Have you been looking to bring home a furry friend? Animal shelters in the UAE provide specialist care, shelter and a brighter future for abandoned and stray animals. If you want to adopt a pet or donate your time or money, these are the shelters and rescue centres in the emirates you can contact.
ANIMAL SHELTERS IN DUBAI
DUBAI PET RESCUE TEAM (DPRT)
The Dubai Pet Rescue Team runs a dedicated animal shelter in the UAE. The team locates, checks and retrieves stray or abandoned animals in Dubai. They work on locating, trapping and checking the health of abandoned or stray animals.
Mainly, DPRT caters to dogs abandoned or surrendered by owners. This animal rescue and shelter in Dubai follows a foster care system. Please visit their official Facebook page for more information.

YANNI ANIMAL WELFARE
Yanni Animal Welfare in Dubai offers animal shelter and welfare services for cats and dogs. The organisation offers assistance to injured, strays and abandoned pets and fosters them. Yanni Welfare organises campaigns to raise awareness among the masses regarding animal care.
You can also adopt a pet from the organisation.
- Contact: +971-4-242-0660
RED PAW FOUNDATION
Red Paw Foundation provides shelter to abandoned and stray cats and dogs in Dubai. It’s one of the most prominent animal shelters in the UAE that offer pet adoption services in Dubai.
You can help by donating or volunteering for animal care at the shelter. Red Paw Foundation volunteers work tirelessly to rescue abandoned animals in Dubai.
- Contact: +97-56-135-6252
SNIFF – STRAYS NEEDING INTERIM OR FUREVER FRIENDS
SNIFF is an animal welfare centre in the UAE. The staff at the centre looks after dogs and cats until they find a new home.
SNIFF rescues injured animals and nurses them back to health with a lot of help from volunteers. You can adopt and rehome animals from their shelter. To know more, check out their official Facebook and Instagram handles.
SALUKI RESCUE ARABIA
If you want to learn more about the majestic Arabian Saluki, head to the Saluki Rescue Arabia Dubai. This centre is dedicated to fostering and caring for Arabian Saluki – a native dog breed known for its hunting skills, speed and agility. You can foster, care and adopt a Saluki here. With the correct procedures and paperwork, Salukis are sent for overseas adoption as well.
ANIMAL SHELTERS IN ABU DHABI
The Abu Dhabi Animal Shelter
The Abu Dhabi Animal Shelter was established by the Abu Dhabi Executive Council on 15th April 2010. The facility has a kitten and puppy nursery to offer food, care and protection for the most vulnerable fur babies. The Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital manages the shelter and it has all the facilities to help rehome and protect stray and unwanted pets.
All stray animals brought into the facility undergo a primary consultation through a vet after which they receive the necessary healthcare services.
The centre features an array of cats and dogs that needs a home so if you’re looking to adopt one, pay a visit and help an abandoned cat or a dog to find a forever home.
- Contact: +971-2-575-5155

Ride to Rescue
Ride to Rescue is an animal welfare centre in the UAE that primarily caters to horses. The centre is dedicated to rescuing, healing and nurturing horses mentally and physically from the aftereffects of abandonment. The rehabilitated horses under expert trainers offer classes for kids and adults.
Horsemanship is the core aspect of Emirati culture. At Ride to Rescue you can learn horse riding too. Visit the centre with children so they can learn about majestic creatures.
Interested in sponsoring a horse? The sponsorship fees start from AED 100 for one year.
- Contact: +971-52-193-5544
Strays of Abu Dhabi (SAD)
Strays of Abu Dhabi (SAD) is an animal rescue group in the UAE that works to rescue stray animals. The online volunteer community at Strays of Abu Dhabi donates time and resources to rehabilitate abandoned pets and strays.
The group follows TNR (trap-neuter-return) to help strays and pets from ending up in a puppy or kitten mill. So far, the welfare centre has successfully helped over 600 cats. The daily consumption of cat food at the centre is over 180kg. Please visit the Strays of Abu Dhabi (SAD) official Facebook page for more information.

