Abandoned Salukis head for new homes in US and Europe

DUBAI // Six abandoned Salukis will be given a new lease of life when they move to new homes in the United States and Europe.

Three of the dogs will be flown to San Francisco on March 23, where they will be introduced to their new owners.

At a later date, two more will be sent to a rescue centre in Germany and a sixth will be flown to Italy.

“We will be sending a greyhound/Saluki hybrid to the Greyhound Friends for Life in the US, where we sent three last year,” said Trine Lund Petersen, a member of the Arabian Saluki Centre of Dubai.

“The other two Salukis will be going to a different owner in San Francisco.”

The Dubai centre, which does not have a permanent location but relies on volunteers to taken in abandoned animals, currently has 30 dogs rescued from municipality pounds across the country.

“We have found new homes for some of dogs this year,” said Mrs Lund Petersen.

The three dogs being sent to the US are all females. Houston is going to the Greyhound Friends for Life, with Abyad and Leya going to an individual owner.

“The two Salukis are going to an owner who is a marathon runner and, because Salukis are good endurance dogs, she plans to run with them,” she said.

“I think she’s planning to run half the distance with each of the dogs.

“Abyad came from a shelter in Sharjah and we had a lot of inquiries for her because she has a beautiful coat and lovely fluffy ears, which people like.

“The problem was that she is scared of everyone and everything, which means we have had to be very careful in finding a suitable new home for her.

“The fact that her new owner plans to take her out on runs means that she will get a purpose in her life, which will elp to reintegrate her with the outside world.”

The group is currently looking at the most affordable way to fly the dogs to their new homes.

“The big issue for us is to get someone as a flight buddy for these animals,” she said. “They can help to settle the dogs in and make sure they are OK, but it’s a big expense for people to pay for the cost of the dogs’ flight and then get a ticket to accompany them.

“We have about 30 dogs at the moment and I think, with the summer coming, we will probably see more dogs abandoned.”

The Arabian Saluki Centre is run by volunteers and is looking for some land that would be suitable for a purpose-built kennel where they can take care of the animals.

“At the moment we have some of the dogs in the Sheikh Rashid Kennels, while others go out to foster homes on a temporary basis,” Mrs Lund Petersen said.

“It’s not ideal as I have to check that the families are suitable and it’s difficult for potential new owners to go and see the dogs at the royal kennels.

“We would like a centre of our own and are looking for a suitable location, but it’s difficult.”

They are also appealing for more foster families to take in animals on a temporary basis until permanent homes can be found for them.

“I’m fortunate because I can spend more time on looking after and making sure the dogs are well than many of the other volunteers,” she said.

“Most of our volunteers have full-time jobs, so it’s understandably difficult for them to always be available when we need them.

“But if there are people who are interested in helping, we always welcome them.”

The group hopes to find more homes for Salukis overseas, when they can raise money for flights.

To adopt a dog or to support the Dubai centre, visit its Facebook page or email info@arabiansalukicenter.com.

nhanif@thenational.ae