If youâre planning to own a dog, cat, or any companion animal in the UAE, thereâs one essential step you canât skip: register your pet in UAE. From microchipping and legal documentation to annual renewals, the UAE has specific laws in place to ensure responsible pet ownership.
This guide will walk you through how to register your pet in UAE for 2025, including how it works, where to go, and what happens if you donât.
Tip: if you’re unsure whether your pet is legally eligible for registration, check out our guide on What Pets Are Legal in UAE
In this article, you’ll learn:
Whether pet registration is legally required in the UAE â and what happens if you skip it
The official authorities responsible for microchipping and registration in different Emirates
How the microchipping process works and what kind of chip is accepted
Where to go to register your pet, including vet clinics, government centers, and online systems
Typical costs, required documents, and how to avoid delays
How to look up or confirm your petâs microchip number after registration
Recommended clinics and services in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other Emirates
Common mistakes and legal risks pet owners unknowingly make
Yes, registering your pet in the UAE is not optional. It’s a legal requirement enforced across all Emirates, designed to protect public health, animal welfare, and owner accountability. Whether you’re a new pet owner or recently moved to the country, you must register your pet in UAE and ensure they are microchipped.
Failure to comply can lead to fines, complications during emergencies, and in some cases, government seizure of your animal.
The process to register your pet in UAE is handled through municipality-approved veterinary clinics. The system links your personal information (including Emirates ID and contact details) with a unique 15-digit microchip ID implanted in your pet. This becomes your petâs permanent digital identity, used by vets, authorities, and even international travel systems.
Different Emirates have different procedures, but the core process remains the same:
Before visiting the vet for your petâs registration and microchipping, itâs essential to prepare the necessary documents to ensure everything is submitted correctly to the relevant authorities. Be sure to bring the following:
A copy of your Emirates ID or passport
Your petâs vaccination records (especially rabies, which is mandatory)
In some Emirates, a residency or tenancy contract may be requested
Additionally, your vet may request (but usually not always required):
Proof of Other Core Vaccinations (especially for dogs: DHPPiL, and for cats: FVRCP)
Recent Health Check Report from a licensed vet (some clinics include this in the microchip procedure)
Microchip Implant Certificate (if the chip was done previously, especially outside the UAE)
Photo of the Pet (some municipalities and clinics request this for digital ID purposes)
Next, you must visit a licensed veterinary clinic. A small microchip, about the size of a grain of rice, will be injected under your petâs skin, typically between the shoulder blades. This chip stores a globally unique identification number.
đĄ Note: Microchipping is painless and quick, and your pet wonât feel it after the first second.
Once your pet is microchipped and the required documentation is collected, your veterinarian will typically handle the registration process on your behalf. However, itâs important for you as the pet owner to understand how the process to register your pet in UAE works, and what to expect depending on where you live.
Veterinarians submit registration details directly through the Dubai Municipality portal. This digital system is streamlined and efficient, most pets are registered within 24 to 48 hours after the appointment. Your pet’s microchip is officially linked to your Emirates ID, and a registration certificate is often delivered via email or SMS. You may also receive a physical pet ID tag from the clinic if they issue one.
The process is handled by the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA). Most veterinary clinics are authorized to submit registration forms directly to ADAFSA. Processing times can vary â some are immediate, while others may take a few business days. Clinics often notify you once the registration is approved, and some may also provide a printed certificate or pet tag upon request.
The process outside Dubai and Abu Dhabi tends to be more varied. In some cases, clinics submit forms manually to local municipal authorities or use semi-digital systems. Timelines are less predictable â itâs not uncommon to wait a week or more for confirmation. You might not automatically receive a digital certificate or tag, so always follow up to ensure your petâs registration has been processed.
Even though your vet handles the submission, donât assume everything is automatic. Always ask:
When the registration will be submitted
How youâll receive confirmation (email, SMS, printed)
Whether a pet ID tag is issued or needs to be requested separately
Taking this initiative ensures that registering your pet in UAE is not only processed but properly documented and confirmed.
Once your pet is successfully registered, youâll receive official confirmation that the process is complete â but exactly what that includes can vary depending on the emirate and the veterinary clinic handling the registration.
Most commonly, youâll receive:
A Pet Registration Certificate
This certificate confirms your petâs legal registration with the appropriate authority, such as Dubai Municipality or the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA). Some clinics issue a digital PDF via email, while others may also provide a printed hard copy at the end of your appointment. Always keep a copy saved, youâll need it for travel, licensing, and renewal.
Linking to Your Emirates ID
During registration, your Emirates ID is associated with your petâs microchip profile. This serves as proof of ownership and makes it easier for authorities to trace your pet back to you in the event of a loss, accident, or ownership dispute.
A Physical Pet ID Tag (in some emirates)
In Dubai, a small metal or plastic tag is often issued after registration. This tag includes a unique number linked to your petâs registration profile and is designed to be worn on your petâs collar. These tags are renewed annually and serve as visible proof that your pet is officially registered.
