UAE Pet Laws 2026: Complete Legal Guide for Pet Owners

The United Arab Emirates has comprehensive pet ownership laws designed to protect animal welfare and public safety. This complete guide covers all UAE pet laws, regulations, and legal requirements for 2026.

Overview of UAE Pet Ownership Laws

Pet ownership in the UAE is regulated at both federal and emirate levels. Federal Law No. 16 of 2007 on Animal Welfare establishes baseline standards, while each emirate (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah) has additional municipal regulations.

Key Principle: Pet ownership is a privilege that comes with legal responsibilities for animal welfare and public safety.

Mandatory Requirements for All Pet Owners in UAE

1. Microchipping (Federal Requirement)

Law: All dogs and cats must be microchipped

Timeline: Within 6 months of birth or within 30 days of acquisition

Details:

• ISO-standard 15-digit microchip
• Implanted by licensed veterinarian
• Microchip number registered with municipality
• Owner information linked to microchip database

Penalty: AED 500-1000 fine for non-compliance

2. Rabies Vaccination (Federal Requirement)

Law: All dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies

Schedule:

• First vaccination: 12-16 weeks of age
• Booster: 1 year after first vaccination
• Subsequent boosters: Annually

Requirements:

• Administered by licensed UAE veterinarian
• Vaccination certificate must be maintained
• Certificate required for registration and travel

Penalty: AED 500-1000 fine for unvaccinated pets

3. Municipal Registration

Law: All pets must be registered with local municipality

Emirates with Mandatory Registration:

• Dubai: AED 115/year (Dubai Municipality)
• Abu Dhabi: AED 100/year (Abu Dhabi Municipality)
• Sharjah: AED 100/year (Sharjah Municipality)
• Ajman: AED 50/year (Ajman Municipality)

Timeline: Within 30 days of acquisition or moving to emirate

Penalty: AED 200-500 fine for non-registration

Housing and Landlord Regulations

Pet-Friendly Housing Laws

Legal Status: No federal law requires landlords to allow pets

Reality: Pet policies are at landlord's discretion

Best Practices:

• Get written permission before moving in with pets
• Include pet clause in tenancy contract
• Clarify pet deposit requirements
• Understand breed/size restrictions

Common Restrictions:

• Some buildings prohibit pets entirely
• Many limit pet size (under 15kg common)
• Certain breeds may be prohibited
• Number of pets may be limited

Tenant Responsibilities

• Keep pets from disturbing neighbors
• Clean up after pets in common areas
• Prevent property damage
• Maintain pet hygiene and health

Eviction Risk: Landlords can terminate contracts for unauthorized pets or pet-related disturbances

Breed-Specific Legislation

Dangerous Dog Breeds

Certain dog breeds are classified as "dangerous" and face additional restrictions:

Commonly Restricted Breeds:

• Pit Bull Terrier
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Japanese Tosa
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro
• American Bulldog (in some emirates)

Additional Requirements:

• Special permit required
• Higher registration fees
• Mandatory muzzle in public
• Liability insurance may be required
• Stricter housing restrictions

Note: Breed restrictions vary by emirate. Check with your local municipality.

Public Space Regulations

Walking Dogs in Public

Requirements:

• Dogs must be on leash at all times
• Maximum leash length: 2 meters
• Owner must maintain control
• Muzzle required for large or aggressive breeds
• Carry waste bags and clean up immediately

Prohibited Areas:

• Mosques and religious sites
• Beaches (except designated dog beaches)
• Children's playgrounds
• Shopping malls (except service animals)
• Most restaurants (except pet-friendly establishments)

Designated Dog Parks in UAE:

• Dubai: Quranic Park, Nad Al Sheba Cycle Park, Zabeel Park (designated area)
• Abu Dhabi: Al Bateen Park, Khalifa Park
• Sharjah: Al Majaz Waterfront (designated area)

Cats in Public

Cats are generally less restricted but should:

• Be transported in carriers
• Not roam freely in public buildings
• Be supervised in outdoor areas

Pet Transportation Laws

Domestic Travel Within UAE

By Car:

• Pets should be secured (carrier or harness)
• Not held on driver's lap
• Adequate ventilation required

By Taxi:

• Most taxis prohibit pets
• Pet-friendly taxi services available (Careem, Uber with pet option)
• Small pets in carriers may be allowed

By Bus/Metro:

• Dubai Metro: Small pets in carriers allowed
• Public buses: Generally prohibited

