2,000 sign petition against Dubai Municipality’s pet market

Dubai: Animal lovers have launched an online campaign against opening of Dubai Municipality’s pet market, saying selling or auctioning of animals would lead to more pet abandonment.

Set to open in May, the pet market will be located on the Dubai-Hatta road. Dubai Municipality said it will help curb the illegal trade of pets. But the move has not gone down well with some animal activists.

“A pet market where animals are sold would only increase the problem of pet abandonment. We urge the authorities to educate people who adopt pets to spay and neuter them. There are a large number of homeless cats and dogs and rehoming them is not easy. Many animals are euthanised daily as they have no takers,” said Louise Arpa De Silva, co founder of Dubai Dogs Trust, a non-profit organisation, which has launched the online campaign. Louise said many people buy pets on a whim. They must understand that a pet is a responsibility, not a toy. You cannot just get rid of it when you are tired or bored.

Abandoned pets

“A large number of pets are abandoned, face neglect and abuse. When their owners don’t want them, they just dump them in shelters. Rehoming abandoned pets is not easy,” said Louise.

“When we give a pet for adoption, we ensure they are in the right hands. We also do regular follow-ups. The aim of the petition is to invest in campaigns and education and help these voiceless creatures,” she told XPRESS.

So far the online petition on www.avaaz.org has got the support of about 2,000 people. Louise said she is hoping to enlist another 3,000 people. “With the support of authorities and other welfare organisations, we aim to help abandoned pets. There is a need to re-enforce UAE Animal Welfare Law 16 and have campaigns to raise awareness,” she said.

Obaid Ebrahim Marzouqi, Head of Markets Management Section, Dubai Municipality told XPRESS: “We are not aware of the online campaign so far, but the new pet market will be a trusted source for people to buy approved pets.”

You Speak: How will the pet market curb illegal trade of animals?

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