Progress, challenges, and opportunities in one of the Gulf's most dynamic animal welfare landscapes
The United Arab Emirates presents a unique and evolving animal welfare landscape. A wealthy, rapidly modernizing federation with a diverse expatriate population, a traditional Bedouin heritage that includes deep relationships with camels, falcons, and horses, and a growing middle class increasingly concerned with companion animal welfare — the UAE combines challenges and opportunities found nowhere else.
The UAE has made notable progress in animal welfare legislation over the past decade, driven partly by international alignment, partly by a significant expatriate population bringing Western welfare norms, and partly by genuine governmental commitment in several Emirates. At the same time, challenges remain significant, particularly regarding the exotic pet trade, camel racing practices, and the welfare of animals in agriculture and import.
The UAE's primary animal welfare legislation, Federal Law No. 16 of 2007 on Animal Welfare, establishes national standards for the treatment of animals. The law covers companion animals, working animals, zoo animals, and animals in research, requiring adequate care and prohibiting unnecessary cruelty.
Key provisions include requirements for veterinary care, prohibition of abandonment, restrictions on animal fighting, and standards for animal transport. Enforcement is primarily through the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and emirate-level environmental authorities.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi have developed more specific regulations building on the federal framework. Dubai's animal welfare regulations include detailed provisions on pet ownership requirements, veterinary standards, and shelter conditions. Abu Dhabi's Environment Agency has developed wildlife trade and exotic pet regulations.
The UAE is a CITES signatory and has taken steps to address its role in the illegal wildlife trade. The 2016 Federal Law on Wildlife Conservation strengthened CITES implementation and increased penalties for illegal wildlife trafficking. However, enforcement remains challenging given the UAE's position as a major trade hub.
The UAE has been a hotspot for exotic pet ownership, including big cats (lions, cheetahs, tigers) kept as status symbols. While federal law restricts exotic pet ownership, enforcement has been inconsistent. Abu Dhabi has implemented stricter regulations, and social media campaigns showing illegally kept wildlife have driven some enforcement action. The cheetah trade — with UAE connections to East African poaching — is a particularly serious welfare and conservation concern.
Camels occupy a special cultural place in UAE society, and camel racing is a national sport. The 2005 ban on child jockeys — replaced by robotic jockeys — addressed a major humanitarian concern. However, camel welfare issues remain: racing training intensity, transport between racing facilities, and culling of non-performing camels are ongoing concerns. The UAE Camel Racing Federation has introduced welfare guidelines, but independent monitoring is limited.
Falconry is a UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage practice in the UAE. The welfare of captive falcons — including housing conditions, health care, and training methods — is monitored through the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, which is world-class in its veterinary services. Wild falcon trapping for falconry purposes is more controversial and is regulated under CITES.
Stray dog and cat populations in the UAE are managed through a combination of municipal shelters, rescue organizations, and in some areas lethal control. Animal welfare advocates have been working to shift toward more humane TNVR (Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return) approaches, with some Emirates more receptive than others.
The UAE imports large quantities of live animals for slaughter, including cattle, sheep, and camels. Transport welfare from source countries (often Australia, India, and East Africa) is a concern, as is the use of slaughter methods that may not include pre-slaughter stunning. Animal welfare in the context of halal certification is an evolving area, with some halal certifiers now accepting post-cut stunning.
The UAE's pet trade includes significant volumes of tropical fish, reptiles, and birds of questionable welfare and provenance. Mall pet stores operate with variable welfare standards. Advocacy organizations have been pushing for stronger retail standards and transparency in supply chains.
The UAE's 2005 replacement of child jockeys with lightweight robotic jockeys in camel racing was a world-first that addressed a major humanitarian and animal welfare concern simultaneously. The technology has since been adopted in other Gulf states.
Following social media exposure of illegally kept big cats in Dubai, UAE authorities conducted enforcement actions resulting in confiscations. Abu Dhabi's strict licensing system for exotic animals has reduced visible illegal ownership, though underground trade continues.
The UAE has a vibrant expatriate-driven animal rescue community. Organizations like K9 Friends Dubai, Feline Friends Dubai, and Arabian Mau (cat) rescue organizations have substantially increased adoption rates for stray and abandoned companion animals and have advocated for policy improvements.
The UAE has developed a strong veterinary infrastructure, including the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital (world-renowned), specialist exotic animal veterinary services, and modern companion animal hospitals. This infrastructure supports better animal health outcomes and creates professional expertise that informs welfare policy.
The UAE's diverse expatriate population and progressive food culture have made it a regional leader in plant-based food adoption. Dubai's food scene has embraced vegan restaurants, and major retailers carry extensive plant-based ranges. This market development contributes to regional norm-setting across the Gulf and wider MENA region.
Primary federal body for animal welfare and wildlife regulation. Oversees CITES implementation, livestock welfare standards, and animal import/export regulations.
World-leading raptor veterinary center. Provides health services for racing and falconry falcons and contributes to international raptor welfare research.
Long-established companion animal rescue organization. Runs Dubai's largest dog adoption program and advocates for stronger companion animal welfare regulations.
Advocacy organization focused on companion animal welfare, shelter reform, and TNVR program development. Has engaged with municipal governments on stray animal management policies.
Animal welfare advocates in the UAE identify several priority areas for the next five years: