An online community created to help pets abandoned in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during the ongoing Iran war has quickly grown, as residents across the country stepped in to foster and adopt animals left behind by departing owners.

Amongt them was Dubai resident, Anna Jentgen, who gave a new home to two dogs, Milo and Bruno, after their owner left the UAE in the days following regional attacks that began on February 28.

Jentgen said she found the pair through the Instagram page of "No pet left behind UAE".

“Being able to support just in the smallest way, by bringing in a pet into your house and taking care of that animal is... I feel like it just gives some sort of purpose in this whole situation that we have absolutely no control over," she added.

Strict airline rules and paperwork required to travel with animals have made it difficult for some owners to take their pets with them, even for those leaving by land through Oman. Shelters say they have been overwhelmed.

The online community of “No Pet Left Behind UAE”, created in the days after the attacks began, has already seen thousands of people joining to help match pets with foster or adoptive homes, according to Shika Bodani, who co-founded the groups with her friend Nikita Mehta.

“It's been incredible, and we've been overwhelmed to see the response,” said Bodani on Tuesday (March 10), adding that about 300 people have already signed up to foster or adopt animals.

Jentgen said that Milo and Bruno, both around six years old, are already settling into their new space, which she described to be their "forever home".

Production: Abir Al Ahmar/Reuters