Animal activists are urging families to stop abandoning their pets and act responsibly after 13 dogs were found left behind in an apartment in Jidhafs.
This latest case is one of many growing incidents in which people adopt animals without considering the long-term commitment or ensuring they have the financial means to properly care for them.
The dogs – a mix of Shih Tzus, Spitz and other small breeds – were rescued by the Bahrain Animal Rescue Centre after being left alone in the apartment for around five days, following their owner’s arrest for allegedly living illegally in Bahrain.
“When we saw the state of the apartment and the condition of the dogs, it was a no-brainer that we had to help,” BARC UK representative Lucie Belgrave told the GDN. “As a rescue shelter we are already at full capacity, with around 250 animals, so we knew we couldn’t take all of them.”
BARC took in four of the dogs, while the remaining nine were distributed among other shelters across Bahrain. All 13 dogs received veterinary treatment at All Care Clinic, where most were diagnosed with Giardia – a common intestinal parasite that causes infections, leading to symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting and weight loss.
“When the dogs were found they were living in their own waste, so it is no surprise most tested positive for Giardia,” Ms Belgrave explained, adding that all the dogs will be neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. “Each dog requires approximately BD70 to BD100 in treatment costs, so any contribution would be greatly appreciated.”
“According to what we know, the dogs had been taken in by a Filipina woman who had good intentions but was deported for residing in the kingdom illegally.
“Despite her efforts to look after the dogs, they were found with severely matted fur, indicating that they had not been properly groomed or cared for.”
She pointed out that many people take in animals without the financial means or long-term commitment to care for them.
“If you find an abandoned dog or cat but cannot afford to take them in to at least post it on community groups or contact rescue centres, rather than keeping the animal temporarily and eventually abandoning it again,” Ms Belgrave pleaded.
Indian national Venetia D’Souza, 33, has faced similar challenges through her pet-sitting side business and is calling for government intervention to address the growing stray problem.
Her involvement with rescue work began in 2016 when she was approached by a rescuer to help care for an abandoned Shih Tzu. She funded the dog’s treatment, eventually fell in love and adopted it. However, after a while, she soon discovered that some people were using her services as a convenient way to abandon their pets.
“I have mainly faced this problem with expatriates,” she said, noting that many of the cases she encounters involve owners giving up their pets as soon as veterinary bills become expensive or the animal develops health issues.
Ms D’Souza, who works full-time in a corporate firm and personally covers most of the expenses for the 36 dogs and 21 cats under her care, believes the lack of strict regulations is a key reason behind the growing number of abandoned pets.
“There are no penalties or strict action taken against the owners,” she said, adding that high relocation costs also discourage many residents from taking their pets with them when they leave the country. Having learned the relocation process herself, she now tries to help people find more affordable options in order to encourage them to not abandon their pets.
Ms D’Souza suggested that the government make microchipping and registering pets under their owner’s CPR mandatory.
“It should show under Bahrain.bh if a resident owns any pets,” she said. “That way, if they decide to leave them behind, they can be penalised by the municipality.”
“There needs to be something in place to deter people from doing this. It would benefit the government and also ease the burden on rescuers.” n To contribute to the cause, contact @bahrainanimalrescuecentre and @bahrainpetsitter on Instagram.
julia@gdnmedia.bh
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