{
  "id": 12855539,
  "title": "Al Ain animal shelter Six Hounds may shut down, seeks help for 224 rescues: 'My heart is breaking'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/al-ain-animal-shelter-six-hounds-may-shut-down-seeks-help-for-224-12855539",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-08T10:08:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/lifestyle/al-ain-animal-shelter-six-hounds-may-shut-down-seeks-help-for-224-rescues-my-heart-is-breaking-1.500703055"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A community-run animal shelter in Al Ain, Six Hounds & Co, may have to close its doors by the end of 2023 unless it finds new sponsors. The shelter homes 224 animals, primarily dogs and cats, along with a sheep. Founder Anso Stander is working to find homes for as many of the animals as possible while seeking financial backing to keep the shelter open. The shelter has faced challenges in recent months, with increasing running costs and the need for steady sponsorship to cover expenses such as food, veterinary care, and utilities. The lease on the current villa expired six months ago, and the team must either pay the rent or leave. The founder is encouraging families and individuals across the UAE to consider adopting or fostering animals from the shelter, which has prioritized finding new homes for older or abused animals. The shelter is also dealing with mounting bills, including Dh100,000 in unpaid utilities and food and medical bills. Despite the challenges, the founder remains hopeful that the community will come together to support the shelter and its animals.",
  "summary": "A community-run animal shelter in Al Ain that has cared for hundreds of rescued dogs and cats since 2022 may have to close its doors by the end of the year unless it finds new sponsors. Six Hounds & Co currently looks after 224 animals , mostly dogs and cats, along with one rather unexpected resident: a sheep. Founder Anso Stander told Gulf News that the shelter is now working to find homes for…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Al Ain animal shelter Six Hounds may shut down, seeks help for 224 rescues",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/al-ain-animal-shelter-six-hounds-may-shut-down-seeks-help-for-224",
        "published": "2026-10-08T10:08:59.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}