Behind the glamour of Dubai, countless animals are in desperate need of help. Thankfully, pet shelters across the city are making a significant difference by rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming these vulnerable creatures.

With heartwarming stories of second chances, these shelters provide a vital lifeline, offering care, food, and shelter to abandoned animals in need. Whether you’re thinking about adopting a new pet or looking for ways to support this meaningful cause, now is the perfect time to get involved.

Explore the top pet shelters in Dubai, where you can adopt, foster, or contribute to improving the lives of these innocent animals. Your support can truly make a difference.

11 Pet and Animal Shelters in Dubai

If you’re searching for pet shelters near me, we have compiled a list of top-ranking options that prioritize animal welfare. These pet rescue organizations are known for their excellent care, adoption services, and community outreach.

From no-kill shelters to breed-specific rescues, they offer diverse opportunities for adopting or fostering pets. We have cross-referenced their reviews, locations, and mission statements to ensure you’re connected with the best options available in your area. Lets dive in!

1. K9 Friends Dubai

K9 Friends, a renowned dog shelter Dubai has, has been rescuing and rehoming stray and abandoned dogs since 1989. The shelter cares for 120 dogs of all ages, sizes, and temperaments. Each dog is health-assessed, vaccinated, microchipped, and neutered if over six months old. For puppies under six months, adopters must sign a neuter agreement to help combat Dubai’s stray dog problem.

The shelter provides top-notch veterinary care and housing until these dogs find suitable homes. Adoption fees help cover the cost of treatments, and K9 Friends also raises awareness about responsible pet ownership. Instead of buying from breeders, adopting from the shelter gives these vulnerable dogs a second chance.

People can get involved by volunteering, donating, fostering, or sponsoring dogs in need. K9 Friends works closely with Amanda’s Animal Rescue UAE to expand its rescue efforts across the country, making a meaningful impact on the lives of many dogs.

Key Attributes

Working Hours: Monday – Saturday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Contact Number: +971-4-887-8739 / +971-50 274-1949

Email: info@k9friends.com

Fees: Dhs 1,250 for a mixed-breed dog, Dhs 1,750 for a mixed-breed puppy 12 months or under, Dhs 2,250 for a pure/designer-breed dog, Dhs 2,950 for a pure/designer-breed puppy 12 months or under.

Specialties: Dogs and puppies

Volunteers: Adults over 21 for at least 6 months, students for credit hours

2. Yanni Animal Welfare

Yanni Animal Welfare is the first non-profit organization registered under the government of Dubai, dedicated to animal rescue and welfare. They provide crucial services such as media exposure, educational lectures at schools, universities, and labor camps, as well as animal care advisory and rights consultations.

Supported by a diverse group of volunteers united by their love for animals, the organization excels in promoting animal welfare and finding permanent homes for rescued pets. They focus on helping injured, stray, and abandoned animals, fostering them until they can be rehomed.

Yanni Animal Welfare runs awareness campaigns to educate the public on responsible animal care and encourages people to volunteer in their initiatives. Adopting from Yanni gives animals a second chance at happiness and makes a meaningful difference. Their efforts not only rescue and rehabilitate cats and dogs but also raise awareness about the importance of animal care within the community.

Key Attributes

Working Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Contact Number: +971 4 242 0660

Email: info@yawdubai.com

Specialties: Dogs, Cats, Birds

Volunteers: Campaign / team lead, Regularly feeding and trapping pets for vaccination and neuter, transporting and fostering pets, walking with pets, consultant, etc

3. 38 Smiles

38 Smiles is a non-profit animal rescue Dubai organisation since 2011, registered under EAWS, that focuses on rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming stray animals both locally and internationally. The organisation, founded by Kremena Ivanova after she began feeding stray cats at her new home in Dubai, aims to address the issue of stray animals through various initiatives.

Named after the villa where Ivanova resides, 38 Smiles operates with the motto, “Help the strays of today become the pets of tomorrow.” The organisation covers all medical expenses for each rescue, ensuring they are vaccinated, microchipped, and registered. They also focus on running trap-neuter-release campaigns to help control the stray population.

In addition to rescuing injured animals and feeding strays, 38 Smiles works tirelessly to find homes for lost, abandoned, or unwanted pets. Through awareness campaigns and educational efforts, they aim to improve the situation of stray animals in Dubai.

