Local law information
Dubai Municipality Pet Law
As per Dubai by law, all dogs and cats must be microchipped, be up to date with their annual vaccination and registered with the Dubai Municipality Veterinary Services. Failure to register and vaccinate your dog with the competent authority within 3 working days of receiving a notice will result in a fine of AED 200. Continued non-compliance may lead to dog confiscation.
A proof of Municipality registration is a small plastic disc with a number, which must be worn on the collar at all times by the animal. Every year when the pet is being vaccinated new municipality tag is issued for that year. The registration tag along with the microchip helps identifying your pet in case it is lost or stolen.
Vaccinations, micro-chipping and registration can be done at any veterinary clinic or at Dubai Municipality Veterinary Services.
All pets being imported into UAE must be micro-chipped with ISO standards and have a certificate of the required vaccinations prior to arrival.
Dubai Municipality Veterinary Services – Al Khawaneej
Email:
Phone Numbers:
Fax: 04 289 1123
Working Hours: (For pet animals)
Sunday to Thursday: from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m,
Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m,
Saturday: Closed
General Pet Laws for Owning Pets in Dubai
If you’re planning to live with pets in Dubai, it’s important to know the rules outlined under UAE Federal Law No. 22.
- As per Article 12, obtaining a pet license is mandatory in the UAE.
According to Article 13, all dogs and cats must be registered with veterinary services.
Dogs and cats must be vaccinated, micro-chipped and wear identity (ID) tags issued by Dubai Municipality.
- Dogs are not allowed in public parks, on beaches, shopping malls or on public transportation (except for service animals) etc. You will face a fine of AED 400 and also confiscation of the dog in case of repeated violation within a year.
- Dogs must always be on a lead and put on an appropriate mask when exercising or accompanying it in public places. Failure to do so, can result in a first fine of AED 200 and a second of AED 400. Followed by confiscation of the dog in case of repeated violation within a year.
- If a stray animal is caught by Dubai Municipality and is not wearing ID tags, it will be euthanized if the owner does not claim it within eight days
- Violation of animal welfare laws and regulations will result in a warning to correct animal conditions immediately. Persistent violations may lead to animal confiscation and the case being referred to the relevant authorities.
- Failure to take necessary measures to prevent dogs from harming other persons or other properties. Actions that may be taken:
- Impounding of dog to examine and monitor his behavior
- A fine of AED 5,000 and his release with a pledge
- Euthanasia in the following cases:
- Infection with any of the epidemic or infectious diseases
- If he is aggressive toward others
- Confiscation of dog + Fine of AED 5000
- Failure to clean up after the dog and dispose of waste in the designated areas may result in a fine of AED 400. Repeated violations within a year may lead to dog confiscation.
Vaccinations
It is compulsory to vaccinate dogs and cats of all ages.
Dogs and puppies must be vaccinated against the following: | Cats and kittens must be vaccinated against: |
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Most, if not all, veterinarians will administer a DHLPP vaccine cocktail (for dogs) or FVRCP vaccine cocktail (for cats) to cover the above diseases, plus a separate rabies jab in one appointment. Puppies and kittens (or dogs and cats that are overdue) may need to come back for a second round of vaccinations. If planning to board a pet at a cattery or kennel, check it doesn’t need additional vaccines such as feline leukemia and kennel cough.
Buying and Selling Pets in Dubai
It is illegal to sell pets privately and display dogs for sale or adoption over the internet without obtaining the required licenses. If found in violation, it will be confiscated and transferred to the relevant authorities. If buying a pet, make sure the business has the proper license to sell animals. When buying a puppy or kitten, be aware that it is illegal to import animals less than four months old.
What to Do If You Lose Your Pet
If an animal is lost, alert Dubai Municipality Veterinary Services (DMVS) and animal welfare associations as soon as possible.
If the DMVS catches an animal wearing an ID tag, they will contact the owner to retrieve the animal after paying a fine of AED 500. If the owner does not come within 3 working days the dog will be confiscated and re-adopted. If an animal is found, the DMVS can be called with the ID tag information and the pet owner’s contact information can be obtained. If an animal is caught by the DMVS and is not wearing an ID tag, it will be euthanized after eight days if it is not claimed. If a pet is found by DMVS, there is a charge for the owner to retrieve it.
Unregistered dogs may be released to their owners upon proof of ownership within 3 working days and payment of a fine of AED 500. The dog must then be registered and vaccinated. Repeated violations within a year may result in dog confiscation.
In addition to contacting the DMVS, get in touch with local animal welfare organizations, veterinary clinics and post information on online forums.
K9Friends and Feline Friends Dubai both have a network of volunteers that gather information about stray animal sightings.
Dubai’s Local Environment: Key Factors for Pet Owners
Living in Dubai with pets takes some getting used to. The weather is harsh and there are a number of things to keep in mind as a pet owner.
- The average monthly temperature is 33.4 C and in the summer, the average temperature is 40.5 C. It is vital that a pet has access to fresh water and adequate shade at all times
- During the summer months, try to walk dogs in the early morning and evening hours. Pavements can be scorching hot during the day and dogs can burn their paw pads
- Dubai isn’t the most pet-friendly place to live. Make sure the pet has proper identification and keep it safely within the confines of the home or garden
- There is a large stray population, especially among cats. Neuter or spay all cats and dogs to guard against unwanted kittens and puppies
- There are date palm trees everywhere and during date harvesting season dates drop from the trees. Keep dogs away from dates as they can cause diarrhea and the seeds can irritate/obstruct the intestines or stomach
There are certain breeds of animals that are not allowed to be bought or sold in Dubai. Those caught in possession of an animal that is restricted, will have the animal confiscated and may face fines.
Some breeds are restricted to wearing a muzzle when out in public and may not be kept in apartments. Check with the Dubai Municipality Veterinary Services about specific restrictions related to pets.
Fish | Piranha |
Dogs | Any of the dogs below or any dog crossbred with one of the below dog breeds.
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Pets & Animals Animal Organizations
There are no official branches of any internationally recognized animal welfare organizations in Dubai. Some organizations like Feline Friends and K9 Friends are affiliated with the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA).
Most of the animal welfare organizations in Dubai rescue and rehome stray animals.
Source: Pet-Related Violations in Dubai
Source: Pet-Related Violations in Dubai