In Turkish we have a saying; a fruit bearing tree always gets stoned. This is what comes to mind while having a chat with operational manager, Amer Abu Aabed, and Dr. Margit Muller, who is director of Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital Animal Shelter. It’s in response to Amer’s comment about receiving criticism for the work they do. ‘What is the point of this?’ He’s been asked time and time again. Absurd, really.
On that note, we invite all the denizens of Abu Dhabi to visit the ADFH animal shelter. Mind you, it gets rather noisy in the dog kennels, because they all start barking excitedly at the prospect of a visitor. It’s both a joyful and a heart-wrenching sound. Up on its hind legs, tail wagging with glee, one dog’s hopeful, oil-puddle eyes, had us floored. It was a young Husky. Hard to believe you’d find an exotic breed in a shelter, but this is the case. And for some reason there is a surplus of Salukis, many with litters. It’s the same with the cats. Siamese, Arabian Maus, Persians, British blues – animals that don’t stand a chance on the streets, and particularly in the heat of our climate.
‘When we started this, we were surprised ourselves about what kind of animals we were getting,’ says Dr. Margit. ‘Our very first dog that got adopted was a pure Saluki. It went to a nice family and now it’s the big star of the whole compound. No one can believe that it’s an animal that came from a shelter.’
Dr. Margit has been with ADFH since 2001. She reminisces fondly about how things developed out here. ‘In 2007 we diversified our services and opened up for tourism to allow people to experience falcons as the heritage of Abu Dhabi.’ From there, it seems, things took off. What started off as a hospital only for falcons, has expanded over the years to become a large complex which encompasses boarding kennels (for birds, dogs and cats), a fully fledged veterinary clinic with a large intensive care station, a grooming parlour, an agility centre for dogs, and of course the shelter.
It was in 2010 that the executive council of the government of Abu Dhabi put the ADFH in charge of the management of Abu Dhabi’s animal shelter. Expansions were required and building work was completed only last summer. Still, the response they’ve been getting from the public to date has been phenomenal. ‘Last year 324 pets were adopted, which is great considering we had just started off. This year, we’ve already rehomed 57.’ That’s 57 in less than two months. If this goes on, they’ll be doubling 2011’s figures.
When an animal is brought to the centre, they’re put into quarantine in the first instance. There, it undergoes checkups, and is treated if there is a need. ADFH also vaccinate the animals and neuter them before they’re put up for adoption. ‘The idea is that you will adopt a healthy animal that has been vaccinated, neutered, de-wormed and that is clean and healthy. That’s very important for people to know.’ Another thing that is important is the guidance and support that ADFH staff provide when someone comes in to adopt. ‘We try to help people who come to adopt, to find the right pet for them,’ says Dr. Margit. ‘We know what character the animals have. Sometimes you get cats that are a bit sleepy and lazy and they just want to play for one or two hours a day. These cats are perfect for people who are working. Other times you get the ones that want to play and run around the whole day, and they are perfect for families with children. Of course it’s up to you what you decide to choose, but we give that advice and guidance.’
To us, the work that ADFH are doing could not be more necessary. It also makes little sense that people would spend money at a pet shop when there are so many animals that are waiting for new families. And yet there are even greater benefits to adopting. ‘These animals have lived in difficult conditions,’ says Dr. Margit. ‘They have been on the street. They’ve been abandoned or have lost their family, for whatever reason. So they are so much more appreciative. They give so much more love and affection to the family that takes them. When you adopt, on the one hand you’ll be helping animal welfare, but at the same time you get so much back in return.’
Abu Dhabi Animal Shelter is open Sunday to Thursday 8am-3pm, and on Saturdays from 9am-1pm. Sweihan Road, Al Shamkha www.abudhabianimalshelter.com (02 575 5155).
