Think of your vacation when adopting pets in the UAE

Dubai: With many residents taking breaks away from the UAE this summer, finding temporary accommodation for pets has become a problem.

Most kennelling facilities in the UAE are full throughout July and August and some are even booked up for the summer as early as January.

The Dubai Kennels & Cattery is fully booked until the end of August and has a waiting list of 100 families.

Petzone in Dubai is also full for July and expects August to be the same.

Dr Hardika Al Muhairi at the Al Zubair Animal Care centre, Ajman, said: "We are full at the moment for certain dates in July. People book for summer in January and as soon as summer is over they book for the Christmas period."

In Abu Dhabi, the American Veterinary Clinic Kennels is also fully booked until the end of August.

Dubai's only dog rescue centre K9 friends, is currently running at over-capacity and cannot take any more dogs in.

It is urging dog owners to try to home their animals over the summer. Some dog owners release their pets onto the streets when they cannot find kenneling.

Barbara Murray, Volunteer Office Manager, said: "Our advice if you find a dog is to send us and email with a picture for our lost and found board, because someone might be looking for it. If you own a dog, it is your responsibility to home it. If you can't find kenneling, try to leave your pet with a friend."

She confirmed that Dubai Municipality has a dog warden in the Veterinary Services Section, with limited kennels. If the dogs are microchipped the owners will be sought, but if they are not found the animal is likely to be put down.

Many veterinarians will not agree to put down a healthy animal. Some codes of veterinary ethics state that humane euthanasia (in cases of illness) is ethical.

Pet advice for the summer

- If you are leaving the UAE for a period of time, try to find kenneling for your animals

- If no kenneling is available, try to home the animals temporarily with friends or family

- Animals are the responsibility of the owner, and should not be released onto the streets

- Think about the long-term implications and your personal housing situation when deciding to adopt an animal.