Abu Dhabi pet owners face fines as mandatory registration grace period ends

In February 2025, Abu Dhabi made it mandatory for residents to register their pets. Individual owners were given a one-year grace period to comply, but that window closed on February 3, 2026, meaning fines now apply for unregistered pets.

The pet registration system in Abu Dhabi was introduced to help authorities build an accurate database of cats or dogs. According to the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), the lack of reliable data made it difficult to plan veterinary services, vaccination programmes and stray animal control measures.

Registration formed a central database linking every pet to its owner, medical records, and microchip, helping the emirate manage vaccination schedules, reunite lost pets faster, and reduce the stray population over time. Officials describe the wider goal as creating a "Family Space," where every registered pet becomes part of the emirate's broader safety and welfare framework, rather than existing outside any official record.

The rules apply to all cats and dogs in Abu Dhabi. Individual owners were given one year to register their pets, while establishments such as pet shops, shelters and catteries were granted a six-month grace period.

Ownership transfers, whether between two individuals or from an establishment to a private owner, must also be updated on the system, with the new owner taking on responsibility for renewals and ongoing compliance.

Pets younger than 12 weeks are assigned a personal file number. An ownership certificate is issued once the animal reaches the required age and completes its vaccinations.

Separate penalties also apply for animal welfare violations. Abandoning a pet carries a Dh2,000 fine, while neglect or mistreatment can result in fines of up to Dh5,000 under Article 471 of the UAE Penal Code.