The Animal Welfare Abu Dhabi (AWAD)
The Animal Welfare Abu Dhabi (AWAD) is an animal shelter in the UAE that creates awareness about animal rights and welfare. Besides the awareness campaigns, the centre conducts sterilisation and neutering to curb the stray cat and dog population.
If you would like to be a part of the group as a volunteer, visit the official website and Facebook page for details. It is one of the most talked-about animal rescue services in Abu Dhabi.
ANIMAL RESCUE AND SHELTERS IN SHARJAH
The Sharjah Cat and Dog Shelter (SCADS)
The Sharjah Cat and Dog Shelter (SCADS) is a government organisation that rehabilitates, fosters and cares for strays and abandoned animals in the emirate. They have an elaborate adoption process as well. If you have plans to bring a pet home, try adopting from SCADS.
- Contact: +971-56-118-7663
ANIMAL SHELTER IN RAS AL KHAIMAH
The Ras Al Khaimah Animal Welfare Centre (RAK AWC)
The Ras Al Khaimah Animal Welfare Centre (RAK AWC) is a non-profit organisation that works with the government to rescue animals in need. Established in 2010, the centre has a full-fledged veterinary hospital and doctors to care for abandoned rescued pets.
Furthermore, some of the other facilities available at the Ras Al Khaimah Animal Welfare Centre include a dog park, educational and training programs, TNR program for rehabilitation and adoption services.
- Contact: +971-56-357-6029
ANIMAL SHELTERS IN FUJAIRAH
Animals and Us Fujairah
Animals and Us Fujairah is an animal shelter that’s home to more than 300 animals. The dedicated team of volunteers ensure that all the rescued animals are properly fed, taken care of and provided with treatments by an experienced vet when needed.
Michelle Francis, a former school teacher and an animal lover, started the animal welfare organisation in 2006 to assist strays and abandoned pets. Besides cats and dogs, the shelter is also home to a group of donkeys. Animals and Us Fujairah hold awareness campaigns as well as dog and puppy adoption days to help rehome abandoned pets.
Animal Shelter in Umm Al Quwain
Stray Dogs Centre
The Stray Dogs Center at Umm Al Quwain is a private animal welfare centre in the UAE that rescues stray dogs in the emirate. The shelter was started in 2013 and Amirah Williams, Mohammad Naveed, Fiona Myers Watson and Abilash Tripakkal manage the centre. Each of the members plays a significant role in locating, rescuing and rehabilitating stray dogs.
The Stray Dog Center has an array of well-behaved dogs ready for their forever home. Become a supporter today and get a chance to get a discount on adoption fees.
- Contact: +971-50-235-2616
FAQs
DO ANIMAL SHELTERS IN THE UAE ALLOW ADOPTIONS?
Yes, animal shelters allow adoptions if you go through the adoption process. Please note that the process and paperwork may vary depending on the terms and conditions, the animal breed, permits and other conditions. You may be required to pay an adoption fee as well. One also has to register the pet. However, the process for pet registration is not that complicated.
CAN I ADOPT A SALUKI IN THE UAE?
Yes, you can adopt a Saluki in the UAE given that you have all the necessary permits and an accommodation that aptly suits this particular breed. You will need to visit an animal welfare organisations in UAE that specialises in Saluki dogs. For instance, you can visit Saluki Rescue Arabia Dubai.
That’s all for our roundup of the leading animal shelters in the UAE. These shelters are spread across the emirates. There are some other pet adoption centres in Dubai where you can explore and find a new fur baby.
The UAE is a pet-friendly country and there are several pet-friendly places in Dubai where you can go along with your furry friend. You can also dine at some of the most popular dog-friendly restaurants in Dubai to enjoy a meal with your pooch. Similarly, there are several pet-friendly places in Abu Dhabi where your four-legged friend can accompany you.
