The new comprehensive animal shelter, established by the Dubai Municipality, has shown significant public interest, achieving an average rate of one domesticated cat per hour since its launch this week. As of now, 18 cats have been placed in residents' homes since the center opened on Monday.
Dr. Abdullah Abdullatif Al Hammadi, a veterinarian at the Dubai Municipality, stated that the center accepts stray, injured, abandoned, or lost animals to reunite them with their owners. If the owner cannot be found, specialists conduct a thorough health check, ensuring necessary vaccinations and medication before offering the animal for adoption.
When Khaleej Times visited the facility on Thursday, it was heavily crowded as potential adopters flocked to the center in Warsan searching for a pet. The adoption area, divided into separate sections with cat trees and wooden benches, allows visitors to interact with various cats.
A Dubai resident, Fudail Buaddah, felt love at first sight when a fluffy grey cat immediately approached his hand. He noted that this was his third visit to Warsan, and he managed to arrive in time to find a friend he plans to take home.
Fudail always kept a cat in his home country but did not have a pet after moving to Dubai. He explained that he wanted to adopt an animal, but Facebook listings seemed fraudulent, as they featured either breeders or people harming cats. Therefore, upon learning about the shelter managed by the Dubai Municipality, he considered it the best place for adoption. He added that the center exceeded his expectations in every way, noting that the animals are well cared for and the adoption process is streamlined.
The shelter, located in Warsan 3, can accommodate approximately 200 cats simultaneously. Each cat undergoes a strict medical examination to guarantee its health and freedom from disease. Cats not yet ready for adoption are housed in a separate part of the center, inaccessible to the public.
Once an animal is ready for placement, it is issued a passport documenting its health history and vaccination records. Dr. Abdullah emphasized the importance of checking the cats' health before adoption. Currently, there is no provision for rescuers or foster parents to leave cats at this center.
The center houses both newborn kittens and older animals. A cat named Little Bear, which has spent the most time in the shelter, is still awaiting its permanent home. Dr. Abdullah expressed hope that this will happen soon.
Potential adopters must confirm that they live in a suitable location to keep a cat. Although the adoption itself is free, residents pay a service fee of 230 dirhams. The center operates from Monday to Thursday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Dr. Abdullah also stated that all precautions are being taken to match the adopter with a suitable cat. Information about the cats, including descriptions of their temperament—such as active, quiet, or playful—is published on the website. He insists that people choose an animal that suits their needs and always advises carefully considering the decision, stressing that a pet is not a toy but a serious commitment.
A comprehensive animal shelter has opened in Dubai's Al Warsan district. It is equipped with a new digital platform that allows residents to view information about rescued cats and dogs available for adoption even before visiting the facility.
This new shelter, located at the Bird and Animal Market in Al Warsan, is designed to care for stray and lost companions. It combines veterinary treatment, rehabilitation, grooming, and adoption services under one roof.
Users interested in acquiring a pet can use the online platform to review the animals and receive detailed information about their health status and behavior. This helps potential owners make informed decisions before starting the adoption process.
The facility also includes interactive rooms for meeting the animals, where future owners can spend time with them before taking them home. The shelter has a veterinary clinic with an operating room, as well as a special center that helps reunite lost pets with their owners after checking identification and ownership data.
The Dubai Municipality stated that this shelter is part of broader efforts to improve animal welfare and encourage responsible pet ownership, ensuring a humane management system for strays.
The municipality has entered into agreements with Vets Fur Pets Veterinary Clinic and Phoenix Veterinary Clinic. These partnerships aim to support the treatment and rehabilitation of injured or sick stray animals, as well as promoting advanced animal care methods.
As part of this initiative, the municipality will continue implementing internationally recognized 'Trap-Neuter-Return' (TNR) programs for stray cats. Simultaneously, programs for treating and caring for stray dogs and cats will be conducted. Under this approach, stray cats are humanely trapped, sterilized, and vaccinated if necessary before being returned to their former locations, provided it is safe for both the animals and the public.
Dr. Naseem Mohammed Rafee, the acting CEO of the Dubai Municipality Environment, Health and Safety Agency, noted that the new shelter strengthens the emirate's veterinary services and supports the 'One Health' approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
Earlier this year, the Dubai Municipality introduced the first AI-powered 'Ihsan' smart feeders in the region for stray and free-roaming companions. Twelve such devices have been installed across Dubai to support animal welfare and environmental sustainability.