Key Attributes

Email: info@38smiles.com

Specialties: Dogs and cats

Volunteers: Find foster homes for our rescues, assist with sales events to, help with veterinary runs and transport rescues to appointments, raise funds creatively, offer venues to hold sales and fundraising events.

4. Dubai Pet Rescue Team – DPRT

The Dubai Pet Rescue Team (DPRT) is a dedicated to locating, rescuing, and ensuring the health of abandoned and stray animals, with a primary focus on dogs that have been either surrendered or left behind by their owners. While their efforts extend to rescuing other animals when possible, their work is currently hindered by a shortage of donations and volunteers.

DPRT is among the top dog shelter UAE recognizes, for playing a crucial role in reuniting pet owners with their lost animals and raising awareness about the importance of responsible pet ownership.

The organization is urgently seeking passionate volunteers to join them in resuming their vital rescue operations and caring for the animals in need. Community support is essential to continue thriving to be among the top stray cat shelter Dubai offers.

Key Attributes

Email: dubaipetrescueteam@gmail.com

Specialties: Dogs, Cats, Birds

Volunteers: Accepts all king of volunteer work

5. Red Paw Foundation

Operating under the license of the Emirates Animal Welfare Society (EAWS), Red Paw Foundation, a non-profit organization is fully registered with the UAE government and focuses on animal welfare through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). This primarily a cat shelter Dubai, run entirely by volunteers and works to rescue abused and injured cats and dogs across the UAE.

Their efforts include vaccinating, microchipping, and neutering all rescued animals, ensuring they are well-cared for until fully rehabilitated and ready for adoption. They also conduct a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program to help manage the local cat population. In addition, the organization hosts adoption days and webinars to raise awareness about animal cruelty.

With the support of several partners, the foundation remains committed to improving animal welfare and finding forever homes for its rescues.

Key Attributes

Specialties: Cats and dogs

Volunteers: Accepts volunteers for several tasks like graphic designer to create posts and documents, rescue, foster, etc

Animal Shelter Fujairah

6. Al Mayya K9

Based in both Fujairah and the United Kingdom, the organization is owned by HRH Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. She is the daughter of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. She is also the wife of the Crown Prince of Fujairah, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad.

Licensed and operating with royal endorsement, Al Mayya K9 Adoptions and Kennels rescues and rehomes dogs, offering them a fresh start. Al Mayya K9 Adoptions is dedicated to giving every dog the chance for a loving home. With a deep passion for rescue, they take in dogs from diverse backgrounds, striving to match each one with the ideal family.

If you have the space, patience, and love to offer, explore their available dogs—you could meet your new best friend!

Key Attributes

Contact Number: +971 56 687 2900

Email: katherinemichelleignacio@yahoo.com

Specialties: Cats, dogs, rabbits

Volunteers: Promotes all kind of volunteer work

7. Animals & Us Fujairah

Founded in 2005, Animals and Us is a registered non-profit organization in the UAE, led by Michelle Mathanda, a passionate animal advocate and full-time primary school teacher. Despite her busy career, Michelle runs the shelter with the help of a few volunteers, personally handling all rescue efforts.

The shelter, based in Fujairah, provides a safe haven for over 400 dogs and nearly 90 cats, while also caring for 600 street animals and a group of donkeys. Michelle’s dedication was recognized in 2021 when she received the Outstanding Contribution to Animal Welfare Award at the Animalia Awards.

The shelter organizes regular adoption days in Dubai, shared via social media. You can also sponsor a pet through their staycation program, helping free up space for other rescues. This community-driven organization operates under the Emirates Animal Welfare Society’s license, rescuing and rehabilitating animals that are injured, abandoned, or at risk of abuse.

Key Attributes

Email: contact@aauf.ae

Fees: 1,500 dhs

Specialties: Dogs and cats

Volunteers: Sponsor monthly bills, offer temporary homes, sponsor staycation

Animal Rescue Abu Dhabi

8. The Mussafah Dog Project

The Mussafah Dog Project (MDP) is a compassionate initiative dedicated to supporting stray animals in Abu Dhabi’s industrial zone. Led by a small group of passionate volunteers, MDP works tirelessly to feed the hungry, care for injured animals, and provide shelter for those in need.

