Dubai community sets up an animal sanctuary

Sireen Khalifa shows visitors around the open farmyard at The Sustainable City, Dubai, that is home to rescued and disabled animals, including three donkeys. - Photo by Dhes Handumon

More than 20 rescued and disabled animals, including donkeys and goats, have recently taken shelter in a newly established animal sanctuary within The Sustainable City (TSC) complex in Dubai.
The sanctuary, which opened last month and is the first of its kind within a residential community here, allows the 2,000 residents living there to interact with their new, furry and feathery neighbours on a daily basis. Even those from outside the complex can visit the animals. 
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Sireen Khalifa, a resident of TSC and founder of the sanctuary, said the open farmyard concept plays into the whole ethos of environment-conscious living.
"Animals are part and parcel of our natural and social ecosystem. There can be no sustainability without the respect for our planet and the animals that share it with us. You can have solar panels, do energy-saving methods in your home, but if you don't respect the trees, plants, and the animals that live among us, it will be useless because it is all connected." Khalifa made it her mission to make animals part of the residents' everyday lives. But the move was two-fold.
Comprising rescued, senior and disabled animals, the sanctuary has given them a second chance at life, too. 
Housing three donkeys, two goats, 15 chickens, 22 ducks, six turtles and two tortoises, this is a hands-on sanctuary where residents are encouraged to help get involved by feeding the animals and mucking out when needed. Additionally, they can help themselves to the eggs laid by the chickens, whenever they want, free of charge.
Founded on the idea that every experience is an "opportunity for personal growth", Khalifa said the sanctuary is not only a new haven for the animals, but a chance for people to learn from them, too.
"Animals help children develop their nurturing and empathy skills. They provide companionship to people, and they can teach children the practical skills needed in owning a pet."
When it comes to some of the new residents housed within the sanctuary, Khalifa personally helped rescue some of them.
"The three donkeys were found in a farm and they weren't well looked after. So a person I knew rescued them and kept them in their back garden for some time, and I rescued them from there."
In addition to the new animal sanctuary, TSC also has its own Bee Garden, which is home to about 100,000 honey bees. Adjacent to the sanctuary is a dog park.
Residents welcome furry neighbours
A new member of The Sustainable City community, Scottish expatriate Niki Neumann said the sanctuary is now a daily visit spot for her and her 20-month-old son Theo.
"There is nothing like it here. Here we are living in a city but on our doorstep is a little animal farm. It's a great learning curve for Theo and every time we head home from nursery, we always stop by to feed the goats and donkeys. I think I've spent more on carrots for them than I have on my own family," she said.
For Hungarian expatriate Nicoletta Drabek, it provides a hands-on experience for her young son, which is something they can't offer him at home.
"It's just surreal to have it so close to home. We are lucky because for kids, it's just a great opportunity to get up close and personal with the animals, whenever they want. He asks questions about them and is intrigued by how they live."
kelly@khaleejtimes.com