If you're looking to add a furry family member to your home, where do you start looking?

Dubai and other Emirates in the UAE have one thing in common, an overwhelming and increasing amount of abandoned household pets and stray dogs and cats. (Blog updated on 20th of May, 2023)

Rather than purchasing animals from a pet shop, reach out to the rescue organizations below. From pure breeds to loveable mutts, from toy to giant-sized breeds, puppies to seniors, your ideal fur-ever pet may be a few clicks away. If you ask us, rescues are Furchild's favourite breed! #rescuepetsareourfavoritebreeds

Not ready to adopt? No problem.

Fostering and volunteering with animal rescue groups within your community are equally important. Supporting these groups plays a vital role in the rehabilitation of animals, and ensures that they can continue helping other animals in desperate need.

Here is a list of rescue groups and organizations (in alphabetical order) that are spread across the UAE: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, RAK, and UAQ. Go out and get involved!

Abu Dhabi Animal Shelter

Get involved: adopt or foster dogs and cats

The Abu Dhabi Animal Shelter for stray cats and dogs was set up by the Abu Dhabi government’s Executive Council in 2010. Their mission is to enhance animal welfare for feral cats and stray dogs as well as abandoned and surrendered cats and dogs by finding suitable loving homes.

• Facebook
• 02 5755155
• info@abudhabianimalshelter.com

Animals and Us Fujairah

Get involved: adopt, volunteer, donate and foster dogs and cats

Amanda's Animal Rescue

Get involved: adopt or foster dogs

Amanda's Animal Rescue started with one determined individual and has grown to six dedicated people and the support of a larger community. Visit the links below to browse through and see if any of the dogs steal your heart! "Saving one dog will not change the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever."

• Facebook
• Instagram

Animals and Us Fujairah

Get involved: adopt, foster and donate dogs.

Is a registered non-profit animal welfare founded in 2006 and licensed by the government in September 2017.

Their goal is to reduce the pain and fear inflicted on animals by humans. We rescue abandoned and stray animals, seek veterinary assistance and help them find forever homes. We also try to educate the public about the responsibility of animal ownership.

Animals and Us work closely with other organizations to promote animal welfare across the UAE.

The founder, Michelle Francis, moved from Kolkata to Fujairah in 2003 to pursue her teaching career; while in Fujairah she faced several cases of animal abuse and neglect, she couldn’t turn a blind eye or walk away. Michelle has dedicated her life to this cause.

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram

Furballs Animal Welfare Org

Get involved: adopt or foster dogs

Furballs is a registered animal welfare organisation that aspires to create a positive impact on the lives of animals in the UAE.

• Instagram
• Facebook

Helping Hands For Small Paws of the UAE

Get involved: adopt and foster small animals. No dogs or cats.

This group advocates for and supports the care of small animals such as rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, chinchillas in Dubai, and the greater UAE.

• Facebook

K9 Friends

Get involved: Adopt, foster, and volunteer with kennels and dog walks, pet transport and sponsorships for dogs

K9 Friends is a very well-known animal shelter in Dubai. Their operation is to rescue and rehome stray and abandoned dogs. They reunite lost dogs with their owners, or care for them until new homes can be found while giving them shelter and high standards of kenneling and veterinary care. They offer extra training and socialisation to those dogs who need it and detailed help and advice to new pet owners. K9 Friends also endeavours to educate the public and to encourage a responsible dog-owning population in the UAE.

Special Events and Offerings:

• The annual fundraiser ball, “The Puppy Ball” is a formal dinner and dance event which is open to all their supporters and friends. 'Pawty' for a cause... it's a blast!
• Educational Talks and Tours: K9 Friends offers regular educational talks and tours for schools and other organised groups in our purpose-built education centre. The talks are given by experienced K9 Friends volunteers.

Contact K9 Friends

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram

RAK AWC - The Ras Al Khaimah Animal Welfare Center

Get involved: adopt, volunteer and foster dogs and cats

The Ras al Khaimah Animal Welfare Centre (RAK AWC) is an animal sanctuary funded by the Government of Ras al Khaimah, with the patronage of His Highness, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras al Khaimah.

The shelter was the idea of one concerned individual and has progressed ever since. The shelter was opened in January 2010 and with the help of a few employees and many volunteers, it has grown into a centre of excellence where the animals of Ras Al Khaimah receive the necessary care. Their mission is to improve the welfare of all the animals in Ras al Khaimah.

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• 056 357 6029
• info@rakawc.com

Second Wags

Get involved: adopt and foster

A licensed organisation giving doggies around the UAE a Second Wag. Follow our journey to finding furever homes for our lovely fur friends looking for homes!

• Facebook
• Instagram

Stray Dogs Center - Umm Al Quwain

Get involved: adopt, volunteer, and participate in fun fundraising events for dogs

Stray Dogs Center UAQ formerly known as SOS for Emirates Dogs, was formed out of an urgent need to address the stray animal population in the Emirate of Umm Al Quwain. Founded in 2013, Stray Dogs Center UAQ is a non-profit organisation, completely funded by donations and fundraising. Primarily, the main aim of the centre is to ensure a safe and healthy community by addressing the stray animal population in a humane way.

Through social media, the Center has gained huge momentum. With no funding, public support plays a pivotal role in the success of the Stray Dogs Center, UAQ. This has enabled the Center to operate and save many lives.

Special Offerings

• Friday and Saturday Doggie Volunteer Weekend where you can walk, run and play with the dogs in UAQ in a social group atmosphere. There are different meeting points in Dubai and everyone drives together to UAQ. Adventure the UAE; do a good deed; and meet like-minded people, it's a win-win!
• Quiz Nights, Dinners, and More... this rescue group knows how to have a good time for a good cause.

Contact Stray Dogs Center

• Facebook
• Instagram
• stray_dogc_enteruaq@gmail.com

Anything you can do to help these groups in turn helps animals in need. Your support would be greatly appreciated! If we have missed a rescue group, please send us an email and we'll happily update the information.

For all pets rescued and rehomed it is a top priority to make them comfortable in their new setting, as well as educate their new parents on proper pet care. The foundation of a dog's and a cat's health is what they eat.

Feeding a fresh, balanced, species-appropriate diet like responsible raw dog food, and raw cat food like Furchild Meals for Dogs and Cats prioritizes the long-term health and well-being of your pet - it's what they were designed to eat!