The UAE is a lively, bustling region where pet communities continue to grow every day. There’s no shortage of pet services in the country. Grooming salons, boarding facilities, pet supplies shops, and veterinary clinics continue to fill the cities, especially in Dubai.

But not every animal has it easy. Many face neglect and abandonment. That’s why compassionate people have founded various animal shelters in Dubai and the UAE.

These shelters and rescue groups work tirelessly to offer cats and dogs in need a second chance in life. They give homeless animals a safe place to stay until they find their forever homes. 

While this list doesn’t cover every shelter in the UAE, the dedication and passion of these listed organizations and their volunteers make a huge difference for animals in need. 

If you’re thinking about adopting, here’s a guide to some of the best animal shelters in Dubai and the UAE.

38 Smiles

38 Smiles started with a small act of kindness, feeling a few stray cats. Now, they have grown to be one of Dubai’s most dedicated rescue groups. 

Founded in 2011 by Kremena Ivanova, 38 Smiles doesn’t have a physical shelter instead, they rely on foster homes to give rescue animals a safe space to heal before getting adopted.

One of their biggest efforts is the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program. This aims to reduce the stray population humanely. Instead of letting cats multiply on the streets, they trap them, get them neutered, and release them back into safe areas.

Because 38 Smiles is a small, volunteer-run rescue group, they continue to operate with the support and donations of the community. 

How to Get in Touch

• Phone: 050 534 6741

• Email: info38smiles@gmail.com

• Website: 38smiles.com 

• Facebook: 38smiles

• Instagram: @38smiles

Abu Dhabi Animal Shelter

Abu Dhabi Animal Shelter (ADAS) has been a rescue for abandoned and stray cats and dogs across the UAE. 

ADAS was established in 2010 under the guidance of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and supported by the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital. They not only operate in Abu Dhabi. Their efforts also reach other parts of the Emirates, including Dubai. 

The shelter is fully equipped to care for the animals they rescue. Every dog and cat receives vet medical procedures they need, like vaccinations, microchipping, and neutering. ADAS also runs a specialized laboratory where animals are treated for skin conditions and parasites.

How to Get in Touch

• Phone: +97128858100

• Email: adas@adfh.ae 

• Website: www.abudhabianimalshelter.com 

• Facebook: Abu Dhabi Animal Shelter 

• Instagram: @abudhabianimalshelter 

Al Mayya K9 Adoptions UAE

Al Mayya K9 Adoptions is not just about rescuing dogs. The group is all about giving them the life they’ve always deserved. This group rescues dogs from the streets and puppy mills that have been through a lot. But Al Mayya makes sure they get a fresh start by helping them find a forever home.

Their adoption process is thoughtful and thorough. After filling out a questionnaire to help match your lifestyle with the dog’s needs, you’ll get a chance to meet the adorable pups who are waiting to be brought home.

Al Mayya also partners with vet clinics and pet-focused businesses, such as Noble Veterinary Clinics, which host adoption days. Through these events, the group is able to reach more potential adopters with their rescue dogs.

Al Mayya K9 Adoptions not only operates throughout the UAE. They rescue and rehome dogs in the UK as well.

How to Get in Touch

• Phone: +971 56 687 2900

• Email: almayyak9.uae@gmail.com 

• Website: www.almayyak9adoptions.com 

• Facebook: Al Mayya K9 Adoptions UAE 

• Instagram: @almayyak9.uae

Amanda’s Animal Rescue

Amanda’s Animal Rescue was founded by Amanda Stevens and Dora Tokai. This rescue organization focuses on providing lost dogs with a second chance at a loving home. They also help educate the public about proper pet care.

Instead of having physical animal shelter locations, they operate through a network of compassionate foster homes. They primarily use social media to connect their rescued dogs with potential pet owners. 

Amanda’s Animal Rescue also hosts special events in collaboration with dog shelters and other establishments to give people the chance to meet the dogs and find perfect matches. They mainly work with shelters in Dubai, but their online presence reaches a wider audience. 

How to Get in Touch

• Facebook: Amanda's Animal Rescue UAE - AAR 

• Instagram: @amandasanimalrescue

Animal Rescue UAE Adoption

For abandoned cats and dogs in Dubai, Animal Rescue UAE Adoption offers a chance to find a new home with loving owners. This dedicated rescue organization is committed to helping animals from the streets and unsafe environments.

Animal Rescue UAE Adoption provides essential treatments to rescued cats and dogs. These include vaccinations, neutering, and rehabilitation. The animal shelter makes sure that all animals are physically health and emotionally ready for adoption.

They have a transparent and straightforward approach to their adoption process, with a focus on perfectly matching each animal with the right family. You can visit their social media platforms to find stories of their rescued cats and dogs.

How to Get in Touch

• Facebook: UaeAdoption. 

• Instagram: @uaeadoption

Animals & Us Fujairah

Animals & Us Fujairah was founded in 2006 by Michelle Francis after witnessing the harsh realities of animal abuse. The shelter has grown into a respected non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating dogs and cats.

They have a strong presence in Fujairah and outreach in Dubai, where they operate to provide medical care and rehabilitation for their rescue animals. They’ve fostered and rehomed hundreds of dogs and cats with their detailed process of assessing potential adopters.

