, March 14 -- As rising tensions and missile threats linked to the Middle East conflict push many residents to leave the region, animal welfare groups in Dubai say they are seeing a sharp increase in abandoned pets.

Rescue organisations report that dogs, cats and even smaller pets such as fish and turtles are being left behind as families rush to depart the UAE amid growing uncertainty.

Shelters and rescue centres across Dubai say they are struggling to cope with a sudden surge in deserted animals, reports NDTV.

One of the organisations facing mounting pressure is K9 Friends, which says it has received an overwhelming number of requests from pet owners asking to surrender their animals or seeking help to rehome them before leaving the ...