I got my first cat in UAE back in 2021 (Pihu , 1 year old then, British shorthair).
I had to go through the whole adoption process and during, learn many things that are not “common knowledge”.
In this article, I broke down everything. This How to Adopt a cat in Dubai guide should be enough to get you your first / next feline friend.
But before adopting a cat, you need to be ready. You should ask yourself these questions:
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- Are you mentally prepared for taking a cat?
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- Are you ready to commit time, energy and an emotional bond?
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- Do you want a kitten or an adult cat? Do you know the different characteristics with the age gap?
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- Where will you leave the cat if you are going away for a few days?
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- Do you have a busy social life?
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- Have you considered the cost?
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- Do you have the time to look after their needs?
No, you do not need to say “yes” to all the questions from above. Just be mindful that these would be your ongoing concerns. It is a lifetime commitment, after all.
The Adoption Process and Requirements
Adopting a cat can be a wonderful experience, but it’s essential to understand the process. The adoption process varies depending on where you adopt from but usually consists of several steps. To begin, you must complete an adoption application and provide details about your lifestyle and living situation. This information will assist the shelter or rescue organization to determine whether you are a good match for the cat you want to adopt.
Once your application is approved, you’ll typically meet the cat in person and spend some time getting to know them. This is an excellent opportunity to ask about the cat’s personality, behaviour, and medical history. If everything goes well and you’re ready to proceed with the adoption, you must pay an adoption fee and sign an adoption contract.
When it comes to animal adoption, there are several misconceptions that may discourage potential adopters from considering this wonderful option. One common misconception is that all shelter cats are old, sick, or have behavior problems. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth – many cats in shelters and pet rescue organizations are young, healthy, and have wonderful personalities. Some of them are even rescued from abusive situations or abandonment. Moreover, adopting a cat doesn’t have to be expensive. While there may be some costs associated with adoption, such as an adoption fee and initial veterinary care, these costs are often much lower than purchasing a cat from a breeder.
Furthermore, there are many resources available, such as cat cafes and veterinary clinics, that offer assistance to potential adopters looking for the right fit among other cats. It’s also worth noting that many shelters and rescue organizations offer discounted or waived adoption fees for special needs cats or during adoption events. By addressing these and other common misconceptions about cat adoption, we can help more people understand the benefits of adopting a cat and give more abandoned pets the second chance they deserve.
Select your Cat
This is the most crucial stage! Because here, you are going to select a furry friend with whom you may stay for the next 10 to 15 years of your life. So the best advice is “don’t rush”. Take time and think about what kind of cat is best for you. Think logically resting your emotions.
If your rescue center has the option of fostering the cat with a view to adopt then go for it. This will give you time and help to see if you and your cat are a good match.
Once you’ve found the cat of your dreams and completed any necessary paperwork, it’s time to bring them home! Be patient as your new furry friend adjusts to their new surroundings. Also for any queries, don’t hesitate to reach out to the shelter or rescue organisation.
As a proud parent of a rescued cat, give your new feline friend with love, attention, and care. Also enjoy the unconditional love and companionship they’ll bring into your life.
Where can I adopt a Cat in the dubai?
In the UAE, you can adopt from a shelter, rescue organisation, rescuer, or an individual who is giving up their pet for adoption because they can’t care for them anymore.
Shelters
An animal shelter is a facility where homeless animals live while waiting for a family to adopt them. They are cared for by staff, which usually mainly consists of volunteers and some paid staff. Animal shelters will vary in capacity, size, and the adoption processes they have. Besides finding unwanted animals new homes, shelters will almost always neuter pets prior to adoption as not to contribute to the dog and cat overpopulation, and in some cases will actively participate in some form of animal welfare education.
Rescue organizations
Rescue organizations in the UAE are run by private individuals and don’t always have a facility to house the homeless animals. Rescue organizations that don’t have a facility, often use paid boarding and foster homes to house the dogs and cats in their care. Rescue organizations often work with adoption events to help find their animals new homes.
