Vicky Pattison Condemns ‘Shameful’ Expat Pet Abandonment in Dubai Amid UK Return Panic

Vicky Pattison has openly criticized the actions of certain Dubai expatriates, condemning them for abandoning their pets amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East. The reality TV star expressed her outrage at those fleeing the region without their animals, labeling such actions as ‘shameful.’

Veterinary clinics in Dubai have noted a surge in requests for euthanizing pets, as a wave of British nationals attempt to leave the area quickly. This distressing trend has sparked significant concern among animal welfare groups and pet lovers alike.

Using her Instagram Stories as a platform, Pattison, who is 38, did not mince words. She addressed the issue directly, stating, “Just a note… if you are abandoning your pets in Dubai – you didn’t deserve that animal to begin with and I pray it finds a better home. Shameful.”

Adding to the concern, K9 Friends Dubai, an organization dedicated to re-homing dogs, has reported being overwhelmed by the number of inquiries from pet owners seeking to leave their animals behind. The group has also received numerous calls regarding puppies that have been abandoned, highlighting the depth of the crisis.

K9 Friends Dubai, a dog re-homing group, said it has become overwhelmed by the number of dog owners wanting to leave their pets behind and phone calls they have received about abandoned puppies. 

Animal groups are trying their best to find shelters – but hundreds of posts about deserted pets have been spotted online. 

Vicky Pattison has blasted ‘shameful’ Dubai expats who abandoned their pets to flee the missiles raining down on the Middle East

Photos of dogs tied to lamp posts have been circulating online and vets have reported an influx in inquiries about euthanising pets

In response, the TV personality, 38, took to her Instagram Stories to say those leaving their animals behind never deserved them

And some vets have had to euthanise even healthy pets because their owners don’t want to face the relocation costs or paperwork. 

Claire Hopkins, a resident of Dubai who volunteers with several animal organisations and shelters, said they were under severe financial pressure as fund-raising activities are highly regulated and Gofundme pages are banned in Dubai.

She said: ‘Some pet owners are stressed and panicking. It’s right across the board, and I think the Brits are better than most, but you’re talking about 200 different nationalities here in the UAE.

‘Some people want to give back their adoptive pets. There are dogs starting to be abandoned.

‘The airlines aren’t taking animals at the moment anyway as the flights are operating a very reduced service. If you wanted to get a rabies jab, then you have to delay your travel by a further three weeks.

‘I’m sorry to say that vets have had inquiries about euthanasia, which is disgusting.

‘Most vets would pass them on to the shelters, but we’re already full.’

Vicky and her husband Ercan Ramadan left Dubai after the US-Israel war against Iran sparked chaos in the UAE.

The star revealed they had been driven a whopping 11 hours across the border to Oman amid the ‘rising panic’ in a desperate bid to finally fly home to the UK after their three previous flights were cancelled.

The couple abandoned plans to try to fly to Australia or New Zealand, but wanted to return home and be reunited with their beloved dogs Milo and Max as ‘quickly and safety as possible’. 

Alongside snaps of their mammoth trip to Oman, she penned: ‘We’re so sorry for our radio silence over the last week, with everything unfolding the way it was and changing so rapidly we desperately didn’t want to say anything insensitive or hyperbolic that would add to the rising panic around the situation’. 

‘We really appreciate all your messages of concern and just wanted to reassure everyone that we’re fine.  After 3 cancelled flights and the realisation that we definitely weren’t going to make it on to Australia and New Zealand we wanted to try and get home as quickly and safely as possible.’

She went on: ‘I understand that there are a lot of people still in Dubai feeling really calm and safe however, we wanted to be back to our babies, work and normality and we felt like Oman was our best option.

‘We made our way to Oman from Dubai with some of our friends via private transfer, we used this company @skyevipcarrental and found them to be professional, reasonably priced and comfortable.’

Vicky continued: ‘All in all, the journey took us around 11 hours, including around 2-3 hours at the border crossing, checking documents and passports and cost about £130pp’.

‘For anyone stuck in Dubai and wanting to get home via Oman, I will put more information on @vickysvacays.. I just don’t want to overwhelm or bore anyone on here. We are going to try and enjoy our last days away and explore Oman hopefully.

‘The last week has been quite unsettled and we understand people feeling unsafe and uncertain.. we have experienced moments like that, but ultimately feel like it’s important we acknowledge our position of privilege. 

She added: ‘We are extremely grateful to be making our way home and are thinking of anyone feeling fearful or unsettled, anywhere in a world that is rapidly becoming an increasingly scary place to be.

‘Finally just a little Thankyou to @addressbeachresort and @uaegov for keeping us safe, calm and informed when possible. We will keep you updated and are looking forward to getting home in the next couple of days.’