Pet Abandonment Surges

Thousands of expats fled Dubai in the first half of March 2026, following Iranian missile attacks on the UAE. Against the chaos, there was a silent disaster; hundreds of pets were left behind. Dogs were tied on lampposts or left in empty houses or put close to shelters that are already full.

Most of the animals were left caught and scared and could not take care of themselves. Rescue volunteers soon understood the extent of the crisis and went rushing to offer rescue help. The situation spread all over the city, according to sources that circulate online, and pets of all types are affected.

Volunteers Overwhelmed

The rescue organizations such as K9 Friends Dubai and War Paws said they were overwhelmed. One of the volunteers indicated that one day she received 27 emergency messages, being petitioned by the owners to assist them with their pets.