The war in Iran and its extension to the Middle East countries is pushing thousands of expatriates to abandon their residences in different countries. This hasty transfer is leaving a silent trail of victims: dogs and cats that are abandoned by families who are fleeing and are unable to organize their transfer.
In Dubai, one of the main destinations for Western residents in the region, shelters have warned of a drastic increase in animal abandonment. The RSPCA, a British protector, has warned that pets of UK citizens can become hidden victims of the conflict. Since March 1, some 45,000 Britons have left the Middle East, and the pressure to leave quickly has left many animals in a desperate situation.
“Understandably, people are deeply concerned about their safety amid rising tensions and the prospect of a worsening war. But animals should not become the forgotten victims when people leave a country in crisis,” says a shelter worker.
Local organizations confirm the situation. K9 Friends, dedicated to rescuing abandoned dogs, says that many people are being forced to leave the United Arab Emirates suddenly and that, “unfortunately, many pets are left behind.” Other entities warn that they are at the limit of their capacity. They look saturated, underfunded and understaffed.
Images circulating on social networks show dogs tied to streetlights or animals without water. Although in the United Arab Emirates abandoning a pet is illegal and can lead to high fines, the reality is that the emergency is surpassing control mechanisms.
Given the increase in stray animals, Dubai City Council has launched “Ehsan Stations”, twelve smart devices with artificial intelligence technology installed in parks and other strategic points to feed homeless dogs and cats. The system identifies animals and distributes food in a controlled manner, seeking to avoid disordered feeding and protect both animal welfare and the urban environment.
The RSPCA insists that “pets are totally dependent on their owners. They cannot understand why their family suddenly disappears.”
