Looking for a new pet? The general rule is that it’s always better to adopt than to go to a pet shop. Here are some of our favourite in the UAE.

Don’t get us wrong, not all pet shops are bad but aside from costing a fortune some also support puppy mills. We advise getting a pet from an adoption agency. Not only do they tend to be house trained but it’s also just nice to know that you saved a life.

So whether you’re buying for the first time, or have caved into the idea of ‘the more the merrier’, here are some of the best places to adopt a dog in the UAE.

 

Animal Market 24

This website serves as a marketplace for animals up for adoption. However, you won’t just find dogs, you’ll also get cats, snakes, rabbits, rodents and the odd macaw.

Skyler Animal Market 24

Skyler

This fluffy guy though is called Skyler, and if you’re able to walk past him when he’s sat like this without giving him a belly rub, then you’ve got a heart of steel.

Related Story: Top 5 UAE-Based Charities You Should Be Supporting

K9 Friends

K9 Friends is a completely non-profit, volunteer-run organisation, whose mission is to rescue and re-home stray and abandoned dogs. They’ll help train dogs who perhaps haven’t been properly socialised before, and they offer regular educational talks and tours if you’re looking to learn a thing or two.

Nutmeg K9 Friends

Nutmeg

This lil’ nugget though is called Nutmeg, found on the streets with her mum Custard along with her seven siblings, all of which are up for adoption.

Related Story: UAE Named Happiest Place to Live 

Sniff

With a name that stands for Strays Needing Interim or Furever Friends, this organisation seeks to do just that – rehoming and looking after not just dogs, but all animals.

Candy Sniff

Candy

Pictured above is Candy, a female mixed breed under the age of two who’s looking for her forever home.

Related Story: Top 10 Cats & Dogs On The Internet

Ras Al Khaimah Animal Welfare Centre

RAKAWC are another non-profit organisation that seeks to rehome socialised, trained and healthy cats and dogs who’ve perhaps been abandoned. They’ve also got their own pet shop, vet hospital and animal boarding centre.

Cyrus RAKAWC

Cyrus

This here is Cyrus, a two-year-old Siberian Husky with plenty of energy. While he won’t be pulling any snow-sleds in Dubai, this guy could sure use some company.

Dubai Animal Welfare Society

The DAWS specialise in rescuing, fostering and rehoming strays, as well as trapping, neutering and releasing strays to keep their numbers down. While they don’t have a facility per se, all of the animals in their care live with families, which gives the advantage of the animals not becoming institutionalised.

Susie Dubai Animal Welfare Society

Susie

Above is Susie, who after an unfortunate change to her owner’s lease means that she’s unable to live with her family. So if you’re looking for a family friendly dog, get in touch.

Related Story: Funniest Cat Memes You Need To See

Animal Action UAE

A non-profit organisation whose mission is to save all creatures great and small. It’s run completely by volunteers, all of which have full-time jobs and do it purely out of their love for animals. Unfortunately, they’re at max capacity and can’t accept any more cats or dogs until they manage to shift what they’ve already got. So if you’re looking for a furry friend, get in touch. As motivation, here’s a picture of one of the pups from a recent litter who’s looking for a home.

Baby Animal Welfare Centre uAE

 

Most adoption agencies rely on donations to continue operating. So if you’re unable to adopt and want to help the cause, donations can be made through their individual websites.