Jeddah-based veterinarian Lana Dunne, from New Zealand, says that in her compound alone she has seen many examples of expatriates dumping their pets when returning to their country.
“When it’s time for them to go back, they leave their pets in the house. It seems they assume that whomever will come and live in the house after them will adopt the pet which is illogical,” she said.
“When people move into a new house, most likely they will not adopt the pet.”
According to Dunne most people when buying a pet only think about having it for a few years, despite an average cat living for around 15 years.
Some expatriates don’t want pets but adopt abandoned stray cats and dogs and look after them as long as they live in the Kingdom.
“Most people, if they see a box of kittens abandoned near a dumpster, will ignore them. But if you are a compassionate person you won’t be able to ignore them, and then what do you do if you are an expatriate and have to return to your country after a few years?”
But Riyadh-based veterinarian Majed Alhayak told Arab News that there are expatriates who own pets but do not take them back home because they don’t want to pay quarantine fees. “Instead, they abandon their pets, which in most cases are expensive Persian cats.”
“For example, if they are returning to the UK then the pet has to be put in six months' quarantine, and the owners are charged for the pet’s stay and food,” he said.
“It’s very difficult for a house cat to survive on the street because it is used to the fancy food and comfort, while in the street it has to scavenge and fight for its food. It can also get sick, although fortunately some cats are vaccinated before they get dumped.”
He added that some owners have asked him to put their pets down when they cannot look after them anymore. “I did not give it life and it is not my right to take its life. I ask the owners to find them a home and I help spread the word that there are pets for adoption,” he said.
“I also encourage owners to take their pets with them to their country instead of abandoning the poor animals.”
Filipino resident Margaret says that many stray cats that get dumped on highways and the desert come to her compound looking for food.
“I live near the desert area so I see many cats coming from the desert. They come outside the compound walls and call for food,” she said.
“There are hundreds of cats being dumped in the desert. Once, my friend’s son saw a guy drive to the side of the road and throw out two Persian cats.”
A European expatriate, who chose to remain anonymous, told Arab News that there is a rumor that five-star hotels dump their food in the desert.
“Many foreigners have believed this rumor and taken their pets and left them in the desert when they want to return to their country,” she claimed.
“We may give our leftover food to our staff. As for rubbish, I don’t think five-star hotels dump their garbage in the desert. I think it is just a rumor. We at the Jeddah Sheraton follow guidelines issued by the municipality, which comes every day to collect the garbage,” said Zakaria Al-Baba, spokesperson for the Jeddah Sheraton.
Umm Abdullah, a Saudi woman who has been taking care of cats and dogs for many years puts it down to irresponsibility. People who treat animals like objects are the root of the problems, she says.
“People buy pets just for fun without thinking of the responsibility — in fact most people are very irresponsible with their pets. And when they get bored they just cast the pet onto the street.”
