Summer is a tough time of year for all of the animal welfare groups and shelters. However well before many expats and locals alike head out of the country to beat the summer heat, most, if not all of the welfare groups are already posting ‘SORRY WE’RE FULL’ notices on their Facebook Pages.

Emma Creswell, Shelter Manager for the Sharjah Cat & Dog Shelter (SCADS) says that they average 14 abandoned animals every day. In recent years, the summer months show an increase in that number, with 20 or more animals being left at the shelter daily. As a result, SCADS is overloaded.

Having no choice but to house additional animals in their already full shelter, SCADS currently have an additional 28 pups and 22 kittens on top of their capacity to accommodate 40 dogs and 40 cats at any one time.

Extending capacity puts a heavy strain on them, as sadly, budget constraints dictate the number of animals SCADS is able to provide food and medical care for. Additionally, overcrowded enclosures can quickly become unhealthy environments for an animal’s physical health and mental well-being.

SCADS often reach out to other welfare groups (who are also under pressure) and the general public across the country to offer a reprieve for some of the animals they receive – however the reality is when there is no more space, no one to adopt and no one to foster, animals are put to sleep.

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