Rules Issued by the Dubai Municipality for Pets

Being a pet parent in the UAE can be a wonderful experience. With beautiful cityscapes and pet-friendly parks, the UAE provides a promising and nourishing environment for pets. However, along with the amenities, there are also a set of rules, regulations, and guidelines that pet owners are expected to abide by. You cannot adhere to rules you don’t know yet, so we’ve compiled a list of pet rules which every pet parent must follow when in the UAE with their pet.

1. Owners who fail to appropriately manage and control their dogs can face fines of up to 500,000 AED and imprisonment of up to six months. Dogs are expected to be kept in the appropriate manner, especially when outdoors.

2. Pets should be always clean; pet cleanliness, grooming, and health is taken seriously in the UAE and pets are expected to be clean and free of illnesses.

3. Pet owners who fail to register or vaccinate their pets are punishable by fines ranging between 150 to 500 AED.

4. Pet dog owners must obtain a license to obtain pet dogs in the UAE.

5. Pets must always be leashed outdoors in Dubai. Using rope as a substitute for a leash is illegal.

6. Pet dog owners are prohibited from taking their dogs to Marina Walk, Dubai Marina, the Palm, or along JBR.

7. Pet dog owners who fail to vaccinate their dogs against diseases will face a fine.

8. Pet owners must register their pets with the vet services section, Dubai Municipality (VSS/DM), and pets must be microchipped and vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian or the VSS/DM.

9. Bearded dragons, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, iguanas, parrots, and tortoises do not require vaccinations. However, they must have an import permit to arrive in the UAE and must be accompanied by their original health certificates. A CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) certificate will come in handy for future pet travel, especially international pet transportation.

10. Depending on the property you’re residing in pets may be restricted or prohibited. Ask for permission from your property owner before bringing any pet home.

11. Domestic pet owners will be penalized for 2000 AED if they are found to be in violation of the established rules and regulations.

12. Keeping exotic or restricted animals as pets is strictly prohibited. Zoos, wildlife parks, circuses, breeders, and research centers are allowed to keep exotic animals.

13. A fine of 10,000 and up to 500,000 AED will be imposed if a person is found taking exotic pet outdoors.

14. A fine of 700,000 AED and/plus imprisonment will be imposed on a person who uses any exotic animal to threaten or intimidate people.

15. A fine of 50,000 AED or up to 200,000 AED will be imposed on people using exotic animals for scientific experimentation without an official license.

16. The public is encouraged to report any incidents of exotic/endangered/prohibited animals being kept as pets. If any such animal kills a member of the public, it will be treated as a case of manslaughter and the owner will be held accountable for the resulting charges.

17. There are certain breeds that the U.A.E considers to be dangerous or strong breeds and refuses to grant them access to the country. Here are the breeds of dog banned in the Dubai, and by extension, the U.A.E: Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Argentinian Mastiff, Brazilian Mastiff, Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher, American Bully, American Pit Bull, Japanese Tosa, Presa Canario, and wolf hybrids.

The rules issued by any country regarding animals and pets are in place to safeguard the public and the ecosystem. If you’re a new pet parent in the UAE or embarking on pet travel, make sure to abide by the laws in place. Provided you stick to these rules, you should have no problem with any authorities and will be able to enjoy your time in the UAE to the fullest.