As we recently welcomed the New Year, the theme for this week is, A fresh start; new beginnings. Although all the animals looking for a home will fit this category, there are some who have captured our emotions more and we feel they deserve this fresh start more than anything. Perhaps it is ones who have been waiting a long time, or a particularly sad case, or ones who found themselves without a home or even strays who deserve a new life.

Alaska - Animal Action Abu Dhabi

Not a great deal is known about Alaska, which is sad in itself. He was in a foster home with other dogs but has since found himself in boarding for over a month, just wondering why and waiting for a family to call his own. For more information about Alaska, please click here or contact Animal Action on animal.action@hotmail.com

Loki - Animal Action Abu Dhabi

Loki is a lovely medium-sized boy. He is looking for a foster or forever home. He is almost two years old and is lovely, but can be skittish and nervous around some situations so he needs a calm and understanding family who know how to communicate well with dogs and understand their needs and their concerns. Loki loves children as well as other dogs. For more information about Loki, please click here or contact Animal Action on animal.action@hotmail.com

Archer - Animal Action Abu Dhabi

Beautiful Archer is still awaiting his forever home. He has now been in his foster home for a year. He is great with children and most other dogs. He is now almost three years old. House and toilet trained. Hes wondering why hes having to wait this long for anyone to even ask about adopting him. He wants to be with a family in a home. He is one of the dogs we have had the longest. For more information about Archer, please click here or contact Animal Action on animal.action@hotmail.com

Julien - Urban Tails Adoptions

Julien is very good with other cats and loves to be around children. He is very playful and friendly. He will love to sit on your lap for cuddles. For more information about Julien, please click here or contact Urban Tails on 04 8848847 or aideen@urbantailsdubai.com

Samantha - Urban Tails Adoptions

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A new beginning for these pets

Signs reading Je Suis Charlie stand on parliamentarians desk at the European Parliment in Strasbourg on Tuesday to remember the victims of the terror attacks on the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine and a Jewish kosher supermarket in France. Photograph: EPA

A set of guidelines for Muslims on how to deal with images depicting the prophet Muhammad has been published by the Islamic Educational & Cultural Centre Ireland.

In response to the murder of members its editorial staff in Paris last week, the cover of the upcoming Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine features a cartoon of the prophet. Depictions of Muhammad are considered taboo in Islam. The image has been widely republished by news and media organisations.

The Islamic centre said the publishing of cartoons that insult or make fun of the prophet Muhammad will hurt the sentiments of 1.8 billion Muslims around the world.

The guidelines call on Muslims to repond by reflecting the teachings of Muhammad: patience, tolerance, gentleness and mercy.

The guidelines, written by Shaykh Umar Al-Qadri, president and imam Al-Mustafa Islamic Educational & Cultural Centre Ireland, are published in full below:

1. For every Muslim, love of the prophet is a necessary part of his/her faith. He is dearer to us than our mothers, fathers, sons and daughters. We prefer him to our own self.

2. The publishing of cartoons that insult or make fun of the Prophet Muhammad will hurt the sentiments of 1.8 billion Muslims around the world, as well as millions of non-Muslims who respect the great personality of prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

3. Muslims do believe in freedom of speech. And they do respect the right for people to say what they believe to be correct. However, we all know that there is no such thing as absolute free speech. There are laws to protect the dignity and properties of people. We urge all decent minded governments and individuals to respect these sensitivities, as we should respect all races and religions. In the struggle for freedom of speech it was never the intention to extend freedom of speech to making fun of insulting customs, traditions, personalities that are sacred to a particular community.

4. As it is clear that the cartoons are to be published again, Muslims will inevitably be hurt, offended and upset, but our reaction must be a reflection of the teachings of the one we love and are offended for. Enduring patience, tolerance, gentleness and mercy as was the character of our beloved prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is the best and immediate way to respond.

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Irish Islamic centre publishes guidelines on Muhammad images