Rescuer
Rescuers are people that rescue animals in need, either under the umbrella of a rescue organisation, or as individuals when they come across an animal in need. Just like with the rescue organisations, they rarely have a facility and homeless pets are either temporarily housed in their own home, a foster home, or paid boarding.
Which place should I choose to adopt from?
Shelter, rescue organization, rescuer, a pet that is for adoption through an owner, all sources are ok as long as you make sure you are dealing with genuine people. Sadly there are many scams around playing on the good heart of potential pet owners. Make sure to meet the dog or cat in person before going forward with the adoption. Stay away from sources that will ship a pet to you, can only show you a picture, have an exorbitant high fee, or any other signals that seem off.
List of Cat Adoption Centers in the UAE
When it comes to cat adoption in the United Arab Emirates, there are many options to choose from. While private rescue groups like Dubai’s Nine Lives and Fujairah Animals are popular, it’s important not to overlook the excellent government-run shelters that are doing their part to rehome stray cats.
1. Nine Lives
Abandoned pets face a tough survival challenge in the UAE, especially during the scorching summer desert heat. Nine Lives Adoption is a leading volunteer-based animal rehoming group in Dubai, offering a lifeline to rescued cats and kittens in need of forever homes. Without any external funding, animal shelters, or employees, we rely on the selfless dedication of passionate volunteers, fosterers, community-minded veterinarians, and supportive organizations. Our strong social media presence with 20,000 Facebook and 3,000 Instagram followers helps us spread awareness and find loving homes for our cats. To keep adoption costs low, our pets stay in foster homes, and our online adoption process is a hit among pets and adopters alike, especially in the current pandemic times.
More information is available at:
Website: https://www.ninelives.ae/
Contact: WhatsApp: +971 56 351 1057
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catsandkittensuae/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/9livesadoption/
2. Furballs Rescue
Furballs UAE, a self-funded animal rescue group based in Dubai, was founded by Emirati sisters, Fatima and Sarah Alzaaki. The group’s primary mission is to rescue, care for, and rehome abandoned cats. Before any cat is made available for adoption, they are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, microchipped, and tested for viruses, ensuring that they are healthy and ready for their forever homes. The tireless efforts of Furballs UAE and their commitment to animal welfare have helped save the lives of numerous cats in Dubai, while also proMore information is available at:
Website: https://furrballs.ae/adoption/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/furrballs_cats/
3. Chez Kitty
Despite the challenging start to their young lives, these beautiful cats are incredibly friendly and affectionate. If you adopt one of these cats, they will no doubt repay your love with endless snuggles and purrs. All of our cats are healthy, and have been vet checked, vaccinated, de-wormed, and neutered or spayed (if older than 6 months). They are also litter-box trained and used to living with other cats, making them wonderful additions to your family. Please keep in mind that if you’re adopting a kitten that’s five months or younger, they must be adopted with a friend for their socialization and well-being.
More information is available at:
Contact: +971 55 700 6114
Email: difromdubai@yahoo.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DianaTattaraki
4. Yanni Animal Welfare
Inspired by the words of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), we have made it our mission to practice charity and show goodness towards every animal. At our core, we believe that charity is the ultimate form of giving and has the power to beautify the human soul over time.
Abu Dhabi Animal Shelter
Exploring the Best Government Shelters and Cat Cafes for Cat Adoption in the UAE
5. Cloud 9 Adoption
At Cloud 9, we frequently have a variety of pets in need of a loving forever home, ranging from adorable puppies and kittens to more mature dogs and cats.
By choosing to rehome a pet from Cloud 9, you can have peace of mind knowing that your new furry friend has received all the necessary veterinary care, including vaccinations, neutering, worming, and microchipping. We take pride in ensuring that our pets are in the best health possible before finding their new family.
More information is available at:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cloud9adoption/
WhatsApp : +97125564111
6. Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital (Abu Dhabi Animal Shelter )
Managed by Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, the Abu Dhabi Animal Shelter was established in 2010 following the decision of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. This shelter provides a safe haven for abused animals and offers them a chance at a better life. All cats at the shelter are fully vaccinated, spayed or neutered, microchipped, and treated for fleas and worms before they are made available for adoption. The shelter also collaborates with veterinary clinics and rescue groups to ensure that the cats receive the best possible care.
