Animal Souk
I posted this on an old thread and have decided to create a new one as well to bring this subject up to date.
See http://www.qatarliving.com/node/563115 for original thread from 2006.
I was there last night, I go regularly to try and make sure they at least have water. There is clearly parvo in one of the shops, those of us who have experienced it will know! Also, very severe Ringworm in the kittens. There was a lovely adult orange Persian cat who I saw get kicked from one end of the shop to the other by the young guy who works there. I also saw mature Macaws and was proudly told by the seller that they were definitely from the wild, not captive bred. There was a small white female dog who I am sure has been a pet, she is housetrained and knows basic commands such as sit and is very friendly. Twice while I was in there kids came in and kicked the cage. She was covered in red paint, they guy said some kids came in and sprayed her. The tourists were having a lovely time photographing themselves with ill and distressed wild birds, SHAME on them.
I never, ever buy animals when I go and have to have a hard heart. I only go because the thought of my beloved pets ending up there makes me feel a duty to try and speak for them. If you have lost a little white dog, female, go and look. If she is yours DO NOT BUY HER, call QAWS for advice. I hope this is of help. JJ
In the interest of fairness I must add that a couple of the shops were nice and clean and the birds were not overcrowded. One of them was Animal World at the end of the long street. Also, the little white dog did seem quite fond of her captor and not scared of him. I still don't approve of selling animals in this way though.