UAE: 5 instances when you may be adopting pets for the wrong reason

Pet abandonment cases in the UAE have gone up exponentially with many animal welfare groups saying they are being overwhelmed with the number of pets being abandoned.

Groups like Animals and Us Fujairah (AAUF) and Stray Dog Center UAQ (SDC-UAQ) have posted several incidents on social media over the last couple of weeks about horrific cases of abuse, neglect and abandonment.

This has forced several royal family members to step in, save and in some cases even adopt the animals. Now, animal welfare groups are calling on families to think several times before getting a new pet.

If you plan to adopt a pet for any of the following reasons, you might want to reconsider your decision:

Your child wants it: Many parents end up getting a pet because their child wants one. However, with their short attention spans, children are likely to forget about pets once the novelty wears off. “Before adopting a pet, it is important for the family to sit together and discuss the responsibilities,” said Michelle from AAUF. “If there is any hesitation from any member of the family, then there is always an option for them to foster a pet. By fostering, families will be able to gauge what kind of responsibility goes into caring for a pet and whether it is something they can take on as a regular part of their lives.”

Everyone is getting one: Adopting a pet is a lifelong commitment and should not be taken lightly. Instead of thinking of pets as an accessory or a cute addition to the family photo, animal welfare specialists encourage people to think of them as living beings that need love, care and support. “Many people get pets because it is a trend,” said Michelle. “It is a fad and I believe that is one of the reasons why we see so many instances of pet abandonment.”

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