They also strive to control the stray population through a trap-neuter-return system. With around 10-15 active volunteers at any given time, most of whom are pet owners, MDP has established approximately 20 feeding stations, helping sustain hundreds of stray dogs and cats. Their community relies on donations and fostering support to continue their impactful work.

Their efforts have led to numerous heartwarming rehoming stories, both locally and internationally. MDP welcomes further involvement from animal lovers via social media and volunteer opportunities.

Key Attributes

Specialties: Dogs and cats

Volunteers: feeding program, social media marketing, screening potential adoptive homes, fostering, and transporting animals, sponsor animals for TNR program

9. Abu Dhabi Animal Shelter

The Abu Dhabi Animal Shelter, established in 2010 by the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, focuses on improving the welfare of feral cats, stray dogs, and abandoned or surrendered pets. Operating under the Abu Dhabi Municipality and housed at the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, the shelter’s goal is to find loving homes for these animals.

Through their efforts, they provide a safe and caring environment while aiming to control the feral cat population. Their vision is to meet international standards of animal welfare and ensure proper care through the ADFH Pet Care Center.

Key Attributes

Working Hours: Monday – Thursday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Friday: 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM, Sunday: 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM

Contact Number: +97128858100

Email: adas@adfh.ae

Specialties: Dogs and cats

Pet Shelter Ras Al Khaimah

10. Ras Al Khaimah Animal Welfare Centre

The Ras Al Khaimah Animal Welfare Centre (RAK AWC) is a non-profit organization under the RAK Municipality and supported by His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi. Since opening in 2010, it has focused on rehoming, socializing, training, and providing healthcare to cats and dogs.

The facility spans 22,000 square meters and features an indoor cattery, kennels, a veterinary clinic, and the largest open-air dog park in the region. RAK AWC has successfully rehomed over 3,000 pets, runs TNR programs, helps with international pet relocation, and offers pet services, including boarding and a pet shop.

They also host adoption days to find homes for animals and maintain a staff of over 25 professionals who ensure quality care. Maintaining quality service till now, they have earned 5+ pet awards.

Key Attributes

Working Hours: Saturday – Thursday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Contact Number: +072433184 / 0563576029 / +971 56 357 6013

Email: akawc@psd.rak.ae

Specialties: Dogs, cats, and rabbits

Volunteers: At least 16 years old, gives manual for basic knowledge of procedures, be a part of events and activities, certificate of appreciation on completing 30 hours, below 16 can contribute by visiting centres with parents, collect pet toys and help in fundraising

Pet Rescue Umm Al Quwain

11. Stray Dogs Center

Stray Dogs Center UAQ, a licensed non-profit, was established in 2013 to address the growing issue of stray and abandoned animals in Umm Al Quwain (UAQ), United Arab Emirates. Originally known as SOS for Emirates Dogs, the center operates with a strict “no-kill” policy and is supported entirely through public donations.

With royal approval and licenses from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and the Federal Authority, the shelter cares for over 1,300 dogs, along with some donkeys and 15 cats. Their mission is to rescue and rehabilitate abused, neglected, and forgotten animals. To date, they’ve successfully rehomed more than 7,500 dogs.

The organization holds regular adoption events and socialization activities to engage the community with the animals. Supported by a dedicated team of 25 staff members and 100 volunteers, Stray Dogs Center UAQ continues to be a safe haven for animals in need across the UAE.

Key Attributes

Contact Number: +971 6 579 5997

Email: operations@sdc-uaq.com

Fees: Dhs 1500 for dogs that have been with us up to 2 years, Dhs 1000 for dogs we have cared for 2-4 years, Dhs 500 for dogs at our shelter for more than 4 years.

Specialties: Dogs, cats, donkeys

Volunteers: walking and feeding the pets, kids under 13 are welcome for dog walking, dog socialization at least 18 years, grooming at least 14 years, engage in weekly posted activities

Final Word

The mission of animal rescue Dubai is rooted in strong compassion and dedication, offering abandoned pets hope and second chances. These top-rated shelters across Dubai and the UAE are committed to rehabilitation and finding loving homes.

Through their efforts, they create lasting connections between rescued animals and caring families. Be a part of this incredible cause and make a difference today.