Pet registration to cut public health risks

Pet owners in Abu Dhabi should take advantage of the grace period offered by authorities to comply with the newly introduced mandatory pet registration system through the TAMM portal, to avoid facing fines for non-compliance next year, warned a municipal official.

- Haneen Dajani

"In cases of non-compliance, we will initially educate pet owners through warnings and guidance, with no fines being enforced this year," said Dr Mariam Al Shamsi, Animal Welfare Support Analyst at the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT).

"However, starting next year, penalties will be enforced in accordance with established regulations for those who fail to comply."

This phased approach is designed to encourage voluntary compliance while ensuring that persistent non-compliance is addressed.

“It is important for us that pet owners realise that it is their pet’s welfare that is being protected by these regulations,” she added.

The new regulation was introduced to manage the growing number of stray animals in the emirate and mitigate potential public health risks, “primarily to address growing concerns related to public health, animal welfare, and community safety”, said Dr Al Shamsi.