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'We heard animals cry for help at UAE market'

Sharjah - When Khaleej Times spoke to veterinarians and residents here, there were a lot of fingers being pointed at the Sharjah Animal Market.

When news broke last week that four lions were among the latest exotic pets to be confiscated from homes in Sharjah, it reignited a debate that has long been a point of contention here: Animal welfare.
In the UAE, it's not just zoos where you'll find lions, tigers and crocodiles at, as these once wild pets are being confined to cages at homes, too. Flaunted as trophies to portray a status of wealth, it is hard to fathom how such ownership is still continuing here.
Despite the efforts of the UAE customs and dedicated authorities to stop the illegal trafficking/trade of domestic and exotic animals, they are still getting into the country, and people are continuing to make money from them.
When Khaleej Times spoke to veterinarians and residents here, there were a lot of fingers being pointed at the Sharjah Animal Market.
This market has built up a bad reputation over the years because of its alleged ill-treatment of animals. So when this reporter posed as a 'curious tourist' to see how easy it was to get her hands on an exotic pet, there was one positive that came from the experience: The mission proved unsuccessful as no one took the bait.
The fact that it is no longer so easy to pick up these animals is testament that actions are being taken to reduce the issue of domesticating exotic pets here.
But that was where the positives ended at the market. From severe overcrowding to blatant lack of nutrition for animals, the visit was eye-opening. With barely a litter tray in sight and many hazardous housing units acting as homes for distressed animals, it was an uncomfortable vision to behold.
Big business
But sadly, Dr Sara Elliott, founder of British Veterinary Hospital Dubai told Khaleej Times that animals are seen as big business here.
"These market traders are out to make big bucks but they are filtering very little cash into the maintenance and upkeep of these animals."
She said in most cases, the animals for sale are fed "cheap feed" and the seller has little disease knowledge, which often leads to a huge spread of illness.
"We treat so many cases where animals are brought in with pre-existing diseases like circa-virus, which is like AIDs for birds, and respiratory infections."
Two words also proved synonymous with the animal market: "Pet recycling".
The former of these words is more often associated with positive connotations relating to sustainability, but in laymen's terms, it is the practice of stealing pets for sale.
Gaelin Gray, member of the Bin Kitty Collective Facebook Group, said: "Some of our members have reported their animals missing and have apparently found them at the market."
Although Khaleej Times cannot confirm or deny these claims, several pet owners shared their stories of pets going 'missing', where evidence strongly suggests foul play (see Vox-Pop below).
There is no doubt that there is a long way to go when it comes to the progression of animal welfare here, but Dr Elliott said the battle will continue.
"We are trying to work together with the municipalities to ensure the welfare of our animals. When you look at the Birds and Pets Market in Dubai, they now have a two-week quarantine period for animals. They are working towards improved hygiene too. They are being proactive."
But educating people is a different job altogether. The aim now is to encourage potential owners to make "informed decisions" when taking on a pet. "We witness a lot of impulse pet buying here because of the availability of animals in these markets."
But impulse buys leads to higher rates of abandonment, she said, as people quickly lose interest in animals or simply cannot care for them. So whether a lion, cheetah, hamster or cat, it's time to look past the latest pet fad, and think about the welfare of the animal before filling another person's pocket.
After all, it's the animals that are bearing the brunt, not you.