AlUla Animal Welfare

Central to our programme is the AlUla Animal Welfare Centre, inaugurated on September 1st, 2023, with the aim of fostering positive change in the lives of stray animals in our community.

The AlUla Veterinary Clinic leads the implementation of the internationally recognised stray animal management programme known as, Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return, designed to address the challenges of free-roaming dogs and cats in AlUla County. The programme’s objective is to improve the welfare of domestic animals, reduce the population of strays, and prevent disease outbreaks through suitable vaccinations and parasite prevention. By doing so, we not only safeguard the health and safety of the animals but also contribute to the well-being of the environment and the community.

In addition to our stray animal management efforts, the AlUla Veterinary Clinic provides essential veterinary care services for pets owned by AlUla residents.

The Canaan Dog Sanctuary and the Arabian Mau Sanctuary provide a safe haven for vulnerable stray animals. These shelters play a vital role in the community by increasing awareness about compassionate care and treatment of stray animals through outreach activities and the promotion of responsible pet ownership and adoption.

Animal welfare is an integral part of human history in AlUla and Saudi Arabia, with archaeologists having unearthed early evidence of dog domestication by AlUla’s ancient inhabitants, highlighting the bond between humans and dogs. Through educational and outreach programmes, we aim to cultivate a culture of animal welfare that reflects our commitment to nature, animals, community, public health, and overall quality of life. We hope that this new programme will foster the humane care and treatment of all animals coexisting in our community while serving as a model for animal welfare initiatives in other regions of the country.