Animal Abandonment Cases Lead Sharjah to Urge Responsible Pet Ownership.

Sharjah Warns Residents Against Abandoning Pets After Rise in Cases

Sharjah Municipality has issued a fresh warning to residents against abandoning pets, following several incidents involving animals being left near the emirate’s Birds and Pet Market.

The municipality said abandoning animals is prohibited under applicable regulations and goes against the principles of responsible pet ownership and animal welfare.

In a statement released on Monday, the authority urged people who are no longer able to care for their pets to follow the proper procedures instead of leaving the animals in public areas or outside shops.

Residents seeking to surrender an animal have been advised to contact the municipality’s call centre on 993. Officials can provide information on whether the animal may be accepted at the Sharjah Cats and Dogs Shelter and whether the facility currently has sufficient space.

The warning was accompanied by video footage showing a young boy leaving an animal inside a cage outside one of the shops at the Birds and Pet Market. The footage was shared by the municipality to highlight the issue and discourage similar incidents.

Shelter admissions depend on available space

Sharjah Municipality explained that requests to surrender animals are not automatically accepted. Each request is considered according to the shelter’s available capacity.

People who contact the authorities to surrender an animal are asked to wait until a suitable space becomes available. Once capacity permits, applicants are contacted and further details are assessed to determine whether the animal can be taken into the shelter.

The municipality also reminded residents that owning a pet involves an ongoing responsibility. This includes ensuring animals have access to appropriate food, veterinary treatment, suitable living conditions and a safe environment.

Owners are also expected to follow the laws and regulations governing the keeping and care of animals in the UAE.

The authority said its efforts are aimed at encouraging a culture of responsible pet ownership while protecting animals from neglect and abandonment.

Shelters provide care for abandoned animals

Authorities across the UAE have introduced various initiatives to address animal welfare and provide assistance to animals that have been abandoned or require new homes.

In Dubai, the municipality established an animal shelter at the Birds and Pets Market in Warsan in July. The facility was created to provide abandoned animals with a secure environment where they can receive treatment and care while awaiting the possibility of being adopted.

The shelter also provides an opportunity for people looking to welcome a cat into their homes to find a suitable companion.

Dubai Municipality operates another facility in Al Khawaneej that accommodates dogs and supports the adoption process.

Animals taken into these shelters receive veterinary attention and care before being considered for placement with suitable families. The initiatives form part of wider efforts to improve animal welfare and encourage residents to understand the responsibilities associated with keeping pets.

UAE emirates strengthen animal welfare measures

Animal welfare has also become a growing focus in other parts of the UAE, including Abu Dhabi, where authorities have introduced measures aimed at improving the identification and registration of domestic animals.

Recent regulations require cats and dogs to be microchipped and registered. Under the system introduced by the Department of Municipalities and Transport, pet owners are required to record their animals through the TAMM platform.

Failure to meet the registration requirements can result in penalties.

The registration system is intended to make it easier for authorities to identify animals, maintain accurate records and monitor ownership. It is also designed to contribute to efforts aimed at reducing the number of stray animals.

By linking microchipped pets to their owners through a centralised database, authorities can improve identification and help ensure animals receive appropriate care.

The system also gives authorities access to more reliable information about pets and their owners, supporting broader animal welfare initiatives.

Previous concerns over abandoned cats

Abandonment of animals has previously attracted attention in Abu Dhabi as well.

In 2023, authorities began investigating reports concerning cats allegedly being left in a desert area. Videos showing several cats in the desert circulated widely on social media at the time.

The incident prompted concern among animal rescue organisations and individuals involved in animal welfare, who expressed their dismay over the reported abandonment.

Such cases have highlighted the importance of ensuring that owners who can no longer look after their animals seek legitimate alternatives rather than leaving pets in locations where they may face hunger, injury, illness, extreme weather or other dangers.

UAE legislation prohibits animal mistreatment

The UAE has laws that provide protection for animals and establish penalties for certain forms of cruelty, neglect and mistreatment.

Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021, which promulgates the Crimes and Penalties Law, contains provisions dealing with offences involving animals.

Under Article 466, penalties may apply to individuals who deliberately and without justification kill or seriously injure certain animals. The provision also addresses situations involving the abandonment of stray animals in circumstances that could create a danger to people.

Other provisions address the killing, poisoning and mistreatment of domesticated or tamed animals.

Article 471 provides for imprisonment of up to one year and/or a fine of up to Dh10,000 for anyone who deliberately and without justification kills or poisons certain domesticated or tamed animals.

Meanwhile, Article 472 provides for a fine of up to Dh5,000 for people who harass, torture or otherwise mistreat domesticated or tamed animals. The provision also covers cases where a person fails to provide necessary care to an animal when they are responsible for looking after it.

The legislation also includes provisions concerning injuries caused to animals belonging to other people.

Under Article 473, a person whose negligence results in an animal or livestock belonging to another person suffering wounds or injuries may face a fine of up to Dh3,000. If the animal dies as a result of that negligence, the fine can reach Dh10,000.

Separate legislation also protects animals from abuse

In addition to the provisions contained in the Crimes and Penalties Law, the UAE has separate legislation concerning the protection of animals.

Federal Law No. 16 of 2007 addresses the protection of animals from abuse and neglect and includes provisions governing the use of animals for scientific experimentation.

Individuals who use animals for scientific experiments without obtaining the necessary authorisation from the relevant department or competent authority can face significant penalties.

Those penalties can include fines ranging from Dh50,000 to Dh200,000 and/or imprisonment for a period of up to one year, depending on the circumstances and applicable provisions.

The legislation reflects the UAE’s broader framework for regulating the treatment of animals and preventing practices considered harmful or abusive.

Authorities have previously warned animal sellers

Animal welfare regulations also apply to the sale of animals.

In 2020, the Federal Public Prosecution warned that individuals who sell sick or injured animals could face substantial penalties.

The warning underlined the responsibility of people involved in the sale of animals to ensure that animals are not subjected to practices that violate applicable welfare requirements.

With shelters, registration systems and animal protection laws operating across different emirates, authorities continue to encourage residents to approach the relevant bodies when they are unable to care for an animal.

For pet owners in Sharjah, the latest warning serves as a reminder that leaving an animal outside a shop, at a market or in another public location is not an appropriate way to surrender a pet.

Instead, residents who are struggling to continue caring for an animal should contact the appropriate authorities and ask about available surrender or rehoming options.

The Sharjah Municipality’s call centre at 993 can be contacted to find out whether an animal can be considered for admission to the Sharjah Cats and Dogs Shelter and whether space is currently available.

By following the proper process, owners can help ensure that animals receive appropriate care and avoid exposing them to the risks associated with abandonment.