As expatriates rush to leave the Gulf amid escalating regional conflict, animal welfare groups in Dubai say a disturbing trend is emerging: pets abandoned as families scramble to escape.

Animal shelters and veterinary clinics across the United Arab Emirates report a surge in desperate calls from owners seeking to rehome animals before boarding flights out of the region. Some pets have been found tied to lamp posts or left without food and water.

Shelters Swamped by Sudden Wave of Abandonment

Rescue organisations say the situation has deteriorated rapidly.

Volunteers at K9 Friends Dubai report an influx of abandoned puppies and urgent requests from owners who no longer want to take their animals with them. At pet boarding centre The Barking Lot, staff say shelters are already “at breaking point”.

Rescue workers warn hundreds more animals than usual are now arriving at facilities already stretched thin.

Airlines Ground Pet Travel, Leaving Owners Trapped

The crisis is partly being driven by travel restrictions.

Reduced flight schedules mean airlines are not accepting animals on many routes. Mandatory rabies vaccination rules can also delay pet relocation by several weeks — a barrier for families trying to leave quickly.

As a result, some owners claim they have no practical way to transport their animals out of the region.

Disturbing Reports From Clinics and Borders

Veterinary clinics say the pressure is turning darker.

Some vets report owners asking about euthanising healthy animals rather than paying relocation costs or dealing with paperwork. Animal sanctuary workers say others have simply abandoned pets in desert areas near the border with Oman after being told animals could not cross.

Rescuers claim several dogs have been found injured or killed in those areas.

Rescuers Condemn ‘Heartless’ Decisions

Animal welfare advocates say the behaviour is unacceptable.

At the Six Hounds Animal Sanctuary, volunteers say boxes of kittens and abandoned dogs are arriving daily. Charities warn the trend mirrors patterns seen during conflicts in places such as Iraq and Ukraine.

With more than 100,000 British nationals registered in the region through the UK Foreign Office, rescuers fear the surge in abandoned animals may only just be beginning.

Expats fleeing Dubai abandon pets as they flee war-hit Gulf state

If you take on a dog, then you dont abandon it.

To do so says a lot about you!

17 minutes ago, JAG said:

If you take on a dog, then you dont abandon it.

To do so says a lot about you!

Ive seen a couple of dogs abandoned in Thailand too. Smh. Its not a pet rock folks.

23 minutes ago, blaze master said:

Ive seen a couple of dogs abandoned in Thailand too. Smh. Its not a pet rock folks.

Ive seen a few British lads walking hand in hand with a dog down soi 6!

10 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

Ive seen a few British lads walking hand in hand with a dog down soi 6!

I myself have had a few mutts in my day 😆

16 minutes ago, blaze master said:

I myself have had a few mutts in my day 😆

I hope you didn't abandon them.

31 minutes ago, bannork said:

I hope you didn't abandon them.

I did not....they abandoned me.

Even after I bought them a new kennel got them new fancy collars. Took them for grooming sessions and even paid for all their food.

Only to find out in the end they already had an owner.

Rabid dogs soon?

Seems the UAE is losing it's

allure .⁶