Microchip & Registration
Pet Microchipping & Registration in Dubai.
In Dubai, microchipping and registering your cat or dog is not just good practice, it is required, and it is the single most reliable way to be reunited with a lost pet. At Paw Sisters, the microchip is implanted in seconds during a normal visit, linked to your contact details, and registered so your pet can always be traced back to you, whether they slip out of a villa gate or you are planning to travel abroad.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Hasan AlDahhak, DVM, Paw Sisters Veterinary Clinic · Reviewed 24 July 2026
What a microchip is and how it works
A microchip is a tiny, passive device about the size of a grain of rice, placed just under the loose skin between the shoulder blades. It carries no battery and no GPS; instead, it stores a unique 15-digit ISO-standard number. When a vet, shelter, or municipality officer passes a scanner over your pet, that number appears and is matched to your registered contact details, so your pet can be returned to you quickly.
What our microchipping and registration service includes
- A gentle, quick implant: the chip is placed with a single injection during a routine visit, no anaesthetic needed, and most pets barely notice it
- ISO-standard 15-digit chip: internationally readable, which matters for Dubai registration and for future travel
- Details linked and registered: we record your pet’s chip number against your up-to-date contact information
- Dubai Municipality registration guidance: we help you complete the registration required for pets in Dubai and explain what to keep on file
- A scan check for existing pets: if you have adopted or rescued, we scan first to check whether a chip is already present before implanting
- Records for travel and boarding: clear documentation you will need for export health certificates, boarding, and clinics abroad
Microchipping and registration are required in Dubai
Dubai Municipality requires dogs and cats in the emirate to be microchipped and registered, and registration is renewed on an ongoing basis rather than once for life. Beyond meeting the rules, registration keeps your details current so a found pet is matched to the right owner, not an old phone number.
Because the exact steps and renewal periods can be updated by the authorities, we work from the current requirements at the time of your visit and tell you clearly what to keep and when to renew, so your pet stays compliant.
Why microchipping matters, beyond the rules
Collars and tags fall off; a microchip does not. In a city with busy roads, high walls, and long summers when pets are more likely to bolt for a door, a chip is often the only thing standing between a lost pet and a permanent separation. It is also a legal foundation for pet travel: no cat or dog can be exported from the UAE without an ISO microchip linked to its vaccination records.
The key to it working is up-to-date information. A chip is only as useful as the phone number attached to it, which is why we make updating your details a simple part of every relevant visit.
Why microchip your pet at Paw Sisters
- Fear-free handling: a calm, gentle visit so the implant is a non-event for your pet
- Everything under one roof: combine the chip with a checkup, vaccinations, or travel prep in a single trip to Al Garhoud
- Experienced team: led by Dr. Hasan AlDahhak, DVM, with accurate records kept for registration and travel
- English and Arabic: clear help with the registration paperwork
- Open 7 days a week: with free parking at the door, minutes from Deira, Mirdif, and Festival City
Good to know
Questions, answered.
Is microchipping mandatory for pets in Dubai?
Yes. Dubai Municipality requires dogs and cats in the emirate to be microchipped and registered, and registration is kept current over time rather than done once for life. Beyond meeting the rules, it is the most reliable way to be reunited with a lost pet. Our team implants the chip and guides you through the registration at your visit.
Does microchipping hurt my cat or dog?
Only briefly. The chip is placed with a single injection under the loose skin between the shoulder blades, similar to a routine vaccination, and no anaesthetic is needed. Most pets barely react, and our fear-free approach keeps the whole visit calm. Your pet can go home and carry on as normal straight away.
How does a microchip help if my pet gets lost?
The chip holds a unique 15-digit number linked to your contact details. Any vet, shelter, or municipality officer can scan it and match the number to you, so your pet is returned quickly. Unlike a collar or tag, a microchip cannot fall off or be removed, which makes it the most dependable form of permanent ID.
My pet may already be chipped, can you check?
Yes. If you have adopted or rescued a pet, we scan first to see whether a microchip is already present before implanting a new one. If a chip is found, we help you update the registered details so they point to you. If not, we can implant and register one during the same visit.
Do I need a microchip to travel abroad with my pet?
Yes. No cat or dog can be exported from the UAE without an ISO-standard microchip, and it must be implanted before the rabies vaccination so records link correctly. If you are planning a move, ask us about our pet travel and export service so the chip, vaccinations, and paperwork are sequenced in the right order.
Can microchipping be done at the same time as vaccinations or a checkup?
Absolutely, and it often is. Because everything at Paw Sisters is under one roof, we can combine the microchip with a wellness checkup, vaccinations, or travel preparation in a single visit, which is easier on your pet and on your schedule.
Have another question? Browse our full FAQ or contact us.
More at Paw Sisters
Complete care, under one roof.
Areas we serve: Vet near Deira Vet near Festival City Vet near Mirdif