Pet owners in Abu Dhabi welcomed the government's decision to requireall pets to be, believing it could help address the growing issue of abandoned animals in the emirate.

Under new regulations introduced by the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), must register their animals on the TAMM platform, and failure to comply will result in fines starting next year.

Jelena Kukic, 40, expressed support for the new regulation, noting that it could help track the number of pets and their owners. "We have so many stray cats," the Serbian clinic manager said.

"I hear so many stories almost from animal welfare [groups] (almost) every day about them finding stray dogs and cats; you can’t believe how big the community here is that is dealing with that," she added.

Jelena Kukic

Kukic also highlighted the issue of owners refusing to reclaim lost or . She believes the new regulation should include automatic fines for such owners, similar to traffic violations.

Although Kukic has not yet registered her own cat, she said that she planned to do it at the weekend.

Antje Westermann, a dog behaviourist from Germany, believes that mandatory registration will help identify owners if a pet is abandoned. "If all pets are registered, we can track down the owner unless they’ve left the country," she explained. However, she noted that locating an owner is not always a solution. "I once found a dog with a microchip, but when I contacted the owner, they said they didn’t want the dog anymore."

Antje Westermann

Rasha Mohamed, a 47-year-old consultation advisor from Egypt, supports the TAMM regulation, particularly for addressing the issue of stray cats. "Everyday, there are dozens of new stray cats that had owners," she said.

Rasha is already using TNR (trap, neuter, return) methods to help manage the stray cat population. “My cats are already chipped, but if the app facilitates easier access if they get lost, it will be really good," she added.

Rasha Mohamed's cats

Commenting on the potential for insurance plans under TAMM, Westermann highlighted the high cost of veterinary care. "I had to pay Dh8,000 for surgery when my dog swallowed a fish hook," she said. "Insurance could help reduce these costs."

Meanwhile, Kukic said she would also consider getting insurance for her cat "if health insurance options are available on the TAMM portal and the terms are reasonable".

Rasha also expressed interest in insurance plans should it be made available through TAMM. "I pay around Dh3,000 per cat for healthcare," she said, noting that affordable insurance could help reduce abandonment, which is often driven by expensive vet bills.

Westermann pointed out the benefits of registration in ensuring pets are vaccinated and well cared for. "If we register and chip all pets and ensure vaccinations are up to date, we can eliminate many animal diseases," she said. In Germany, pet registration is mandatory, and owners must pay a tax for their dogs, though Westermann noted that registration in Abu Dhabi is free.

She believes mandatory registration has helped reduce the problem of stray dogs in Germany, though shelters remain full. "At least people are bringing their pets to shelters rather than abandoning them on the street," she added.

Dr Manal Al Mansoori, director of Yanni Animal Welfare in Dubai, suggested that, similar to hospital check-ins where an ID card is required, pet owners should not be allowed to visit vet clinics without registering their animals. "This would make registration mandatory for all pets, not just those whose owners are facing fines," she said.

She also believes mandatory registration could help curb illegal breeding and pet theft, practices she has encountered within the pet community.

Jill Mair, a Scottish expat, admitted she had not yet registered her cat, Stormi, on TAMM. "I find it inconvenient to fill out forms, but I know I should do it," she said. "I couldn’t bear the thought of not being able to find my cat if she got lost. It’s scary enough when I can't find her around the house."

Abandoning a pet is a violation of animal welfare laws in Abu Dhabi and can result in penalties. The Municipality imposes a fine of Dh2,000 for leaving pets on the street. Additionally, under Article 471 of the UAE Penal Code, neglecting or mistreating animals could result in fines of up to Dh5,000.

“All pet owners in Abu Dhabi are encouraged to register their pets on the TAMM app as part of the animal ownership regulations,” said Dr Mariam Al Shamsi, Animal Welfare Support analyst at the DMT, adding: “While microchipping facilitates the identification of pet owners, cases where owners refuse to reclaim their pets remain a concern.”

“The relevant authorities are continuously working on enhancing enforcement measures, including penalties for owners who abandon their pets,” Dr Al Shamsi explained. “However, there is currently no automated fine system similar to traffic violations. Abandonment cases are handled individually, in accordance with existing animal welfare and control regulations.”

Reports of abandoned pets made through the Police or TAMM’s reporting channels are dealt with under Abu Dhabi’s animal welfare laws. Dr Al Shamsi encouraged the public to report such incidents to ensure appropriate action is taken.