Rescue workers say pet abandonment is not confined to specific locations.
The issue of abandoned dogs across the United Arab Emirates is far more widespread than many realise, with rescuers warning that impulse adoptions, rising costs, and a lack of awareness are contributing to a growing animal welfare concern.
At the centre of the rescue community is Claire Hopkin, founder of RescueME. Having lived in the UAE for many years, she said she “fell into dog rescue almost by accident” after beginning to help rehome animals informally. What started as a personal effort to match dogs with suitable families gradually developed into a wider mission.
“Finding the right family for the right dog became my focus,” she said. “I worked alongside other rescuers, and eventually the idea for RescueME grew into something bigger.”
Today, RescueME operates as a collaborative platform supporting rescuers across the United Arab Emirates, helping rehome dogs, cats, and rabbits by bringing fragmented rescue efforts into a single coordinated system.
For Serbian expat Andrea Petrovic, her journey into animal welfare began with a deeply personal shift. Coming from an insurance background, she said everything changed after she adopted her dog Pluto.
“My career changed the day I adopted a dog,” she said. “What started as a simple adoption turned into a complete shift in purpose.”
Through Pluto, she developed an interest in animal nutrition, preventive care, and welfare practices that ultimately reshaped her career path. She now works as a Business Development Manager at Wunderdog, a local fresh pet food company, while Pluto has become a certified blood donor, helping save other dogs’ lives.
‘A pet is not a hobby’
Petrovic described pet abandonment as a consequence of unprepared ownership, saying many people adopt animals without fully understanding the long-term responsibility involved.
“A pet is not a temporary hobby or an accessory,” she told Khaleej Times, comparing dog ownership to “having a two-year-old child who depends on you for 10 to 15 years.”
She added that while the United Arab Emirates offers strong opportunities for pet ownership, it also presents challenges such as climate, housing restrictions, and lifestyle pressures that are often underestimated.
Petrovic warned that easy access to pets without proper assessment or preparation contributes significantly to abandonment cases. She called for stronger education and screening before adoption, noting that many people are not mentally, emotionally, or financially prepared.
She also shared the emotional impact abandonment has on animals, including her adopted dog Venus, who required months of rehabilitation to recover from fear and neglect.
‘Dumped everywhere’
Rescue workers say abandonment is not limited to specific locations. Claire Hopkin said animals have been found “dumped in deserts, communities, vets, and even tied to bins in DIFC,” highlighting that abandonment can occur “anywhere and everywhere.”
She noted that organisations such as Animals and Us, Stray Dogs, and RAKAW carry much of the burden, but funding remains the biggest challenge. “The main issue is capital,” she said. “There are vet bills, food costs, shelter expenses; it never stops. No rescuer is without outstanding bills.”
Hopkin also pointed to unregulated breeding as a key driver of overcrowded shelters, adding that even purebred dogs are becoming harder to rehome due to saturation in the market.
She emphasised that many abandonments occur when owners leave the country or underestimate the needs of young dogs. “A dog is for life,” she said. “Make sure you can afford it, train it, and commit to it.”
Calls for stronger laws and accountability
Both Petrovic and Hopkin highlighted gaps in enforcement and penalties for neglect and abandonment, calling for stronger deterrents and tighter regulation of breeders and pet shops.
Rescuers say impulsive purchases—often influenced by social media trends or gifting—remain a major driver of the crisis, alongside growing shelter overcrowding.
Hopkin urged residents to consider adoption over purchasing pets, warning that demand for bought animals is worsening the situation. “The explosion of illegal breeding is insane,” she said. “People see a cute picture online and want to copy it, but they don’t see the responsibility behind it.”
‘Change is urgently needed’
Despite efforts from volunteers, foster families, and rescue groups, both women warned that the system remains under severe strain. Hopkin said many rescuers are personally funding care, while Petrovic stressed that without education and long-term awareness, the cycle will continue.
“The animals never chose this,” Petrovic said. “They suffer because of human decisions. That is why change is urgently needed.”
