Pet Registration Mandatory to Be in Abu Dhabi With AED 1,000 Fine

Pet registration for all dogs and cats in Abu Dhabi will be mandatory from February 3rd, 2026. The Department of Municipalities and Transport stated that all pets residing in the emirate must be officially registered through the government portal, with licensed veterinary clinics assisting owners by uploading medical records and microchip details. The department confirmed that registration is currently free. Individual pet owners have a one-year grace period to complete registration, while commercial establishments such as pet shops and shelters have six months. Registered pets must be microchipped as a core requirement to obtain an official animal ownership certificate. Once the relevant grace period ends, failure to register will incur a AED 1,000 fine. To register, owners should visit a licensed veterinary clinic, where staff will perform a health check, verify the microchip, and submit the pet’s information through the government portal. Owners will receive a notification once the application is processed. Authorities described the measure as part of a broader “Family Space” framework to maintain a centralised database that can support vaccination tracking, manage the stray population, and help reunite lost pets with their families.