Animals & Us is one of the many groups that supports the TNR program as a part of their initiative to reduce the number of strays. They also run feeding stations and community outreach programs to make a difference in the lives of more animals in need.

How to Get in Touch

• Email: contact@aauf.ae 

• Website: aauf.ae

• Facebook: Animals and Us

• Instagram: @animalsandusfuj

• More Info: Animals & Us Bio Link

Easy Adopt Dubai

Easy Adopt Dubai, founded by Akshaj Harihar, acts as a platform to connect potential adopters with trusted dog shelters. Their goal is to simplify the process of pet owners adopting rescue dogs and help these homeless animals find a responsible and loving home.

They have five core missions:

1. Matching dogs with the right families

2. Promoting responsible pet ownership

3. Building a compassionate community

4. Elevating animal welfare

5. Simplifying the adoption journey

Easy Adopt Dubai also makes sure that new pet owners are well-informed on the responsibilities of having a dog. Through their website, they provide resources and guides on dog behavior and proper care.

How to Get in Touch

• Phone: +971-547493951

• Email: info@easyadoptdubai.org 

• Website: easyadoptdubai.com

K9 Friends

Since 1989, K9 Friends has become a well-respected animal rescue organization in Dubai. They’re dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming stray and abandoned dogs.

K9 Friends cares for more than a hundred dogs at any given time. They provide these pups with medical care while waiting to be adopted. The group makes sure that every rescue receives pet vaccinations, microchipping, neutering (at the right age), and rehabilitation.

K9 Friends is run by volunteers and with the support of the government, so they can continue their mission year after year. 

How to Get in Touch

• Phone: +971 (0) 4 887 8739 / +971 (0) 50 274 1949

• Email: info@k9friends.com 

• Website: www.k9friends.com

• Facebook: K9 Friends, Dubai

• Instagram: @k9friendsdubai

Mau and Me

Mau and Me is an animal shelter in Dubai dedicated to rescuing cats. Abbey founded the organization in 2019 and has since saved and rehomed hundreds of cats who are now being cared for by loving families.

Mau and Me assures potential adopters that all their cats receive medical care, such as vaccinations, microchipping, and health check-ups. And when the cats are of the appropriate age, they also neuter the animals to help prevent overpopulation.

To help fund their operations, Mau and Me offers cat sitting services. They will also be opening a boutique (visit their website and social pages for updates), exclusively providing luxury pet items for pet owners in the Middle East.

How to Get in Touch

• Phone: (+971) 058-585-4240

• Email: hello@mauandme.com

• Website: www.mauandme.com

• Facebook: Mau and Me | Dubai

• Instagram: @mau.and.me

Meow Meow Rescue

Meow Meow Rescue is another volunteer-run, non-profit animal rescue organization that helps rehome rescued cats in Dubai. Their journey began with the rescue of a cat named Meow, who was cruelly stolen from their lead rescuer’s home.

While Meow has never been found, this has sparked the group’s mission to save as many abandoned and abused cats as they can. The group’s mission has ever since become focused on helping helpless animals, especially those that have been neglected, to get a chance at a better life.

Meow Meow Rescue has a strict indoor adoption policy. This means that all their rescued cats are only rehomed as indoor pets for their safety.

How to Get in Touch

• Email: contact@meowmeowrescue.com

• Website: www.meowmeowrescue.com

• Facebook: Meow Meow Rescue

• Instagram: @meow.meow.rescuing

Nine Lives

Nine Lives UAE’s goal is to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome stray and abandoned cats. They are focused on saving cats from unsafe environments and providing them with the medical care they need. 

Nine Lives prioritizes foster homes over a central shelter. Their team has found a way to help cats, even with limited resources, through volunteers. They also hold adoption events to connect rescued cats with families who are looking into adopting a new pet. 

Those who cannot adopt or foster can support Nine Lives UAE through donations or by volunteering in their rescue efforts.

How to Get in Touch

• WhatsApp: +971 56 351 1057

• Email: adoptions@ninelives.ae

• Website: www.ninelives.ae

• Facebook: Nine Lives - Cat Adoption

• Instagram: @9livesadoption

Ras Al Khaimah Animal Welfare Centre

The Ras Al Khaimah Animal Welfare Centre (RAK AWC) is one of the biggest cat and dog shelters in the UAE. They offer safe spaces for rescued strays and pets. They have a center that spans 20,000 square meters with a dog park, indoor kennels, catteries, and more.

This non-profit organization was founded in 2010 and has been dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating abandoned pets in Ras Al Khaimah. They promote responsible pet ownership to ensure the families who adopt their rescues can care for them properly.

RAK AWC collaborates with other cat and dog rescue groups, offering veterinary care, adoption support, and housing.

How to Get in Touch

• Phone: +07 243 3184 / +056 357 6908

• Email: rakawc@psd.rak.ae

• Website: rakawc.com

• Facebook: Ras Al Khaimah Animal Welfare Centre

• Instagram: @rakawc

Red Paw Foundation

The Red Paw Foundation is another non-profit based in Dubai that’s operating under the Emirates Animal Welfare Society (EAWS). It’s entirely run by volunteers who are dedicated to rescuing abused and injured cats and dogs. 