International Travel

Export Requirements:

• Health certificate from UAE veterinarian
• Rabies vaccination (at least 30 days before travel)
• Microchip
• Import permit from destination country
• IATA-approved travel crate

Import Requirements (bringing pets to UAE):

• Import permit from Ministry of Climate Change and Environment
• Health certificate from origin country
• Rabies vaccination certificate
• Microchip
• Quarantine may be required (varies by origin)

Animal Welfare Laws

Prohibited Actions (Federal Law)

Illegal Activities:

• Animal abuse or cruelty
• Abandonment of pets
• Neglect (failure to provide food, water, shelter, medical care)
• Dog fighting or animal fighting
• Using animals for begging
• Selling pets in unauthorized locations

Penalties:

• Fines: AED 1,000 - AED 200,000
• Imprisonment: Up to 6 months
• Permanent ban on pet ownership (severe cases)

Reporting Animal Cruelty

Dubai: Call 800-900 (Dubai Municipality)

Abu Dhabi: Call 800-555 (Abu Dhabi Municipality)

Federal: Ministry of Climate Change and Environment hotline

Pet Sales and Breeding Regulations

Licensed Pet Shops

• Must obtain trade license from municipality
• Regular inspections required
• Must maintain health records
• Cannot sell pets under 8 weeks old

Breeding Regulations

• Commercial breeding requires license
• Breeders must register with municipality
• Health testing required for breeding animals
• Breeding records must be maintained

Illegal Breeding: Unlicensed breeding can result in fines up to AED 50,000

Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals

Service Animals

Legal Status: Recognized under UAE disability rights laws

Rights:

• Access to public spaces (including malls, restaurants)
• Allowed on public transportation
• Housing accommodations required

Requirements:

• Professional training certification
• Registration with relevant authorities
• Identification vest/harness

Emotional Support Animals (ESA)

Legal Status: Not officially recognized in UAE

Reality: ESAs do not have same rights as service animals and may be denied access to public spaces

Pet Insurance and Liability

Pet Insurance

Legal Requirement: Not mandatory

Availability: Several providers offer pet insurance in UAE

Coverage: Veterinary costs, accidents, illnesses

Owner Liability

Legal Responsibility: Owners are liable for injuries or damages caused by their pets

Consequences:

• Civil liability for medical costs
• Compensation for property damage
• Criminal charges for serious incidents
• Pet may be confiscated or euthanized

Veterinary Care Requirements

Mandatory Veterinary Visits

• Annual rabies vaccination
• Health check for registration renewal
• Treatment for contagious diseases

Veterinary Licensing

Only licensed veterinarians can:

• Administer vaccinations
• Implant microchips
• Issue health certificates
• Perform surgeries

Verify Veterinarian: Check license with Ministry of Climate Change and Environment

Penalties and Enforcement

Common Violations and Fines

Enforcement Authorities

• Municipal inspectors
• Police (serious violations)
• Ministry of Climate Change and Environment

Adopting Pets in UAE: Legal Considerations

Adoption Requirements

• Must be UAE resident (Emirates ID required)
• Landlord permission (if renting)
• Financial capacity for pet care
• Home visit may be required

Adoption Through Refqan

When adopting through Refqan:

• Verify pet is microchipped
• Confirm vaccination status
• Obtain all medical records
• Complete ownership transfer
• Register with your municipality within 30 days

Refqan ensures: All pets available for adoption meet legal requirements for microchipping and vaccination, making your adoption process smooth and compliant.

Staying Compliant: Checklist

✅ Microchip your pet within 30 days

✅ Vaccinate against rabies annually

✅ Register with local municipality

✅ Renew registration annually

✅ Get landlord permission in writing

✅ Keep pets leashed in public

✅ Clean up after your pet

✅ Maintain veterinary records

✅ Update microchip info if you move

✅ Never abandon or abuse your pet

Resources and Contacts

Ministry of Climate Change and Environment: www.moccae.gov.ae

Dubai Municipality: 800-900 | www.dm.gov.ae

Abu Dhabi Municipality: 800-555 | www.am.gov.ae

Sharjah Municipality: 06-563-4444

Refqan Pet Adoption: www.refqan.ae

Conclusion

UAE pet laws are designed to protect both animals and the community. By understanding and following these regulations, you ensure a safe, legal, and happy life for your pet in the Emirates.

Ready to adopt responsibly? Browse available pets on Refqan.ae and start your legal, compliant adoption journey today!