A stray dog center in the UAE received quite the surprise today, as the latest dog surrendered to the shelter turned out tot to be a dog at all–despite the insistence of the good samaritan who brought it in. Nope, it was actually an Arabian fox.
Stray Dogs Center, a long-tenured animal shelter based in UAE emirate Umm Al Quwain, shared a video today of the happening, including the full exchange between them and the person who ended up unwittingly bringing in the wild animal native to the UAE for help it didn’t actually need–though the Arabian red fox surely appreciated the free meal.
“We have some funny moments at the shelter and today we just have to share this one,” the shelter posted on Instagram.
“Madam, I caught a dog in a trap,” the caretaker told the shelter.
“So cute, but that’s not a dog!” the shelter responded.
“But he’s small. Maybe he’s a puppy,” the caretaker responded.
“That’s not a dog. He’s a fox!” the shelter responded.
The shelter also suspected that the fox may be living in the area, eating the food they leave for stray dogs in the area which they had initially suspected was going to a ‘roaming desert dog’ or cat.
Perhaps not!
The Arabian red fox is actually a subspecies of the red fox native to the Arabian Peninsula, specifically the Hajar and Dhofar Mountains in Oman, as well as the UAE, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. It has also been reported from Iraq and Palestine.
They often appear more of a beige-sand colour, but the one posted was particularly red.
While they are not an endangered species, they are special animals, so if you encounter one, leave it safely be.