Canadian University Dubai helping to raise awareness of plight of abandoned pets
DUBAI, January, 2014: Canadian University Dubai has joined together with Sharjah Cats and Dogs Shelter (SCADS) to help homeless animals in the UAE.
The university providesa venue for SCADS to put the cats and dogs it rescues in the 'shop window' to raise awareness of the plight of the animals amongst students and faculty and increase their chances of finding a new home.
"To have the best chance, the animals need to be in front of prospective owners," said Emma Smith from SCADS, "so it's great that Canadian University Dubai lets us use their facility as that invariably leads to some of them being adopted."
Eight previously unwanted pets were adopted as a result of the visit to the university and many students took to social media to highlight the problems facing abandoned animals in the country each year.
Student Sadia Sheikh, who adopted Falafel the cat, said: "It is tragic what these animals go through and it is wonderful what SCADS do. I wish there more shelters like them across the country.
"I actually went to adopt a dog, but fell in live with a cat and I would adopt more if I could. All these animals need a good home and I was really upset to learn about how many animals are abandoned each year."
SCADS rescues an average of 14 stray cats and dogs each day - over 5,100 each year - and the future is grim for most of them.
"We have to euthanize the majority of animals that we rescue," added Smith, a veterinary technician.
"It's a problem that is getting worse and more opportunities to put the animals up for adoption are needed."
"We usually have a big push at the Dubai Pet Show," she added, "but it doesn't look as though that's happening this year, which is a real blow."
Despite the desperate need to rehouse the animals, they are not just handed over to people who show an interest.
Smith added: "The adoption process is rigorous. Each person is tested and has to fill out a form to show they can care for them.
"You have to understand that it's a commitment for life, so we have a face-to-face to meeting with would-be adopters to get a real sense of how genuine and caring someone is."
Sharajah Cats and Dogs Society is open six days a week (Sunday - Friday) and is open to the public.
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