Pet owners in Abu Dhabi are urged to register their pets through the TAMM portal as part of a new mandatory registration system aimed at controlling the rising number of stray animals and addressing public health concerns. While fines for non-compliance will not be enforced this year, penalties will be introduced starting in 2026 for those who fail to comply.
Grace Period for Compliance
Dr. Mariam Al Shamsi, Animal Welfare Support Analyst at the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), explained that the current focus is on raising awareness and encouraging voluntary compliance. “Pet owners will receive guidance and warnings this year, but from next year, penalties will be enforced based on established regulations,” she said.
Why the New Registration System?
The rising number of stray animals has raised concerns about disease transmission and disturbances in residential areas. Dr. Al Shamsi highlighted that the registration system will help create a comprehensive pet database, which will enhance animal welfare and public health oversight.
“This initiative is not just a legal requirement — it’s about protecting pets and ensuring responsible pet ownership,” she added.
Role of Veterinary Clinics
Veterinary clinics have been authorised as the exclusive facilitators of pet registration. They are responsible for conducting health check-ups, verifying records, and assisting pet owners with the registration process through the TAMM portal.
To prepare clinics for increased registration demand, DMT has conducted training sessions and provided technical support, including a specialised dashboard for real-time access to registration data and workflow management.
Public Awareness Campaigns
To ensure pet owners are well-informed, DMT has launched public awareness campaigns, including posters with QR codes linking to FAQs. Pet owners can also access information through DMT’s Instagram bio and in-person guidance at veterinary clinics.
“We aim to make the registration process simple and accessible through multiple channels,” said Dr. Al Shamsi.
Benefits for Pet Owners
The registration system offers practical benefits, such as:
✅ Legal and traceable ownership (useful for lost pets and ownership disputes)
✅ Access to vaccination records and automatic reminders
✅ Future services like lost and found pet reports, pet insurance, and pet-friendly location maps through the TAMM portal
Data-Driven Oversight
Currently, Abu Dhabi lacks accurate data on pet ownership. The registration system will address this gap by providing a reliable database to improve oversight and ensure responsible pet ownership.
Mandatory Microchipping
Microchipping will be a key requirement under the new system, although there are no plans to introduce DNA profiling. The TAMM portal is expected to expand its services over time, making it a comprehensive platform for pet owners.
Free Registration for Now
Registration is currently free and available at authorised veterinary clinics across Abu Dhabi. Dr. Al Shamsi encouraged pet owners to take advantage of the grace period to ensure compliance before fines are introduced in 2026.
“This initiative reflects Abu Dhabi’s commitment to enhancing animal welfare and community health through responsible pet ownership,” she concluded.
