Dubai: Online ads displaying abandoned dogs have been posted online as a part of a new campaign to raise awareness about the increase in the number of dogs being dumped during the summer months.
The campaign, ‘#adoptinvaluabledogs’ launched by K9 Friends in partnership with Saatchi&Saatchi, aims to shed light on the ongoing issue of abandoned dogs being viewed as second-hand goods and mistreated by owners who no longer want them.
“There is always a surge in the number of dogs getting abandoned during the summer months. People just pack up and leave. This also usually means that their dog gets abandoned along with all of the other items that they don’t want,” said Samer Zouehid, associate creative director, Saatchi&Saatchi.
He pointed out that 52 ads labelled ‘second-hand dogs’ were posted on a popular Dubai online shopping platform in different categories that ranged from electronics to furniture as a part of the campaign.
The campaign’s main goal is to provoke a reaction by starting a conversation about how people treat their pets, and to encourage more people to ‘adopt invaluable dogs’.
“In the short term, we would like this campaign to find these dogs a forever home — and in the long term, hopefully, this campaign can create a shift in behaviour, with more people adopting than buying pets,” said Zouehid.
K9 Friends, one of Dubai’s few dog shelters, currently has 130 dogs and puppies, 15 of which are in foster homes.
Helen Bragger, manager of K9 Friends, told Gulf News the dogs can live in the shelter for a few days to as long as a few years. “We find that pure breeds, small dogs and puppies don’t spend long at the shelter, whereas crossbreed dogs that are over six months old can spend years at the shelter,” she said.
Witnessing many cases of neglect over the years, Bragger said the reasons behind mistreatment range from people relocating without their dogs, to people buying puppies without realising that they will grow into large dogs that need training. “As a result, they end up abandoning them. Recently we took in two puppies who had been tied to a tree in a park and left to fend for themselves in the summer heat,” said Bragger.
The shelter receives calls all year round from people who want to give up their dogs, with many calls coming from those who are leaving Dubai for good.
Bragger also pointed out that many Dubai residents who travel for the summer decide to give up their dogs instead of kennel them.
“In summer, dog owners need to find other ways to stimulate their dogs as it is too hot for long walks. If the owners don’t understand this, then dogs will get bored, which can lead to them being harder to handle. Some owners find this difficult and don’t want to keep the dog anymore,” she explained.
For those who want to buy or adopt a dog, it is important to note that dogs can live between 10 and 15 years, so it is important that the family is willing to care for the dog for its entire life.
“We see lots of families who want a dog for the children, but the parents must also be on board as children can lose interest or, in later years, leave home,” pointed out Bragger.
She urged residents to consider researching all the costs, such as food, vaccinations, registration, boarding and possibly relocation before deciding to get a dog.
Bragger referred to a responsible dog owner as one who feeds the dog the correct diet, always has water available for the dog, vaccinates and registers the dog, gets vet care when required, provides the dog with a safe indoor place to live, and gives the dog the right amount of physical and mental exercise.
She also pointed out that while abandoned and neglected dogs are very common, there are many compassionate and responsible people in Dubai who care about dogs.
“We meet lots of kind families who come and adopt our dogs. Some can’t commit to a full-time dog but support us by fostering or walking our dogs,” she said.
Adoption
Due to the number of unwanted dogs available in Dubai, there is no need to purchase a dog.
“Adoption is important because it is the only chance a rescued dog has of getting the home it deserves. It is also a very rewarding option — not only do you get a wonderful pet but you free up space in the shelter so the next abandoned dog can be rescued,” said Bragger.
All dogs at K9 Friends undergo a health assessment and are vaccinated, chipped and neutered (if old enough) before being put up for adoption. Staff at the shelter are also aware of how some of the dogs behave in a home environment, as some have spent time in foster homes before.
“When adopting a dog from the shelter, one of our homing staff will meet with you to find a suitable dog, based on size, age and most importantly personality,” said Bragger.
