Dubai Municipality has opened an integrated pet shelter and digital adoption platform at the Birds and Pets Market in Warsan, giving residents a way to browse rescued cats and dogs online before visiting the facility. Animal welfare volunteers and pet-industry professionals say the initiative could ease pressure on independent rescuers and make rehoming more accessible.
The Dubai Municipality integrated pet shelter provides veterinary treatment, rehabilitation, grooming and adoption services under one roof. According to Gulf News, the digital platform lets prospective adopters review health and behavioural profiles for each animal, helping them make informed decisions before arriving at the shelter.
The adoption platform is also accessible through the Dubai Municipality mobile app, available on Google Play and the App Store.
Ehsan Stations: feeding stray animals by smart device
The shelter launch sits alongside a separate Dubai Municipality programme announced earlier this year. The Dubai Media Office reported that Dubai Municipality launched its ‘Ehsan Stations’ initiative, described as the first of its kind in the region, to feed stray animals through AI-powered smart devices installed across the emirate.
The programme will place 12 smart devices across key locations: 10 units in public parks and two within facilities operated by Dubai Holding. Dubai Municipality said the pilot stage will be tested and evaluated to support further development of the initiative, according to Dr. Naseem Mohammed Rafee, Acting CEO of the Environment, Health and Safety Agency at Dubai Municipality.
The municipality said the stations aim to reduce random feeding practices that can affect public spaces and contribute to public health and environmental sustainability. Residents can report concerns related to stray animals by calling 800900.
Dubai Municipality’s existing stray-animal programmes already involve trapping cats and other strays, neutering and vaccinating them, and returning them to their original locations where they do not pose a risk to themselves or the community.
What the Dubai pet shelter means for rescuers
Rafah Arjeh, an office manager and pet-grooming business owner who owns six rescued cats, said she felt ‘genuinely happy and proud’ when she heard about the initiative. ‘Any initiative that makes rescuing, adopting and caring for stray animals easier is something I fully support,’ she said.
Arjeh said finding permanent homes remains one of the greatest challenges facing rescuers. Dogs are particularly difficult to rehome because some buildings and landlords do not permit them, and they often require more space and commitment from adopters.
She said independent rescuers need affordable veterinary treatment, temporary accommodation, foster networks and transport assistance. ‘The shelter should see rescuers, veterinary clinics and foster volunteers as partners,’ she said. ‘Good communication and coordination are essential.’
Arjeh is preparing to open RWOOFI Pet Grooming in Abu Dhabi and hopes to offer grooming services to rescued animals before adoption. ‘Grooming often improves their health, comfort and chances of being adopted,’ she said.
Andrea Petrovic, business development manager at Wunderdog, said the municipality leading the initiative gave her confidence that animal welfare was becoming a greater priority. ‘It sends a clear message that animal welfare matters,’ she said.
Petrovic cautioned that the launch should be viewed as a starting point rather than a complete solution. ‘There is still a long road ahead when it comes to reducing the number of abandoned and stray cats and dogs across the UAE,’ she said. Continued public education, tougher action against abandonment and sustained support for rescuers would remain essential, she added.
Dubai Municipality has not announced a timeline for expanding the Ehsan Stations programme beyond its current pilot phase.
