How to Apply

Learn about our direct adoption process, requirements, and relocation guidelines from Dubai to forever homes globally.

Adoption Guidelines & Criteria

Indoor & Secure Outdoor Policy

Street cats rescued in Dubai have been exposed to high risks. For their safety and health, we adopt **exclusively to indoor-only homes**. Safely fenced catios or secured balconies are highly welcomed. We are happy to consider homes with a secure, fully enclosed, cat-proof outdoor garden or outdoor space.

Minimum Adopter Age

Adopters must be **21 years or older** and head of the household. If renting, we require written, signed permission from the landlord explicitly allowing cats in the residence.

Safety window screens

If windows or balconies are opened in the residence, secure cat-proof window nets or metal mesh grids are mandatory to prevent accidental high-rise falls.

Step-by-Step Process

Submit Adoption Application

Fill out our online contact form (or copy the adoption questionnaire below to send via email or Instagram) specifying which cat you are interested in. Tell us about your housing environment, family structure, and pets.

Go to application form

Home Check

UAE Adopters: Before the adoption is finalised, we conduct a friendly in-person home visit to meet the adopter, assess the home environment, and ensure it is safe and suitable for the cat.

International Adopters: Where an in-person visit is not possible, a virtual home tour may be requested.

Video Call Meet & Greet

We schedule a video call with the cat's foster parent in Dubai. You'll get to see the cat interacting, playing, and sleeping live, and ask specific questions about their personality.

Flight Coordination & Handoff

To ensure transparency, authenticity, and legal compliance, we follow a strict, standardized process for all rescues during international travel:

Coordination with an authorized and legitimate pet relocation company.
MOCCAE (Ministry of Climate Change and Environment) health checks are mandatory before any pet travels abroad from UAE.
A Dubai9lives volunteer drops the cat off at a UAE airport on the travel date.
On arrival, the pet relocation company’s in-country team handles quarantine and health checks at the destination airport.
Final delivery is arranged by the pet relocation company’s registered pet taxis directly to the adopter’s home.

Transparency & Authenticity Promise

At Dubai Nine Lives Rescue, animal safety and legal compliance are our top priorities. This strict adoption and relocation process is followed for every single rescue. By cooperating only with registered transport partners and authorized veterinary agencies, we guarantee a secure, authentic, and stress-free journey for our cats from their Dubai foster sanctuary to their forever homes.

Apply via Email or Instagram

If you prefer, you can copy the questionnaire below, fill out the answers, and send it to us directly at hello@dubaininelives.com or DM it to us on Instagram @dubaininelives.

ADOPTION APPLICATION QUESTIONNAIRE
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1. Full Name:
2. Email Address:
3. Phone / WhatsApp Number:
4. Your Location (City, Country):
5. Cat(s) you are interested in:
6. Tell us about your housing (Apartment, House, Villa):
7. Do you own or rent the property? 
8. If renting, do you have landlord permission to keep pets?
9. Are cat-safe window nets or balcony mesh screens installed? (Mandatory):
10. Do you have other pets in the home? (Ages & breeds):
11. Have you owned cats before?
12. Tell us briefly about your daily schedule and household structure:

Adoption Fees

There is an adoption fee for each rescue cat.

We accept adoption fees from the adopters to ensure the safety of our rescues, to ensure each and every adopter who accepts our rescued cats are willing and financially able to take care of the cat for their lifetime. Every adoption fee received is a help and means to save another needy cat from the streets.

Adoption Fee Structure

UAE Adopters: 800 AED
UK Adopters: 300 GBP
Europe Adopters: 350 EURO
USA Adopters: 400 USD

*Note: Dubai Nine Lives Rescue covers all relocation and veterinary expenses end-to-end. The adoption fee is a separate requirement to finalize the adoption.

View Our Adoptables

Adopter's Readiness Checklist

Interactive list of requirements to complete before your virtual home inspection. Tick them off as you prepare!

Window Mesh / Balcony Nets Installed Windows must be fully secured with sturdy mesh netting to prevent accidental high-rise escapes or falls.

Landlord Written Cat Permit (NOC) A signed letter from your landlord explicitly permitting cats in the property if renting.

Dedicated Quiet Transition Room A small, safe room (like a spare bedroom or bathroom) where your new cat can transition calmly for the first 7-14 days.

Sufficient Food & Litter Supplies Stocked Royal Canin dry/wet food and wood pellet litter to ensure a smooth dietary transition.

Adopter Support

Our Support Doesn't End at Handoff

Transitioning a rescue cat to a new home requires patience. Dubai Nine Lives Rescue provides lifetime post-adoption coaching, behavioral advice, and transition support.

Private Adopter Community: Join our private WhatsApp community chat group where international adopters share photos, progress, and support.

Behavioral Consultation: Access our volunteer feline behavior experts for advice on scratching, integration with existing pets, or litter habits.