Cat and dog owners face penalties under municipal guidelines aimed at public health and safety across the emirate.
ABU DHABI : Municipal authorities in Abu Dhabi have begun enforcing strict financial penalties for unregistered pets following the expiration of the official grace period under the emirate’s updated animal welfare regulations.
Pet owners who fail to register their dogs and cats face a fine of AED 1,000 per animal. The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) mandated the measure to improve public safety, ensure traceability, and curb the abandonment of animals across the emirate.
Under the regulation, all dogs and cats residing in Abu Dhabi must be microchipped and fully vaccinated against rabies and other common diseases before registration can take place. The verification process requires an evaluation by a licensed veterinarian, who confirms the presence of an approved microchip and verifies the animal’s medical records.
Owners must submit the complete documentation through the Abu Dhabi government’s unified digital platform, TAMM, utilizing their UAE Pass credentials.
Documentation Requirements
To complete the mandatory registration process, pet owners must provide:
- Emirates ID and UAE Pass authentication: For primary identity verification.
- Up-to-date vaccination records: Proving compliance with local animal health regulations.
- Veterinary certification: Confirmation from a licensed veterinarian verifying the microchip number and health record.
- TAMM Application: Submission of all verified documents via the TAMM digital services portal.
Authorities emphasized that microchipping serves as a permanent identification system linked to the owner’s official profile, making it easier to reunite lost pets with their families and hold negligent owners accountable.
