Al Dhaid A chorus of excited barks is the first thing that greets visitors when they set foot inside a dog sanctuary on the outskirts of Al Dhaid, around 60km from Dubai.
The four-acre private farm is also home to horses, emus, cows and birds, who are all kept in separate large enclosures and there is also a stable and walking area for the horses.
However it is the dogs that make the most noise and demand the most attention.
In total there are 60 canines of which 45 have been saved from the streets or after having been given up by owners who can no longer look after them.
The farm is owned by Christine Gruber who runs the day-to-day activities along with her friend Bianca De Silva, a dog trainer, who has her own farm nearby, where she breeds Dobermans.
The two also breed German shepherds and saluki hunting dogs, besides offering a dog boarding service for owners who can leave their pets to be looked after when they go on holiday.
No euthanasia policy
The need to home abandoned dogs has grown because the financial crisis has forced many owners to leave their pets, putting intense pressure on organisations like K9 Friends, in Jebel Ali, which is full with over 100 dogs under its roof. “Unlike many other rescue centres we have a strict no euthanasia policy, so every dog we take in is looked after until they find a new home,'' Gruber said.
“We don't believe it is right that some other centre puts down perfectly healthy animals because they are old just to make space for new arrivals.''
The centre is paid for almost exclusively out of the pockets of the two women who generate funds through hospitality services and breeding dogs which can bring in up to Dh4,000 per puppy.
The sanctuary is run on a private basis and funding is raised through the dog breeding business, which has a two-year waiting list, and public support.
“We have people driving from as far as Abu Dhabi to bring us dog food and toys and that really makes a big difference for us,'' De Silva said.
The farm also has a separate area featuring 12 climate-controlled dog houses and pens where busy owners can drop off their dogs for a day or a few weeks if they go on holiday. Ajman Police have also donated some dog training equipment to help.
Maintenance cost
Maintaining the centre does not come cheap. The food bill per month alone is Dh9,000 and it costs Dh1,200 to build a new shelter pen. Vaccinations cost Dh150 per canine and there is a monthly cost of Dh400 for de-worming pills.
The work of the sanctuary has spread by word of mouth over the years and they find unwanted dogs left outside their door almost on a weekly basis.
The animals are kept in large pens where they have room to run around and play. “We keep the dogs in packs so they get used to social situations,'' Gruber said.
The canines are given the chance to stretch their legs by having the run of the farm. “We have noticed more people leaving their dogs with us, especially expats who have lost their jobs in the credit crunch and heading home,'' De Silva added. “We try to educate these people on how to take their dogs with them, because most of the time they are happy to take back household items so it seems strange they are not willing to take an animal that has been part of their family for many years. It's very hard for us to understand how people can do this,'' she said.
The farm recently managed to provide homes to 18 dogs, following an appeal on June 2.
“Usually it's a lot easier to get people interested in puppies than older dogs, but we managed to do it. We helped 14 puppies and four adults find new families,'' De Silva said.
“Since then the response we have had [mainly from the expat population] wanting to adopt dogs has been amazing,'' she said.
A dog café
The two woman also plan to launch the UAE's first dog café at the farm during winter where dog owners can meet and socialise, while their pets play.
De Silva said: “We have also had a lot of interest from people wanting to stay here on short breaks so we are thinking about putting up a few bungalows people can use.
“We have to do everything step-by-step so that is a little far off in the planning process.''
Coming back to people who wish to let go of their pets, another option is to use organisations like K9 Friends.
Martina Boessow, office manager for K9 Friends, told XPRESS that there was a waiting list of 30 to 40 dogs they could not take in because of space constraints.
The non-profit organisation relies totally on public donations and help from around 30 volunteers. Boessow said: “I tell people to try to look after the dogs themselves because at the moment we have no space. “As soon as we re-home a dog then we can take in more. We only euthanise dogs that are sick or aggressive and it's done very rarely.
“In the last 12 months only about six dogs were put down but it's always a last resort and we have recently re-homed a dog who had to have a leg amputated.''
Petshop buys
The credit crunch does not seem to have put off animal lovers from buying new dogs according to pet stores in Dubai.
Shops have admitted to XPRESS that although there had been a slowdown in business they were still doing well.
Puppies remain popular despite costing anything from Dh5,000 up to Dh16,000 for selected breeds.
Brisk business
Magdi Yousuf, showroom manager at the Petzone store near Mazaya Centre, off Shaikh Zayed Road, said they were still doing brisk business. He said: “It's not as busy as it was but we are still selling puppies.''
Many of Yousuf's customers buy to order and the store imports different breeds from abroad.
He said: “The most popular are the smaller breeds like the golden retriever, Yorkshire terrier and Labradors.
“A lot of our customers are regulars who we have built up good relations with over the years and it's a mix of western expats and Emiratis.''
Natalia Dolidze, who owns Pet Habitat in Al Barsha, said the summer was traditionally a slow time for the industry.
She said: “Selling any kind of pet this time of year is difficult but hopefully things will start to pick up in a couple of months.
“Despite the problems with finances we are still finding that people want to adopt a pet dog.''
Your comments
I think it is very nice of these women to take in unwanted animals, but I think they are just adding to the problem by breeding dogs to make money to care for the unwanted dogs. Breeders need to stop breeding. I have had to put down allot of pure bred animals because they have been dumped or can’t be taken care of by their owners. It is very hard to get people that can offer a big dog a home. Sterilize your pets!!!
Aminah, UAE - Dubai
Posted: July 26, 2009, 21:07
Hi, I think these ladies are doing a fabulous job. Is there a way I can get in touch with them? Do you have a contact no. or preferably an email address?
Anonymous, UAE - Dubai
Posted: July 26, 2009, 16:13
I think rather than spending your money on buying pets (5000-16000 AED). Why don't you adopt one instead? This will help get a home for most abandoned pets. People should be responsible that in buying dogs, it's not like buying a toy which you can just dispose if you don't like it anymore. This is a life which needs utmost care and attention, not for fashion accessories. I think Dubai needs to have some places/parks where pets can roam and socialise.
Anonymous, UAE - Dubai
Posted: July 26, 2009, 13:36
Where’s the farm?
Anonymous, UAE - Dubai
Posted: July 26, 2009, 08:40
She's my step mother! Keep the good work Christine(Y) if u need any new workers I am available.
Noora, UAE - Dubai
Posted: July 23, 2009, 12:43
