Today I volunteered at a stray dog centre and it was honestly one of the most tiring but also rewarding days of my life.
I LOVE animals and if I could, I would adopt every animal that needed a home. I would just love to give them the awesome life they deserve. Unfortunately this isn’t an option!
It wasn’t until I moved to Dubai that I found out there were so many animals in need of shelter and a loving home, through no fault of their own! So many people abandon their family pets when they leave Dubai! … Honestly I don’t know how anyone could get themselves a pet and then just leave it behind, but they do.
Luckily for these animals there are some lovely people in Dubai who have noticed the rise in stray dogs and have set up shelters which solely depend on donations and help from the public in order to function. One great thing I have noticed since moving to Dubai is that the community really do pull together to help people (or in this case, animals) in need.
I have been following the Stray Dogs Centre UAQ on Facebook for some time now and this weekend we went along to help for the day! It really was a brilliant day and of course I cried!! It just made me feel sad to see such loving animals who had been left in the desert to fend for themselves by the people who were meant to love them.
There were hundreds of dogs in good sized pens, all separated by temperament to avoid them fighting. When the first cage was opened the dogs came sprinting out towards us so happy and over excited for their walks and cuddles!
We put collars and leads on the dogs, one cage at a time, and took them for a walk – there are hundreds of dogs so this took a good few hours and it is HOT in the desert right now!!
As I sit here writing this I have blisters on my feet and I am exhausted but it was such a rewarding day and we got to watch a beautiful sunset!
Stray Dogs Center UAQ not only look after the dogs in their centre but they also feed stray dogs around the area. They ensure all of the dogs are checked over by vets and given the necessary vaccinations.
I think they do an amazing job at this centre and I would encourage you to help in any way you can – everyone can help in one way or another:
Adopt – Foster – Sponsor – Volunteer – Donate – Educate 🙂
Oh and you might be thinking … ‘why don’t you just adopt?’ I often think this too! But then I’m brought back to earth and reminded that I work full time (I would happily stay at home with a dog if I could!) BUT one day I will ADOPT!
I can’t wait to visit again and next time I promise I will take more photos, but for now, check out their website and Facebook page for more information about what they do and how you can help! There are also lots of photos of all the dogs and the volunteers!
Facebook: Stray Dogs Center UAQ
Website: http://www.straydogscenter.com
Laura x
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I’ve heard stories about this! I think it’s so cool what you’re doing and how you’re spreading the word about it!
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Thanks Emily! 🙂
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That’s very nice of.your heart for animals. Always good to help out those in need.
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Interesting article – not a travel experience you normally read about!
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I agree but its certainly something more people should be aware of. Its really sad that people just leave their pets behind!
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I noticed a terrible stray dog problem in Serbia as well. So sad! I’m glad there are people like you who work to make a difference, however small 🙂
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Thank you 🙂
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All over the world I see so many stray dogs – I’m so glad there are people out there like this taking care of them!
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I agree, they’re doing such a good job making sure they have a happy life 🙂
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I always seek out the animal shelters when we are travelling! So many expats just don’t seem to give a shit about their animals! It’s a selfish short term gain only for themselves and they don’t think about the emotional stress the animal feels when they are abandoned!!! Grinds my gears!!
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I agree, it makes me so mad and also really sad to see it. There were almost 200 dogs in this one shelter, all so friendly towards humans. It’s just a heartless this to do!
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I’m very impressed that you went on a walk through the desert with those dogs. I can’t imagine the heat! It’s so horrible to think of people just abandoning their animals like that! I’m glad that in New York we have Animal Care and Control to take animals whose owners truly can’t keep them anymore.
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It was super hot but the sun started to go down and it cooled off! I hope one day they can get something similar out here to look after abandoned pets because its so sad to see.
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Thanks so much for sharing the work of this important organization and for doing your part to help! I’m a huge dog lover and adoption advocate, and it breaks my heart to see that animals are bought and disposed of like belongings not only in the US but all over the world (Also since you work full time, you might want to consider adopting an older dog. My dog is 11 and pretty much sleeps all day :-)).
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I am seriously considering getting an older dog, i would love to let them live out their last years in comfort! It was so sad to see them having to live in cages
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those puppies look super cute! I wish I could adopt one too
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I love that you’ve dedicated a post to this center! I’m a massive dog lover and I hate seeing dogs that have been maltreated or are malnourished. A friend of mine runs an animal charity in Sri Lanka and does tons of work on neuter/spay projects as well as animal welfare education – it is so important!
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What a lovely thing your friend does! I love to help out however i can, its horrible that they’re treated this way but they look so happy when they’re let out their pens 🙂
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