A Heartfelt Plea from Animals and Us: The UAE Shelter in Urgent Need of Help

For over two decades, Animals and Us has been a lifeline for stray and abandoned animals in the UAE. Based in Fujairah, this dedicated shelter has rescued and cared for thousands of dogs and cats—many of them left on the streets with no hope of survival. But now, the shelter is facing one of its most difficult times, and they are reaching out to the community for urgent support.

“We Might Be in the Worst Position We’ve Ever Been.”

In a recent emotional post shared on their official Facebook page, Michelle Francis, the founder of Animals and Us, described the heartbreaking situation the shelter is currently facing.

“Over 20 years of non-stop rescuing and I fear we might be in the worst position we’ve ever been,” Michelle shared. The shelter is overwhelmed by the sheer number of animals in their care. Every day, they receive messages from people asking for help to take in their pets—often due to travel or relocation—without realizing the strain this puts on an already stretched facility.

Despite their continuous efforts, Michelle expressed feeling “let down” by the lack of foster homes, adopters, and volunteers. “We are left begging to help with fosters… Yes, literally begging,” she wrote. Without more people stepping forward to foster or adopt, the shelter is running out of options.

The Toll on the Shelter and Its Team

The situation has taken a toll not only on the animals but also on the team behind Animals and Us. Michelle spoke openly about the emotional and physical exhaustion that comes with running the shelter. Despite their passion and dedication, the lack of community support has left them questioning how much longer they can continue.

“I am human too,” Michelle added. “My soul is crushed. I’m sick mentally and physically thinking of these poor animals.”

In her message, she expressed that if things don’t improve—if more fosters, adopters, volunteers, and financial support don’t come forward—her only alternative might be to open the gates and let the animals go. A decision that no one at the shelter ever wants to make.

What Animals and Us Needs Right Now

While financial donations towards food and veterinary bills are always appreciated and essential, the shelter is currently in desperate need of physical help and community involvement.

Here’s how you can support them today:

✅ Foster: Offer a temporary home for a dog or cat. Even short-term fosters can make a huge difference by freeing up space at the shelter.
✅ Adopt: Provide a forever home to one of the many animals waiting for a family.
✅ Volunteer: Help with transport, dog walking, shelter support, or spreading awareness.
✅ Donate: Contribute towards food, medical treatments, and operational costs.
✅ Share: Every like, comment, and share increases the chance of these animals finding homes.

Animals and Us also invites anyone who wants to understand their reality to spend a day at the shelter. “Come and spend a day and night at our shelter and you will know what I mean,” Michelle encouraged.

A Shelter That Has Never Given Up—Until Now?

For nearly 24 years, Animals and Us has operated with an open-door policy—never turning away an animal in need. They have become one of the most well-known and respected shelters in the UAE. But today, they are calling on the community like never before.

As Michelle put it, “With all the will and funds in the world, we cannot continue just rescuing for rescuing’s sake. We need homes. We need people.”

How You Can Help

If you can foster, adopt, volunteer, or donate—or even share their message—please visit their official link to get started:
👉 https://bio.link/aauf

Let’s come together and support a shelter that has spent over two decades supporting the animals of the UAE.