In Abu Dhabi, the issuance of tags varies, some clinics provide them, while others only issue the certificate. It depends on whether the clinic is partnered with ADAFSA or another local authority.
In Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, and other emirates, a tag may not be included at all. Registration is often handled internally by clinics without a standardized tag system. Be sure to ask your vet whether a tag will be provided.
If you arenât issued a physical tag, donât worry, your pet is still registered as long as the certificate and microchip data are complete and properly linked to your Emirates ID. However, for added visibility, some owners choose to purchase custom pet tags that display their petâs name and registration number.
Failing to register your pet in the UAE isnât just an overlooked task or optional formality, itâs a legal requirement, and ignoring it can lead to serious consequences both for you and your pet, including fines, denied services, and even permanent loss of your animal in the event of a dispute or incident.
Pet registration is mandatory under municipal and emirate-specific laws. In Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and many other Emirates, fines can reach up to AED 5,000 for failure to register or microchip your pet â especially if your pet is found without ID during an inspection or incident.
If your pet ever gets lost, wanders into a public space, or is involved in an incident (like a dog bite report), authorities will scan for a microchip to identify the owner. If no chip is found or registration isnât linked to your Emirates ID, your pet may be taken to a municipal shelter or impounded, where it could be put up for adoption or, in worst cases, euthanized.
Microchipping and registration are essential requirements for pet travel, especially when applying for export permits, fit-to-travel health certificates, or import documents in other countries. Even if your pet is vaccinated, unregistered pets can be denied exit clearance, particularly from airports with digital tracking like DXB or AUH.
Many veterinary clinics now require proof of ownership via a registered Emirates ID linked to your pet. If you cannot prove youâre the rightful owner, some clinics may delay or deny treatment, especially in emergencies or legal cases (e.g., bites, disputes over pet custody).
Pet registration in the UAE doesnât end once you receive your certificate or ID tag, it marks the beginning of an ongoing responsibility to keep your petâs legal records accurate, up-to-date, and fully compliant with local laws. From annual renewals to ownership changes and even lost tag replacements, staying on top of these updates ensures your pet remains protected, legally recognized, and eligible for services like boarding, grooming, and emergency care.
To help you stay on track, here are a few key situations that may require action even after your pet is fully registered, from yearly renewals to updating records when life changes happen.
In emirates like Dubai, pet registration is valid for one year and must be renewed annually. This applies to both the registration certificate and the physical ID tag (if provided). Failure to renew on time can lead to fines or complications when accessing services such as boarding, grooming, or veterinary care.
Tip: Set a reminder a few weeks before your registration expires. Some vet clinics will notify you, but not all do.
If your pet changes owners, moves to a new household, or if your contact details change, itâs important to update the registration record. This ensures that authorities can reach the correct person in the event of a microchip scan or lost pet situation.
How to Update: Contact the clinic or authority that originally registered your pet. You may need to fill out a form or provide proof of new ownership.
Losing a pet is deeply personal, and while formalities may feel secondary, it’s still important to update their registration status. In many emirates, a petâs record remains active until officially closed, which means you could continue receiving renewal reminders or even face minor compliance issues if no action is taken.
To make the process easier, most clinics or authorities will handle it for you, but you may be asked to provide a few basic details to complete the update:
Petâs name and microchip number
Your Emirates ID or registered contact info
Date of passing (approximate is usually fine)
Death certificate (if issued, though often not required)
If your petâs physical ID tag is lost or you canât find your registration certificate, reach out to the issuing clinic or authority. Replacements can typically be reissued, either as a digital PDF or a new tag.
Dubai Municipality: Offers an online pet portal where digital copies can be requested.
Abu Dhabi (ADFSA): May require a clinic visit, depending on how the original registration was handled.
If youâre unsure how to proceed with updates, renewals, or other support needs, your first point of contact should be the veterinary clinic that performed your registration. They can guide you based on the emirate-specific process.
For official resources:
Registering your pet in the UAE isnât just a legal formality, itâs a safeguard for your animalâs safety, a gateway to essential services, and a show of responsible ownership. Whether youâre a new resident or a longtime pet parent, understanding and completing the registration process helps ensure your pet is recognized, protected, and supported within your emirateâs system.
Hereâs a quick recap of everything you need to know:
Pet registration is legally required in most emirates, especially Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
You must microchip your pet and get them vaccinated before registering.
The process typically involves visiting a licensed veterinary clinic or using a municipal portal to submit documentation.
Once approved, you’ll receive a digital certificate and (in some emirates) a physical ID tag.
Registration must be renewed annually in Dubai and certain other areas.
Itâs your responsibility to update your petâs record if your contact info, address, or ownership status changes.
If your pet passes away, notify the registration authority to close the file and avoid future issues.
Failure to register or renew may result in fines or restricted access to services like boarding or travel.
For legal peace of mind, always ensure you register your pet in UAE before accessing public services or traveling. â theyâll guide you based on your location and specific needs.
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