We spotlight David Appleby and his work on animal welfare in the region.
In a city of urban skyscrapers and bustling streets, one man is quietly changing the way we care for animals. David Appleby, the visionary behind www.microchipped.ae and The ARC (Animal Respite Center), has spent years building a network of initiatives that are as compassionate as they are practical – proving that humane solutions don’t have to be complicated.
How it all began
For David, this journey began in the most heartbreaking of ways. In 2022, three of his cats went missing in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi – mistakenly rounded up by pest controllers. Only one returned home. The loss was devastating, but instead of giving up, David turned that grief into a mission. He couldn’t accept that our animals could be lost or mistreated just because there was no proper system.
From that moment, www.microchipped.ae was born. The platform is free and user-friendly, allowing pet owners to register their animals, ensuring they can be easily identified and reunited if lost. More than a database, it’s a lifeline – bridging gaps in the UAE’s animal welfare landscape and creating a new standard for responsible pet ownership.
A visionary approach
While www.microchipped.ae laid the groundwork, David’s aspirations haven’t stopped there. He imagined a model that went beyond shelters and temporary fixes – a place where animals could truly recover, thrive and live with dignity. That vision became The ARC, a comprehensive, sustainable model for animal welfare in the UAE.
Unlike traditional shelters, The ARC offers more than just a roof and food. The ARC wants to focus on rehabilitating sick and injured strays, providing low-cost treatments and offering free Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) services. It also aims to house a veterinary clinic and a rescue boarding facility. For animals that cannot return to their colonies, The ARC serves as a permanent refuge, ensuring they receive lifelong care.
David’s ambition is to expand The ARC’s model across all Emirates, aiming to establish a network of facilities that embody a humane and sustainable approach to animal welfare. While this goal is ambitious, David’s track record and dedication suggest that it’s not just a dream but a forthcoming reality. You can support The ARC by purchasing your pet food and accessories at www.mcpet.ae, where profits go towards helping animals in need.
Educating animal lovers
David knows that true transformation requires more than buildings and databases – it requires people. That’s why he launched the Community Animal Training course (which can be found at www.catraining.ae). Understanding that long-term change needs community involvement, this free, online program equips residents with the knowledge and skills to care for stray cats responsibly. It includes nine modules, spanning a total of three hours of expert-led training, based on best practice and lessons learnt. Covering topics like TNR, colony management and post-surgery monitoring, the course empowers people to make a tangible impact in their neighbourhoods.
The training emphasises a holistic approach, encouraging residents to view their efforts as part of a broader ecosystem. The course’s culture of empathy and hands-on involvement means volunteers, veterinarians and everyday animal lovers can now take tangible steps to make a difference! By bringing out this sense of shared responsibility, David aims to shift the perception of stray cats from being someone else’s problem to a collective concern for us all.
Advocacy and collaboration
David’s impact extends well beyond direct action to include advocacy and collaboration. He’s been working closely with government entities to help promote responsible pet ownership and better animal welfare, including the introduction of mandatory pet microchipping and registration in Abu Dhabi. This initiative helps reunite lost pets with their owners and also helps curb the stray population responsibly. He continues to advocate for a federal system.
Partnerships have been key to scaling this impact. Collaborations with Animal Welfare Abu Dhabi (AWAD), the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), Ma’an – The Authority of Social Contribution and private veterinary clinics have created a framework for coordinated, ethical animal care. His efforts have garnered support from both the public and private sectors, reflecting a growing commitment to animal welfare in the UAE in general. Through strategic alliances, David has helped integrate animal welfare into civic policy while engaging the community – proving that collaboration, not just charity, drives sustainable change.
To understand the bigger picture, both in the field of animal welfare and the pet industry as a whole, David completed his Animal Control Officer course earlier this year and has nearly completed his certified Veterinary Practice Managers qualification (NSCert VPM).
A legacy of compassion
David Appleby’s journey is a testament to the power of one individual’s vision to inspire systemic change. His work has not only improved the lives of countless animals but has also fostered a culture of compassion and responsibility within our communities.
As he continues to expand his initiatives, David remains steadfast in his mission to build a system where stray animals are not just managed, but protected, and where communities are not just informed, but empowered. One where the government, civil society and volunteers work in harmony to create a compassionate urban ecosystem. Through this vision, he is paving the way for a future where animal welfare is a cornerstone of societal values in the region. David is currently seeking funding and investment to realise his ultimate aim of establishing The ARC.
For more information on David’s initiatives and to get involved, visit www.microchipped.ae, www.mcpet.ae and www.thearc.ae.
Image Credit: David Appleby & ShutterStock
