The old adage "never work with animals or children" is lost on UAE resident Michelle Francis.
Fifteen years ago she threw caution to the wind and has ended up working with both.
The Indian resident teaches at a private school in Fujairah and in 2006 founded Animals and Us, a non-profit animal welfare group.
Down a gravel road behind a small industrial area in the eastern emirate, the 2,200-square metre shelter currently houses 380 dogs – most of which were strays found wandering the streets.
Each day, they go through 82 kilograms of dry food and 200 tins of wet food donated by members of the community and volunteers.
Each day I wake up at 2.30am and feed stray animals, head to the shelter to see my dogs, then head to work at the school
"I began feeding strays in the area about 17 years ago," Ms Francis told The National.
“I used to see dogs and cats roaming the streets and roads and I would think, ‘Why have their owners let them out alone?'
“It was only when a local shopkeeper told me they were strays that I realised they were all abandoned.”
Each day starts at 2.30am
From that point, Ms Francis began her daily routine of feeding the animals.
After a few years, and with just Dh6,000 ($1,633) in her pocket, she rented an "industrial warehouse with no roof" and started the process of turning it into a "safe haven" for the dogs.
Over the years, Ms Francis says the number of animals taken in at the shelter has increased dramatically.
She has likened it to a "conveyer belt", with the summer months among the busiest, as many families abandon their pets when relocating back home.
Currently, 62 dogs are in foster homes but they take in new arrivals almost daily – more than 120 so far this year.
“When I started the shelter my friends told me my husband would leave me,” the mother-of-two said, referring to her hectic schedule.
"Each day I wake up at 2.30am and feed stray animals, head to the shelter to see my dogs, then head to work at the school.
The hectic schedule extends into the weekend.
“On Fridays I still wake up at 2.30am but I get to have a one-hour nap at 6am and then again at 1.30pm.
"This is a lifestyle, but when I am with the animals I am at peace. And my husband, well, he is still with me – he helps so much."
Pandemic pushed shelter to brink
Last year, the charity faced closure as dwindling financial backing, soaring vet bills and mounting rent left Ms Francis unable to cover her costs.
While she managed to pay some of her annual Dh60,000 rent, each month the bills keep coming.
She also has to make a three-hour round trip to the Noble Veterinary Clinic in Dubai "nearly every other day" with dogs that need medical care.
Mixed-breed dogs get left behind
Ms Francis said the majority are mixed-breed desert dogs, as they are “the hardest to foster or adopt”.
She said most people want "small dogs, pretty dogs".
Heartbreakingly, many of the dogs that come to the shelter are fitted with microchips, which means they were once pets.
Licensed by Fujairah Municipality, Animals and Us relies heavily on support from community volunteers who help rescue dogs, donate food and work to re-home them.
Ms Francis said the municipality has been "very supportive over the years" and she works closely with the animal welfare department.
A home for the abandoned
Ms Francis has pumped thousands of dirhams of her own money into the shelter, but said she could not think of anything worse than seeing a dog without food, love or a roof over its head.
Volunteers help with rent, water and electricity costs, but at times she said "it is hard to keep on top of bills".
Inside the main warehouse there are 14 pens with an indoor shelter and small area for the dogs to run around.
Industrial air conditioners are positioned in front of each pen, as temperatures often reach the mid 40s during June, July and August.
Outside, there are additional interlocking kennels and air-conditioned huts where the puppies are kept.
“I have just one full-time employee, Daniel, and he is an angel, he is the person who keeps the place running,” she said.
“Then there are the volunteers, Fiona, Lin, Gillian, Himani, Somya, Lauren and Ira, without them it wouldn’t be possible. They are amazing people.
“If I am being truly honest, I think many people have no sense. That is why we are in this situation."
She said their rescue numbers have increased dramatically over the years, as some owners have made excuses and chosen to dump their pets out of convenience.
Members of the public looking to foster or adopt can visit the website and fill out an application.
They can also message on the dedicated pages on Facebook and Instagram
“There is a certain responsibility that comes with taking care of animals, so I urge people who are thinking about getting a pet to think hard," Ms Francis said.
“I am not a superhuman, I am a simple teacher, but if I can do one small thing like this to help, so can others.”
