.
According to the NY Post, K9 Friends, a local shelter dedicated to rescuing abandoned dogs, posted on Instagram saying, “Due to the current situation, some people are being forced to leave the UAE suddenly, and sadly many pets are being left behind.” The shelter assured everyone they are doing everything they can to care for these newly abandoned animals while still supporting the dogs already in their care.
Another shelter, Six Hounds, echoed these concerns, stating they are receiving daily requests for help. They mentioned being “overloaded and underfunded and understaffed” in an urgent appeal for assistance. These dedicated groups are really struggling to keep up with the influx while trying to make sense of the lack of empathy of the pet owners.
We’re seeing gut-wrenching footage of abandoned cats and dogs
One particularly sad instance involved a pet owner leaving a mother cat and four kittens inside a crate right outside a local’s house. A note attached to the crate explained the owner was “traveling back to my country because of the situation going on here,” adding, “I am so sorry for keeping in front of your gate.”
There was also footage of a dog tied to a green public bin that went viral, but the alleged owner stepped forward to clarify the situation. They claimed the dog was not abandoned, writing, “The brown dog shown in the video is MY DOG, he was not abandoned or left out on the street, he ran away from the house after the first bomb and I found him 2 days later and took him straight to the vet.” This is an indication of the level of chaos and fear people are experiencing.
It’s important to know that abandoning pets in Dubai is actually illegal under UAE law. It can lead to imprisonment or hefty fines, ranging from AED 10,000 (about $3,800) to over AED 200,000 (around $77,000), depending on how severe the abandonment is.
The animal shelters need all the help they can get
Vets and animal shelters like K9 Friends have been sharing numerous social media posts, expressing how overwhelmed they are and begging the community for assistance. K9 Friends posted, “We have been overwhelmed with the number of calls for abandoned puppies or owners wanting to leave behind pets.” They also extended their gratitude to Dr. Marko and his team at The Veterinary Hospital for their support during this challenging time.
The shelters are also advising pet owners to ensure they leave animals with registered organizations. K9 Friends stressed, “During times like this, it is extremely important to support verified and registered animal welfare organizations.” They urged the community not to donate to or rely on unverified WhatsApp groups or GoFundMe pages, emphasizing that supporting legitimate organizations ensures help reaches the animals who truly need it.
Louise Hastie, CEO of War Paws, a charity that helps animals affected by armed conflict, questioned how such widespread abandonment could occur in an affluent country like Dubai. Hastie noted, “It’s not just a problem there, it’s happening across Iraq and Ukraine as well… some people just don’t see pets the way we do.”
She firmly stated there is “really no excuse” for abandoning pets at borders or on streets, especially when Dubai is so wealthy. There have even been reports of pets being stranded in the desert after residents trying to leave the region via Oman were prevented from taking them across the UAE border.
In a proactive move, Dubai Municipality has introduced ‘Ehsan Stations,’ an AI-based system designed to identify and feed strays. These 12 stations are set to be installed in key locations throughout Dubai. The stations are currently in a pilot phase.
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