For those looking for a specific breed of cat, the shelter offers a “Wish a Pet” section on their website where you can fill out a form in case the specific cat you’re looking for becomes available. The Abu Dhabi Animal Shelter is located at the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital site between Abu Dhabi International Airport and Al Shamkha, and is open from Monday to Thursday, 8 am to 5 pm, Friday 8 am to noon, and Sunday 8 am to 2.30 pm. Please note that the shelter is closed on Saturdays.
More information is available at:
Website: https://www.abudhabianimalshelter.com/
Contact: +97125755155
Email: adas@adfh.ae
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AbuDhabiAnimalShelter/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abudhabianimalshelter/
7. The Animal Welfare Abu Dhabi (AWAD)
At Animal Welfare Abu Dhabi (AWAD), they aim to promote animal welfare throughout Abu Dhabi by providing compassionate care to all animals, including community animals (stray animals), regardless of size, breed, age, or circumstance. They envision a future where animals are seen as a community responsibility and are given the kindness and care they deserve, working closely with veterinary clinic and other animal welfare organizations.
More information is available at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AWAD.UAE/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awad.uae/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/animalwelfareae
8. The Sharjah Cat and Dog Shelter (SCADS)
The Sharjah Cat and Dog Shelter (SCADS) is a government organization dedicated to rehabilitating, fostering, and caring for stray and abandoned pets in the emirate. SCADS has an elaborate adoption process for those interested in adopting a pet, including kittens, that have been fully vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and ready to be adopted. Additionally, SCADS offers foster care for pets in need of temporary homes. If you’re planning to bring a pet into your home, consider adopting from SCADS and give a deserving pet a second
chance at a happy life.
9. Animals and Us
A registered animal shelter located in Fujairah, managed by Michelle Manchanda, provides a safe haven for nearly 90 cats. Since its establishment in 2016, the shelter has grown into a loving home that offers forever homes to all rescued cats. By providing a loving and caring environment, the shelter aims to give all cats a chance at a happy and fulfilling life.
More information is available at:
Website: https://aauf.ae/
Email: contact@aauf.ae
Instagram: Animalsandusfuj
In Ras Al Khaimah, the Animal Welfare Center offers a variety of cats of all ages and breeds that are ready to be adopted. Meanwhile, Fujairah Municipality’s Animal Welfare Section is another excellent resource for cat adoption. These shelters offer a safe and supportive environment for cats in need, and provide them with the care they require before finding their forever homes.
Looking for kittens for sale in Dubai or cats for sale in Abu Dhabi? Consider cat adoption near you for a loving pet. Outdoor cats for adoption near you offer great companions. Adopt, don’t shop!
In conclusion, adopting a cat in the UAE is a wonderful way to give an animal in need a second chance at life. From the luxury of Cloud 9 Pet Hotel to the warmth of Chez Kitty, there are many great options available for those looking to adopt a pet. Don’t forget to also check out the various animal shelters and rescue groups, such as Animal Welfare Abu Dhabi and the Sharjah Cat and Dog Shelters, for a wider selection of cats in need of forever homes. By adopting from these organizations, you can be sure that your new furry friend has been vet checked, is healthy, and ready to be loved. So visit a cat cafe or animal shelter, and start your journey towards bringing a new feline friend into your life.
Visit Adoption Events
Beside the rescue center, you can keep an eye out for adoption events happening in your community too. These events are a fantastic opportunity to meet cats in person, interact with them, and see if there’s a connection. Plus, you’ll have the chance to speak with shelter staff and volunteers who can provide valuable insights and advice.
Remember, adopting a cat is a lifelong commitment, so be prepared to provide love and care for your furry friend for years to come. By opening your heart and home to a cat in need, you’re not only changing their life but also enriching your own in ways you never imagined. So, what are you waiting for? Start your journey to cat parenthood today and experience the joy of adoption firsthand!