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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The Two Popes
Director: Fernando Meirelles
Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce
Four out of five stars
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
FFP EXPLAINED
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Origin
Dan Brown
Doubleday
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THE SPECS
Engine: 4.4-litre V8
Transmission: Automatic
Power: 530bhp
Torque: 750Nm
Price: Dh535,000
On sale: Now
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
RACE CARD
4pm Al Bastakiya – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
4.35pm Dubai City Of Gold – Group 2 (TB) $228,000 (Turf) 2,410m
5.10pm Mahab Al Shimaal – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,200m
5.45pm Burj Nahaar – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,600m
6.20pm Jebel Hatta – Group 1 (TB) $260,000 (T) 1,800m
6.55pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 – Group 1 (TB) $390,000 (D) 2,000m
7.30pm Nad Al Sheba – Group 3 (TB) $228,000 (T) 1,200m
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 Cabriolet
Price, base / as tested: Dh275,250 / Dh328,465
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder
Power: 245hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,300rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km
Other simple ideas for sushi rice dishes
Cheat’s nigiri
This is easier to make than sushi rolls. With damp hands, form the cooled rice into small tablet shapes. Place slices of fresh, raw salmon, mackerel or trout (or smoked salmon) lightly touched with wasabi, then press, wasabi side-down, onto the rice. Serve with soy sauce and pickled ginger.
Easy omurice
This fusion dish combines Asian fried rice with a western omelette. To make, fry cooked and cooled sushi rice with chopped vegetables such as carrot and onion and lashings of sweet-tangy ketchup, then wrap in a soft egg omelette.
Deconstructed sushi salad platter
This makes a great, fuss-free sharing meal. Arrange sushi rice on a platter or board, then fill the space with all your favourite sushi ingredients (edamame beans, cooked prawns or tuna, tempura veggies, pickled ginger and chilli tofu), with a dressing or dipping sauce on the side.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
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On sale: now
Final results:
Open men
Australia 94 (4) beat New Zealand 48 (0)
Plate men
England 85 (3) beat India 81 (1)
Open women
Australia 121 (4) beat South Africa 52 (0)
Under 22 men
Australia 68 (2) beat New Zealand 66 (2)
Under 22 women
Australia 92 (3) beat New Zealand 54 (1)
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Thursday (All UAE kick-off times)
Sevilla v Real Betis (midnight)
Friday
Granada v Real Betis (9.30pm)
Valencia v Levante (midnight)
Saturday
Espanyol v Alaves (4pm)
Celta Vigo v Villarreal (7pm)
Leganes v Real Valladolid (9.30pm)
Mallorca v Barcelona (midnight)
Sunday
Atletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid (4pm)
Real Madrid v Eibar (9.30pm)
Real Sociedad v Osasuna (midnight)
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
The biog
First Job: Abu Dhabi Department of Petroleum in 1974
Current role: Chairperson of Al Maskari Holding since 2008
Career high: Regularly cited on Forbes list of 100 most powerful Arab Businesswomen
Achievement: Helped establish Al Maskari Medical Centre in 1969 in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region
Future plan: Will now concentrate on her charitable work
Scoreline
Liverpool 3
Mane (7'), Salah (69'), Firmino (90')
Bournemouth 0
Zayed Sustainability Prize
What are NFTs?
Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.
You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”
However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.
This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”
This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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if you go
The flights
The closest international airport to the TMB trail is Geneva (just over an hour’s drive from the French ski town of Chamonix where most people start and end the walk). Direct flights from the UAE to Geneva are available with Etihad and Emirates from about Dh2,790 including taxes.
The trek
The Tour du Mont Blanc takes about 10 to 14 days to complete if walked in its entirety, but by using the services of a tour operator such as Raw Travel, a shorter “highlights” version allows you to complete the best of the route in a week, from Dh6,750 per person. The trails are blocked by snow from about late October to early May. Most people walk in July and August, but be warned that trails are often uncomfortably busy at this time and it can be very hot. The prime months are June and September.
Ipaf in numbers
Established: 2008
Prize money: $50,000 (Dh183,650) for winners and $10,000 for those on the shortlist.
Winning novels: 13
Shortlisted novels: 66
Longlisted novels: 111
Total number of novels submitted: 1,780
Novels translated internationally: 66
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
