Importing dogs and cats to the UAE falls under the regulations and laws of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Unified Customs Tariffs concerning the import of live animals.
When buying pets, make sure the pet shops have the proper license from the municipality.
People can also adopt pets from animal welfare groups that rehome strays, abandoned, or surrendered animals.
Requirements vary but many rehoming organisations do background checks on the person applying to adopt a pet. Many of them also follow-up on the pet some time after adoption.
While it is illegal to breed and sell pets without proper ministerial license, this practice abounds basing on the plethora of websites that sell animals online.
Many of these breeding places are situated in villas in Ajman, Fujairah and Sharjah, animal welfare advocates said.
Patronising these illegal dog breeders is against the law and could put your pet and your family’s life in danger, they added.
