Making BFFs (best four-legged friends) at K9 in Dubai

YOU HAVE HEARD the often-quoted line about dogs being man's best friend, but it isn't until you're faced with four-legged troopers who have been abandoned or given up, and still have so much love to give, that you fall hook, line and sinker. We challenge anyone not to feel an overwhelming wave of emotion visiting Dubai's K9 Friends, a voluntary run organisation that rescues and re-homes stray and abandoned dogs, as we did last weekend. Celebrating 30 years of operation next year, we made the journey down to the premises for the inauguration of hotel chain Premier Inn UAE's campaign to support the welfare of the abandoned dog population in the Emirates. The initiative involves giving guests visiting or staying at any Premier Inn hotel in Abu Dhabi and Dubai the opportunity to purchase Pip, a plush Premier Inn toy puppy for just Dhs50. Every purchase of a Pip puppy will support the work of K9 Friends. It's easy: for a reasonable price you receive a lovely toy and help real dogs in the process.
"I'm always impressed when some companies want to come out and do some CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility). It's a no-brainer", said K9 brand ambassador Courtney Brandt. "We're a professionally run and managed organisation, even though it's a volunteer organisation...so it's great when we can enter into a partnership where everybody wins.
"I hope it motivates others to do the same."
Since 1989, K9 Friends has aided over 7000 dogs. Capacity at the Dubai facility is around 130 and is always full, meaning there is a huge number of wagging tails to see and pet and an equal number of mouths to feed. That's before regular vet bills are even taken into consideration.
As well as purchasing a Pip doll, you can help out in many other ways. One Sunday a month, K9 Friends holds a coffee morning highlighting all the aspects with which you can get involved. It's not only about adoption and fostering (although that is probably the greatest effort). You could arrange a time to walk a dog, organise a corporate outing for everyone at your workplace to go dog walking or simply sponsor a dog for Dhs370 per year and much more. Visit k9friends.com for all the info and, if you're heading to a Premier Inn, please #TakePipHome.
david@khaleejtimes.com