Every animal they rescue receives vaccinations, pet microchipping, neutering, and any medical care needed. They focus on providing emergency aid for rescued cats and dogs that are injured or ill to make sure they are well enough before adoption.

Red Paw organized adoption days and rescue events regularly to give their rescues loving homes. They also utilize social media to raise awareness about animals that need help in hopes that compassionate adopters will give them a second chance at better lives.

How to Get in Touch

• Facebook: Red Paw

• Instagram: @redpawcsr

Sharjah Cat & Dog Shelter

Sharjah Cat & Dog Shelter (SCADS) is well-known in Sharjah as an active cat and dog rescue organization. They focus their efforts on adoption programs, rescuing strays and abandoned dogs, and educating the community.

SCADS’s adoption programs include veterinary medical care for their rescues, including vaccinations, health check-ups, and neutering. This ensures that the rescue animals are ready for adoption.

SCADS also hosts adoption events wherein potential adopters can meet and greet with the cats and dogs in their shelter.

How to Get in Touch

• Phone: +971 6545 3054 / +971 5632 99669

• Snapchat: sharjahcds

• Email: scads@epaa.shj.ae

• Instagram: @sharjahcds

Stray Dogs Center UAE

Stray Dogs Center UAE believes that “Every Life Counts.” This non-profit organization was established in 2013. They follow a strict “no-kill” policy and provide long-term care for dogs even when they aren’t immediately adopted.

Stray Dogs Center operates mainly in Umm Al Quwain, but they also take in dogs that are in critical condition all around the UAE. Many of their rescues arrive at the dog shelter in poor health due to abuse, malnutrition, injuries, and neglect.

They encourage compassionate dog lovers to volunteer in any way they can, including walking, grooming, and training their rescues. For those with the capability to care for dogs, they can also foster or adopt a dog. And for those who don’t have extra time on their hands, donations are also welcome.

How to Get in Touch

• Phone: +971 6 579 5997

• Email: operations@sdc-uaq.com 

• Website: www.straydogscenteruae.com

• Facebook: Stray Dogs Center

• Instagram: @straydogscenter

The Cat Cafe

Imagine enjoying a warm cup of coffee surrounded by playful, purring cats. And the best thing is you have the chance to adopt them! That’s exactly what The Cat Cafe Dubai is—a unique and cozy cafe where you can meet rescue cats for adoption.

Every feline at The Cat Cafe has been rescued from the streets or challenging situations. The cafe serves as a cat shelter where rescues can feel safe and interact with guests and potential adopters. It’s a place that helps cats socialize and be away from dangers until they find their forever homes.

If you want to adopt a cat at this safe, you need to fill out an application form. When the cafe’s team approves your application, you can schedule an appointment to sign the adoption form, pay the fee, and take your new pet cat home. The Cat Cafe provides a complete pet passport, vaccination book, and food for each cat adopted.

How to Get in Touch

• WhatsApp: +971 55 116 5348

• Email: thecatcafedubai@gmail.com

• Website: catcafedubai.com

• Facebook: The Cat Cafe Dubai

• Instagram: @thecatcafedubai

Waggy Bond

Waggy Bond is a platform that helps rescue dogs and cats find their forever homes. They collaborate with multiple cat and dog shelters and pet welfare groups to simplify the adoption process for potential adopters.

They have a centralized approach to dog and cat adoption, which helps increase the chances of rescued animals being rehomed. The platform also encourages people to adopt from reputable shelters and rescue centers across Dubai instead of purchasing from pet shops. 

You can also find listings of pet care services on their website. This is their way of providing pet care resources for animal adopters.

How to Get in Touch

• Website: www.waggybond.com

Yanni Animal Welfare

Yani Animal Welfare is one of the first cat and dog rescue organizations in Dubai. They’re also the first non-profit of its kind that’s registered with the Government of Dubai, making them a trusted name in saving, fostering, and rehoming abandoned animals.

Yanni Animal Welfare specializes in rescuing injured, abandoned, and neglected cats and dogs. They provide medical treatments, nourishment, and care to help their rescues recover quickly. The organization also provides foster care while the rescue cats and dogs wait to be adopted.

This animal rescue group is careful when giving their rescues for adoption. They thoroughly screen potential adopters by conducting interviews and home checks. This is their way of making sure that each rescued animal is placed in a safe and loving home and family.

How to Get in Touch

• Email: info@yawdubai.com

• Website: yawdubai.com

• Facebook: YawDubai

• Instagram: @yawdubai

Conclusion

Dubai is home to a growing community of animal lovers, dedicated animal shelters, and compassionate non-profits. They work hard to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome stray and abandoned cats and dogs.

Each of these groups plays a vital part in giving animals a second chance at life. And by contributing to their cause through adopting, fostering, or volunteering, you become a part of this mission.

There are various ways to get involved even though you’re unable to adopt. But when you’re ready and capable of having a pet, we hope that you consider adopting from animal shelters that only want the best for the cats and dogs they rescue every day.