Stray Dogs Center post summer 2025 update
- tiina
- Sep 7
- 5 min read
Relief from the summer heat with A/C
This summer marked a historic moment for our shelter. For the first time, hundreds of our dogs now have access to air-conditioned spaces, giving them a much-needed break from the harsh UAE sun. Our shelter in Umm Al Quwain is completely off-grid, running solely on generators, so managing extreme summer temperatures has always been a huge challenge.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of our volunteers and generous sponsors, we completed a large-scale A/C project that seemed impossible just a few months ago. See the photos below to get an idea of the magnitude of this project!
Our special thanks go to:
For the Project Lead & Overall Production including canopy installation, lighting and air coolers.
For sponsoring generators and providing steel works.
For provision of power, cabling & A/C with onsite installation.
For sponsoring the PVC material for the massive canopy and supplied the construction team.
Also a number of individual key sponsors, volunteers and supporters helped make this project real, including; Kristen, Abhilash, Anton, Heather Wallace, Dan Chisholm & Emily Dunn. Thank you all for coming together to help the dogs in our care 💖
However, keeping these A/C units running comes at a daily cost for diesel to power the generators. Without it, the enclosures can heat up quickly, putting the dogs at risk. Your ongoing support ensures that our lifesaving A/C system continues running every day through the hot season. Can you help by sponsoring either diesel or one of the dogs?
Restoring sprinkler systems for open-air pens
While air-conditioned enclosures provide relief for hundreds of dogs, most of our 1,500 residents still live in open-air pens. For them, water sprinklers or a misting system are the only way to stay cool during the scorching heat. Many of these sprinklers have broken over time, leaving large groups of dogs exposed to the sun.
This summer, we began planning repairs to restore our sprinklers and provide cooling mists throughout the day. But the work doesn’t stop at fixing pipes — we also need funds to purchase water to fill our tanks, as our shelter has no direct water supply. Your help ensures that every dog, even those without A/C, can enjoy a refreshing mist during the hot summer months.
Building micro units to reduce stress
Overcrowding has long been a challenge at our shelter. Many of our pens hold up to 15 dogs, which leads to stress, poor rest, and fights that can injure both dogs and caretakers who try to break the fights.
To address this, we’ve started building micro units — smaller, calmer spaces designed for just two dogs. These units provide a safer environment also reducing the dogs stress. Some units have already been completed, but we need many more to meet demand. Each micro unit costs AED 1,000 to build, and every contribution helps us create a safer, more peaceful shelter for our residents.
Dog adoptions during the summer season
Summer is always a slower season for adoptions, as many people travel to their home countries. Despite this, we showed up every single Saturday with a bunch of doggies at the Petshop Megastore in Dubai Investments Park, and held our weekly Adoption & Foster event. In the end, we still managed to rehome and complete the adoption of 45 dogs.
In addition, we currently have 30 dogs in trial adoption, which is an important part of our adoption process: all adult dogs have 2 weeks trial period in their new home, and puppies 1 week, to make sure the dog and people are a match and the adoption will be successful.
Summer holidays caused foster challenges
We love our foster families who play a significant part in rehoming dogs and can't thank them enough for giving a dog a temporary home, which also allows us to learn more about the pup but also makes the dog more adoptable for knowing house rules. Unfortunately, many of our foster families also left for the summer, returning their foster dogs. This forced us to place all these dogs in various boarding facilities, which increased our expenses significantly.
We need help in covering these costs, so we can continue to keep these dogs in Dubai until they find their forever families.
Please pitch in with a small amount:
Or become a 'Boster' for one of the dogs in boarding.
We are always in need of temporary foster homes, even as little as 2 weeks helps a lot. Please fill our foster form if you would like to meet dogs who need fosters.
Welcoming Wunderdog as a corporate supporter
We are thrilled to announce a new partnership with Wunderdog. They have pledged to double the impact of every gifted meal by sending high-quality dog food to our shelter. This support ensures that our dogs receive nutritious meals without additional cost to the shelter. Every meal counts when caring for 1,500 dogs, and with Wunderdog’s support, your donation goes even further. So far our dogs have received 150-200 kg per week and they are absolutely loving it ❤️
Thrive x Stray Dogs Center:
T-shirts with a purpose
We’re also excited for teaming up with Thrive to bring you the Lift Heavy Pet Dogs t-shirt, created right here in the UAE. This special edition tee is more than just apparel — it’s a statement of compassion and strength.
💛 All profits go directly to Stray Dogs Center, helping us provide food, care, and comfort for the 1,500 dogs who call our shelter home.
LIFT WITH PURPOSE. Wear it proudly, knowing that every purchase supports rescue dogs in need.
How you can help
Your support is the reason we can keep making life-changing improvements at the shelter.
Choose how you want to contribute:
No contribution is too small — every dirham counts toward giving our dogs food, safety, and well-being.
Closing note
This summer has shown what is possible when compassion meets action. From air-conditioned enclosures to micro units, sprinkler repairs, and new food partnerships, hundreds of dogs now enjoy safer and cooler lives while they wait for forever homes. With your continued support, we can expand these efforts and ensure that every dog in our care feels protected, loved, and valued.
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