Pets still for sale on internet

Pets still for sale on internet More has to be done to prevent the illegal sale of pets over the internet, UAE animal welfare groups have said. She added: "There are far too many people selling animals illegally, especially online. The UAE Animal Welfare Enforcement Request, a petition on the Friends of Animals website, which has been circulating since 2010, is also calling for action to be taken. Kaberfarm management was not available for comment, but the website states it has "no control over the quality, safety or legality of the items advertised". Max Spicer, the managing partner at Dubai veterinary hospital, said the public's awareness of the issue "has greatly improved", but it isn't yet good enough. The number of animals abandoned in the UAE increases during the summer months as owners who no longer want to care for their pets leave the country. Hisham Fahmi, a veterinary expert at the Dubai Muncipality Veterinary Services (DMVS), said the authorities do contact individuals who advertise pets online "to catch those who violate the law". He said they also follow up all complaints from the public. Last week, DMVS signed a training agreement for staff with the London-based World Society for the Protection of Animals. Most, including the Dubai Animal Rescue Centre (Darc), are struggling to cope. "I get about eight to 10 calls a day, mostly from people looking for a place to dump their pet," she said. Lesley Muncey, the organisation's chairwoman, said people advertise pets like cats and dogs under the pretext they are being given up for adoption, "but once you call they ask for money". He added: "It is hard to understand why anyone would buy an animal from a person they don't know on the internet, instead of a shop with proper certificates. According to Mr Fahmi, animal rights laws "should be federal" and not different for every emirate. As such, the number of groups that care for and rehome animals has also increased to about 24. Emirati Ms Kelaif, whose husband died a few months ago, said times are "especially difficult" because she isn't allowed, for cultural reasons, to hire male workers to help out at the centre. "It is an organisation with a great deal of experience. Pets still for sale on internet Trade News selected by Local Linkup on 07/06/2012