Dubai takes the lead in dog population management

A delegation from Dubai Municipality Veterinary Services Section has showcased their successful Humane Dog Population Management Programme in Romania to help the city of Brasov to adopt an effective dog management programme. Dubai Municipality was especially invited to present their case study as the city has successfully implemented all the components of the humane dog population management programme as per the norms of the International Companion Animal Management Coalition.

This was revealed in a press release from Hashim Mohammed Al Awadhi, Head of Dubai Municipality Veterinary Services Section and Alistair Findlay from UK based World Animal Protection. The city of Dubai was represented by Faisal Al Muammari and Dr. Essa Rashid in Romania.

The Veterinary Services Section in Dubai advocates a comprehensive multifaceted programme with a One Health focus. These programmes have successfully addressed the root causes of problems associated with free roaming animals to ensure public health and community safety while also improving animal welfare.

Hashim added that education and training, primary dog health care, mandatory identification and registration, reproduction control, establishing holding and adoption centre, and limiting or successfully managing waste resources are given greater importance by the civic body in Dubai. All dogs in Dubai, by law, are subject to parasite controls and vaccination against infectious diseases and need to be identified and registered. Dubai Municipality has recently launched ‘Aleef', a smart government application that provides a centralised repository for pet information in Dubai across both public and private clinics to enhance the pet ownership experience in Dubai.

There is zero tolerance for free roaming dogs in Dubai. Holding facilities and re-homing centres are available in Dubai, and communities are encouraged to adopt dogs from these centres.

Dubai Municipality Veterinary Services Section has worked in partnership with World Animal Protection for over 10 years implementing animal welfare programmes that have brought significant positive changes for animals and community as well. There is greater awareness across the society on responsible pet ownership, lesser complaints related to stray animals, enhancement of animal welfare and reduction in human-animal conflicts. The programme has resulted in an increase in the number of vaccinations and dog registrations.

The successful programmes of the city of Dubai were positively welcomed at the conference as the case study presented by Dubai proved that there are successful practical solutions to address the problem of strays. The Dubai experience has been shared with other government entities like Ajman Municipality and Dubai Police.

Hashim Al Awadhi attributed the success of the Dubai programme to active public engagement and awareness, introduction and execution of rules and regulations, closely working with partners and stakeholders, education and training, clear leadership from Dubai Municipality and guidance from World Animal Protection, a worldwide organisation in protection of animals, with which Dubai Municipality has established a corporate partnership since 2004.