DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Dubai Municipality has opened a new animal welfare shelter in Al Warsan, expanding the emirate’s efforts to promote pet adoption, reduce animal abandonment and improve the welfare of rescued cats through veterinary care and community education.
Located within the Birds and Pets Market in Al Warsan, the facility currently houses nearly 100 rescued cats awaiting adoption. Officials say the shelter is designed to provide medical treatment, rehabilitation and responsible rehoming while encouraging residents to consider adoption before purchasing a pet.
The centre is Dubai Municipality’s second dedicated adoption facility. While cats are currently accommodated in Warsan, dogs continue to be cared for at the municipality’s Al Khawaneej Veterinary Clinic. Authorities said additional expansion is being considered to accommodate both species in the future.
Beyond adoptions, the shelter plays a central role in Dubai’s Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programme, a widely recognised animal welfare approach that humanely controls stray cat populations. Under the programme, community cats are trapped, sterilised, treated where necessary and returned to their original locations.
Residents who encounter injured or stray cats can report them through Dubai Municipality’s 800900 call centre, allowing trained animal control teams to safely collect, assess and treat the animals before returning them when appropriate.
Every animal prepared for adoption undergoes a comprehensive health assessment before joining the adoption programme. Veterinary teams provide vaccinations, deworming, sterilisation, microchipping and any necessary medical treatment before pets become available for new owners.
The shelter also features an on-site veterinary clinic, surgical facilities and grooming areas, allowing rescued animals to receive continuous care throughout their rehabilitation.
Dubai Municipality says the initiative also aims to raise awareness about responsible pet ownership, particularly the importance of sterilising household pets to help reduce unwanted litters and improve long-term animal health.
Residents interested in adopting can apply through the DubaiNow app or the Dubai Municipality website.
Applications are reviewed individually to ensure prospective owners understand the long-term responsibilities of caring for a pet. Officials assess factors including knowledge of animal welfare, veterinary care, nutrition and the suitability of the applicant’s living environment before approving an adoption.
Applicants must be at least 21 years old and must not have a history of animal abuse or neglect.
Adoption fees are approximately AED 230 for cats and AED 260 for dogs. The fee covers vaccinations, sterilisation, microchipping, deworming and related government charges, providing adopters with a pet that has already received essential veterinary care.
The opening of the Warsan shelter forms part of Dubai Municipality’s wider strategy to strengthen animal welfare across the emirate by reducing pet abandonment, supporting responsible ownership and giving rescued animals an opportunity to find permanent homes.
Residents can learn more about adoption services through Dubai Municipality or submit applications via the DubaiNow platform.
