Six Hounds & Co, an animal shelter in Al Ain, may have to close by the end of the year unless it secures new sponsors. Established in 2022, the community-run facility currently cares for 224 animals, primarily dogs and cats, along with one sheep. Founder Anso Stander informed Gulf News that the shelter is actively seeking homes for as many animals as possible while searching for financial support to continue its operations.
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Stander highlighted the difficulties the shelter has faced over the past year, noting that the scale of caring for so many animals has created financial strain. The shelter relies mainly on donations and volunteer support for food, veterinary care, and daily expenses. Stander stated that while community support has been crucial, this year’s challenges have made it increasingly hard to keep up with the costs of care.
The shelter comprises seven rooms, with 15 to 43 cats in each, including those requiring special treatment. Costs have risen significantly, placing pressure on the shelter's budget. Additionally, Six Hounds & Co is dealing with accommodation issues, as its lease on the current villa expired six months ago, although they can remain temporarily.
The immediate priority is finding homes for the animals. The shelter encourages families and individuals across the UAE to consider adopting or fostering pets. Stander has collaborated with other rescuers to help animals reach potential adopters, noting that some puppies have been relocated to facilitate their adoption.
The shelter houses many older animals and those coming from abusive situations. Stander mentioned that financial pressures extend to managing foster animals that were not fully supported by their temporary caretakers, leading to unpaid bills totaling nearly Dh100,000.
Despite the difficulties, Stander continues to emphasize the importance of not releasing animals back onto the streets, expressing her deep commitment to their well-being. She remains optimistic that the Al Ain community will rally to support the shelter once more, with the ultimate goal of ensuring all animals are cared for and placed in loving homes.