How to register your pet in Dubai (2026 guide)

Updated October 2026. Steps and fees checked against Dubai Municipality guidance and 2025 to 2026 reporting.

Every cat and dog kept in Dubai needs a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and a Dubai Municipality registration tag that is renewed each year. If you want to register your pet in Dubai, the process is short: you apply online with UAE Pass, then a vet completes it at your appointment. This guide covers the steps, documents and fees for 2026.

Is pet registration compulsory in Dubai?

Yes. Dubai Municipality requires cats and dogs to be microchipped, vaccinated and registered. Registration links your pet’s microchip to you, which helps if the animal is lost, and it lets the municipality track rabies vaccination across the emirate. Dubai Municipality says it registered about 4,100 pets in the first half of 2026 alone.

Abu Dhabi has its own system run by the Department of Municipalities and Transport, which became mandatory in 2026. This guide is for Dubai only.

What do I need before I register my pet?

• A microchip. A vet implants it under the skin, usually between the shoulder blades. You need the 15-digit number for the application.
• A valid rabies vaccination, recorded with its expiry date on the pet’s vaccination card. Dubai Municipality lists rabies and DHPPi as the vaccinations for dogs, and rabies and FVRCP for cats.
• Your UAE Pass to log in to the Dubai Municipality website or the DubaiNow app.
• Your Emirates ID and your home’s 10-digit Makani number.
• A clear photo of your pet and a PDF of the vaccination record.
• If you bought or adopted the pet from someone else, a no-objection letter from the previous owner can be requested.

How do I register my pet with Dubai Municipality?

1. Log in at dm.gov.ae (or the DubaiNow app) with UAE Pass and search for the pet registration service, listed as “Register Pets and Farm Animals”.
2. Choose the options for an individual, a pet animal and a new registration.
3. Pick a clinic. You can choose the municipality’s Al Khawaneej Veterinary Clinic or an approved private vet.
4. Enter your details, including your contact number, preferred language and your Makani number.
5. Enter your pet’s details: name, microchip number, species, breed, sex, colour, date of birth and rabies vaccination expiry date.
6. Upload the photo and vaccination record, accept the terms and submit. You get a reference number and an appointment, usually within one to two days.
7. Visit the clinic. Take the vaccination card, your Emirates ID and proof of the microchip. The vet checks the animal, records the registration and gives you the tag.

Many private vets can also do the whole process for you during a routine visit.

How much does it cost to register a pet in Dubai?

These are the government fees reported in 2026. Private clinics add their own consultation and vaccination charges, which vary, so ask for a full quote before you book.

Do I need to renew my pet’s registration every year?

Yes. The tag is valid for one year. In practice the vet renews the registration at your pet’s yearly rabies booster and issues the new tag at the same visit, so keeping vaccinations up to date keeps the registration current.

If you move home, update your address on the registration.

What other pet rules should I know in Dubai?

• Keep dogs on a lead in public. Some breeds must also be muzzled.
• Banned breeds. The UAE bans the import of certain breeds, including pit bull types and some mastiff types. Check the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment list before you bring a dog in.
• Parks and transport. Dogs are not allowed in most Dubai Municipality parks or on public transport, but several community parks and dedicated dog parks welcome them.
• Your building’s rules. Many apartment buildings have their own pet policy, and landlords can restrict pets in the tenancy contract. Check before you sign.
• Travel. To fly with your pet, it must be microchipped, registered and fully vaccinated, and you need an approved health certificate.

Can I adopt a pet from Dubai Municipality?

Yes. You can apply online through the Dubai Municipality website or the DubaiNow app, or in person at Al Khawaneej Veterinary Clinic. You must be at least 21, have no record of animal mistreatment, and pay the vaccination and registration fees. Once approved, you collect the animal and its vaccination record within two working days.

Looking for a home that suits your pet? You can browse pet-friendly homes for rent and check each building’s pet policy with us.

Frequently asked questions

Is it mandatory to register a cat in Dubai?

Yes. Dubai Municipality requires both cats and dogs to be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies and registered, with the tag renewed every year.

How much does pet registration cost in Dubai?

The registration fee is AED 10 for a cat or dog, plus an AED 20 knowledge and innovation fee and VAT. A microchip is AED 50. Clinics add their own consultation and vaccine charges.

Can I register my pet online in Dubai?

You start online through the Dubai Municipality website or the DubaiNow app using UAE Pass, then finish at a vet appointment where the pet is checked and tagged.

What happens if my pet’s rabies vaccine has expired?

You need to update the rabies vaccination before registration. The vet can give the booster at the same appointment.

Can tourists register a pet in Dubai?

The online service needs UAE Pass and an Emirates ID, so it is designed for residents. Visitors bringing a pet should follow the import permit rules from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.