Volunteering with Animals & Us Fujairah
About Animals & Us
Animals & Us Fujairah (AAUF) is a registered non-profit animal welfare group and shelter in Fujairah. It was founded by Fujairah resident Michelle Francis, who began by taking rescued dogs into her own home. In 2016 she rented a warehouse and built the shelter, largely with her own money.
Today the shelter is home to around 400 dogs and 90 cats, and it relies entirely on community support. The team also feeds strays every day through feeding stations, including cats, dogs and donkeys. The stated mission is simple: a safe and secure environment for all animals.
What volunteers do
With hundreds of animals on site, every pair of hands counts. Groups who have visited describe walking dogs on leads, bringing donated food and harnesses, and spending time getting the dogs used to people. That social time matters, as calmer, more confident dogs are easier to rehome.
The biggest volunteer role, though, happens away from the shelter. Fostering frees up space, gives a dog a break from kennel life and helps the team learn how each dog behaves in a home.
Who can volunteer
AAUF does not publish a formal list of volunteer requirements. For fostering, it asks for:
- A minimum foster period of four weeks, with exceptions possible. There is no maximum.
- Day-to-day care, as you would give your own pet.
- Regular updates with photos and videos to help find the dog a home.
- Availability to bring the dog to adoption days if asked.
All medical and vet bills for foster dogs are covered by Animals & Us.
How to get involved
- Apply online. Fill in the foster application on the Foster page with details about you and any pet experience.
- Screening. The team checks your application against the dogs that need homes.
- Video call. If there is a good match, you are invited to a Zoom call to talk it through.
- Meet and greet. Once approved, you get dog suggestions or an invitation to an adoption day or the shelter.
- Bring them home. A WhatsApp group keeps you in touch with the team throughout.
For visits or group volunteering, email contact@aauf.ae or use the contact form, as no visiting hours are published.
Fostering and adoption
Adoption follows a ten-step process. You apply, the team screens and calls you on Zoom, and then you meet suitable animals. Next comes a four-week trial at home while the animal stays under AAUF’s care, with WhatsApp support. A home visit follows, then the contract, with copies of your ID.
The published adoption fee is AED 1,500, paid to the vet. It covers vaccinations, a microchip and neutering or spaying, which may be scheduled later for young animals. You also pay the municipality registration fee, after which ownership transfers to you along with a vaccination passport. If you are unsure, AAUF usually hosts adoption and foster days at weekends. Check the Events page and Instagram for dates.
Other ways to help
- Wish list: buy from the shelter’s Amazon wish list, covering puppies, dogs, cats and cleaning products. At checkout, choose the gift registry address named AAUF. The team asks you not to order items outside the list.
- Keep the lights on: help with the shelter’s utility bills.
- Vet bills: sponsor treatment through vet bill sponsorships.
- Staycations: sponsor a staycation for a shelter dog.
Good to know before you go
- Fujairah is a drive from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, so plan your journey and arrange your visit before setting off.
- Wear closed shoes and clothes you do not mind getting muddy.
- Bring plenty of water, a hat and sun cream. The heat can be intense outside the cooler months.
- If your group wants to bring donations, ask what is needed first or use the wish list.
- Follow staff instructions around the dogs, especially with large groups.
Contact and links
- Website: aauf.ae
- Adopt: aauf.ae/adopt
- Foster: aauf.ae/foster
- Contact form: aauf.ae/contact
- Email: contact@aauf.ae
- Instagram: @animalsandusfuj
- Facebook: Animals & Us Fujairah