Dubai Municipality has announced the opening of a new integrated pet shelter at the Birds and Pets Market in Warsan, marking a significant addition to the emirate’s veterinary services system and reflecting the municipality’s continued commitment to compassion and animal welfare.
The opening of the shelter is part of Dubai Municipality’s efforts to promote humane and civilized practices in animal care and make them part of a community culture that supports Dubai’s distinguished status and quality of life.
The animal welfare shelter aims to provide a safe and humane environment for stray and abandoned pets, while reducing their numbers through an integrated system of care, treatment, and rehabilitation services in line with advanced health and veterinary standards.
The shelter also works to prepare animals physically and behaviorally before placing them with suitable foster or adoptive families, helping ensure that they move into safe homes where they can receive proper care and enjoy healthy, stable lives.
The project supports the objectives of the Steering Committee for Preserving the Urban Appearance of the Emirate of Dubai by encouraging positive behavior, promoting humane values, and reinforcing animal welfare as an important part of quality of life and the city’s overall urban landscape.
It also contributes to advancing sustainable and civilized practices and improving the experience of residents and visitors, in line with Dubai’s vision to become the world’s most attractive, sophisticated, and advanced city.
Veterinary Partnerships to Support Animal Health
As part of efforts to support the project and expand its services, Dubai Municipality signed a cooperation agreement with Vets Fur Pets Veterinary Clinic and Phoenix Veterinary Clinic to enhance animal health and well-being and develop an integrated humane model of care.
The partnership brings together modern scientific practices, veterinary expertise, innovative digital solutions, and the values of compassion deeply rooted in Emirati heritage and Islamic teachings.
The agreements are designed to establish a clear framework for treating stray and abandoned pets suffering from serious injuries or illnesses, stabilizing their health, and rehabilitating them before making them available for adoption or determining the most appropriate course of care.
Areas of cooperation include applying best practices in the humane management of community animals, providing specialized treatment and care programs for stray cats and dogs, and carrying out surgical sterilization programs for stray cats.
The partnerships also include community awareness programs on responsible pet ownership, helping people understand proper care methods and how to interact with animals in ways that protect their health and the safety of those around them.
Cooperation will also extend to exchanging knowledge and expertise with government entities, academic institutions, veterinarians, businesses, and community organizations, as well as organizing training programs and workshops for specialists, volunteers, and others involved in animal care.
Digital Platform to Simplify Pet Adoption
Alongside the opening of the shelter, Dubai Municipality announced the launch of a dedicated website to make pet adoption easier and more organized.
The digital platform allows prospective adopters to browse available animals and review key information about their health and behavior, helping individuals and families select a pet that suits their household and lifestyle.
The platform also supports responsible adoption by giving people a clearer understanding of each animal’s needs before they make a decision, increasing the chances of placing pets in homes that can provide long-term care.
Integrated Facilities Built to Modern Standards
The shelter includes a comprehensive range of modern facilities designed in line with international best practices in animal care.
These facilities include a customer happiness center, a dedicated area where visitors can meet pets before adoption, and interactive display rooms that allow families to get to know the animals and choose a suitable “new friend.”
The shelter also features a fully equipped veterinary clinic for examinations and treatment, along with a surgical operating room fitted with advanced veterinary technology and equipment to handle a wide range of medical cases.
It also includes a pet grooming unit and a designated point for receiving stray and abandoned animals, where they undergo examination, care, and rehabilitation according to scientific and humane standards.
In addition, the shelter includes a center for reuniting lost pets with their owners after verifying their information, supporting efforts to manage lost and stray animals and return them safely to their families.
Supporting the One Health Concept
Dr. Naseem Mohammed Rafee, Acting CEO of the Environment, Health and Safety Agency at Dubai Municipality, confirmed that the new pet shelter represents an important step in the development of Dubai’s public health and veterinary services system.
The project strengthens the municipality’s efforts to provide more sustainable, efficient, and proactive services while supporting advanced standards of quality of life and promoting balance between human, animal, and environmental health.
She said: “The shelter supports the concepts of ‘One Health’ and achieving a balance between human, animal, and environmental health, while reinforcing the principles of animal welfare and the culture of pet adoption and responsible care in ideal, safe, and healthy conditions as part of community culture. It also promotes compassion, humanity, and civilized practices that contribute to making Dubai the most attractive, sophisticated, and advanced city in the world.”
Scientific Programs for Managing Stray Animals
Dubai Municipality follows a scientific and humane approach in dealing with stray and abandoned pets. The process begins with collecting animals and providing basic care before assessing their health and behavior and determining the most appropriate action for each case.
The municipality implements the Trap-Neuter-Return program, known as TNR, which involves capturing cats, sterilizing them, and returning them to the locations where they were found, provided they do not pose a risk to themselves or members of the community.
In some cases, the Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return program, or TNVR, is applied. This program includes vaccinating cats in addition to sterilizing them before returning them to their original locations.
These programs help manage stray animal populations in a humane and sustainable way, reduce uncontrolled breeding, protect animal health, and limit the risk of disease transmission.
Call for Responsible Adoption
Dubai Municipality has called on members of the community to benefit from the services provided by the new shelter, help spread a culture of responsible adoption, and give pets the opportunity to enjoy a better life in a safe family environment.
Adoption is a humane choice that helps reduce the number of animals in shelters and gives them care and stability. At the same time, adopters must be fully prepared to take responsibility for the animal’s health, nutrition, safety, and long-term well-being.
Those interested in adopting a pet can access the service through the following website:
https://hub.dm.gov.ae/link/servicesdetails_ar?ServiceCode=4130
Ongoing Initiatives to Promote Animal Welfare
The opening of the new shelter builds on a series of initiatives previously launched by Dubai Municipality to strengthen animal welfare and promote compassion and generosity across the community.
Earlier in 2026, the municipality announced the “Ihsan” Stations initiative, the first of its kind in the region, which aims to provide food for stray and abandoned pets at several locations across the emirate.
The initiative includes the installation of 12 smart devices powered by artificial intelligence in different areas of Dubai, as part of the municipality’s efforts to develop innovative and sustainable solutions that address animal needs while preserving the city’s urban appearance.
The opening of the Warsan pet shelter and the launch of the digital adoption platform reflect an integrated vision that brings together veterinary care, innovation, and community responsibility, further strengthening Dubai’s position as a leading city in humane and civilized practices.
