I’m interested in getting a pet dog in Abu Dhabi. Where can I get one from, and is it practical to own a dog in the city?
A lot of us know that owning a dog can thoroughly enrich one’s life, after all, who else offers you complete loyalty and unconditional love? Unfortunately, many people rush into dog ownership without fully weighing up the consequences, hence it’s a sad fact that every year scores of animals are abandoned in Abu Dhabi.
Strays of Abu Dhabi (SAD) is a charity that finds homes for these unwanted pooches. The organisation’s spokeswoman Kathleen Beesley has some sage advice if you are thinking of obtaining a dog. ‘When people want to get a dog, their first thought is usually: I want a puppy. But puppies are very time consuming, because of training. If you can’t find time to do this, when it gets older, you’ll have an unruly dog on your hands.’ So if your free time is limited, she suggests adopting an older dog from SAD or one of the similar organisations in the city.
Other issues that need to be considered are whether animals are allowed in your building, and whether you live somewhere where it’s convenient to walk a dog. Earlier this year, Abu Dhabi Municipality banned dogs from public beaches, malls and parks after some owners were not cleaning up their pet’s mess. The Municipality says specified dog walking areas will be set up soon, but at the moment places to excercise your pet exercise are severely limited.
Also, be very careful about which breed of dog you buy. Kathleen says Huskies are very popular, but their thick coat has been bred for sub-zero temperatures and they’re likely to suffer greatly in the desert heat. So choose a short-haired dog instead.
Another point worth taking note of is if you do decide to leave the UAE, how will you be taking your pet with you? Kathleen advises making sure your pet’s vaccinations are always up to date, and you have the correct paperwork, as this will make transporting your pet back to your home country a lot easier.
Kathleen’s final piece of advice is a well-used adage. ‘Remember, a dog is for life. Dogs live between 10 and 15 years, depending on the size. It is a living being and deciding to own a dog requires many years of commitment. It’s not a fashion accessory or a toy, and you need to be serious about taking on such responsibility.’
For more information about SAD, visit www.straysofabudhabi.com.
