How to register your pet in Dubai: steps, documents and fees
Step-by-step: how to register a dog or cat with Dubai Municipality, what you need, what it costs, how renewal works, and what's different in Abu Dhabi.
15 October 2026 · 3 min read
Registering your pet is one of the first things to do when you get a dog or cat in Dubai, or when you move here with one. It's required, it's quick, and it links your pet to you if they ever go missing.
Fees and steps change. The figures below are the ones published in early 2026. Check the current details on the Dubai Municipality website before you pay.
What you need first
- A microchip: an ISO-standard microchip, fitted by a licensed vet. Your pet's registration number is linked to it.
- A rabies vaccination: up to date, recorded in your pet's health record or passport.
- Your ID: Emirates ID (or passport and residence visa).
- A photo of your pet.
- A no-objection certificate (NOC) from the previous owner, if you got your pet from someone else.
How to register, step by step
- Go to a vet clinic, or apply online. Most private vet clinics can register your pet for you and upload the details to Dubai Municipality. You can also apply through Dubai Municipality's online services, and its own veterinary clinics (such as Al Khawaneej, Al Lisaili and Hatta) handle registration too.
- Submit the documents above.
- Pay the fees.
- Keep the record. Your pet's registration is tied to its microchip and yearly vaccination.
(Property Finder, Feb 2026; Real Estate Club Dubai, 2026)
How much it costs
These are the government fees published in early 2026:
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Registration and numbering: dogs and cats | AED 10 |
| Registration and numbering: other animals | AED 20 |
| Microchip (dogs and cats) | AED 50 |
| Knowledge and Innovation fee (on services over AED 50) | AED 20 |
| VAT | 5% |
Private clinics also charge for their own services, such as the consultation, the vaccine and fitting the chip, so the total at a clinic is usually higher.
Renewal
Registration goes hand in hand with your pet's yearly rabies vaccination: keep the vaccine up to date and renew the registration each year. Set a reminder for the vaccination date and you'll rarely miss it.
Abu Dhabi is different
Abu Dhabi has its own system: pet registration there is mandatory and done through the TAMM platform, with fines for owners who don't register. If you live in Abu Dhabi, follow TAMM's process rather than Dubai's. (Gulf News)
Frequently asked questions
Is pet registration mandatory in Dubai?
Yes. Dogs and cats in Dubai need to be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies and registered with Dubai Municipality, and the registration is renewed every year.
How much does it cost to register a pet in Dubai?
The government fees published in early 2026 are AED 10 to register a dog or cat (AED 20 for other animals) and AED 50 for the microchip, plus a AED 20 Knowledge and Innovation fee on services over AED 50 and 5% VAT. Clinics add their own charges for the visit and vaccine.
Can my vet register my pet for me?
Yes. Most vet clinics in Dubai can register your pet and upload the details to Dubai Municipality during the same visit as the microchip or vaccination.
Do I need to register a cat?
Yes. The rules cover cats as well as dogs.
More on the rules: Dubai pet laws explained.
