I’ll be honest, before I started developing and using Pet Watch, I was that pet parent who scrambled to find Tito’s vaccination booklet every time I needed to book a sitter. My Shih Tzu Tito is pretty good at many things but reminding me when his rabies shot is due isn’t one of them. And Toto, my cat, somehow always needed a vet visit right when I was least expecting it.
The vaccination reminders feature on Pet Watch changed all of that. Now, not only are Tito’s and Toto’s vaccine records stored safely in the app, but I also get timely push notifications before anything expires – so I’m never caught off guard, and every pet sitting booking I make goes through without a hitch.
If you’re a pet parent or a certified pet sitter in the UAE, read on. This feature matters more than you might think.

Why Vaccination Records Matter for Pet Sitting in the UAE
The UAE takes pet health seriously. Whether you’re in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or anywhere else across the emirates, there are clear regulations around pet vaccinations, and for good reason. Unvaccinated pets pose a risk not just to themselves, but to other animals and people they come into contact with.
When you book a pet sitter through Pet Watch, you’re trusting someone with your furry family member. And that sitter is trusting that your pet is healthy and safe to be around other animals. Vaccination records are the proof that makes both sides of that equation work.
For pet sitters specifically, working with verified, vaccinated pets mean peace of mind on every booking. No guessing, no awkward conversations, and no risk of an unvaccinated animal spreading illness to other pets in their care.
UAE Pet Vaccination Requirements
- Rabies vaccination is mandatory for all dogs and cats in the UAE.
- Dogs must also be vaccinated against distemper, parvovirus, and hepatitis.
- All pets must be microchipped and registered with the local municipality.
- Vaccination records are needed for pet boarding, grooming, and pet sitting services.
- Always check with your local emirate authority for the most up-to-date requirements.
How Pet Vaccination Records Work on Pet Watch
Pet Watch has built a genuinely simple, but thorough, system for managing your pet’s vaccination status. Here’s exactly how it works:
Step 1: Upload Your Pet’s Vaccine Photo When Creating a Profile
When you create a pet profile on Pet Watch, you’ll be asked to upload a photo of your pet’s vaccination certificate or vaccine booklet. It takes about 30 seconds, just snap a photo of the document and upload it directly through the app.
This step is mandatory, not optional. Pet Watch is designed to ensure every pet on the platform meets the health standards required for safe pet sitting in the UAE.
Step 2: Verification by the Pet Watch Team
Once you upload the vaccine photo, the Pet Watch team reviews and verifies it manually. This verification step ensures that only pets with legitimate, up-to-date vaccinations can be booked through the platform.
Currently, this verification is done by the Pet Watch team. But here’s something exciting: Pet Watch is actively developing an AI-powered scanning model that will automate this process within the next few months. Once live, vaccine certificates will be scanned and verified automatically, making the whole process even faster for pet parents.
Step 3: Your Pet’s Profile Shows Verified Vaccination Status
Once approved, your pet’s profile is marked as vaccination verified. Sitters can see this status when they receive a booking request, giving them full confidence that the pet they’re caring for is compliant with UAE health regulations.

Smart Vaccination Reminders: Never Miss a Renewal Again
- This is the part that genuinely changed things for pet parents. Pet Watch sends you push notification reminders before your pet’s vaccination expires, automatically, with zero effort on your part. Here’s the reminder schedule:
Pet Watch Vaccination Reminder Timeline
- 15 days before expiry – First reminder: time to start thinking about booking a vet appointment.
- 10 days before expiry – Second reminder: if you haven’t booked yet, now’s the time.
- 5 days before expiry – Third reminder: urgent nudge to get the renewal done.
- On the day of expiry – Final notification: your pet’s vaccination has expired and needs to be renewed at once.
All reminders are delivered as push notifications directly to your phone. No emails to miss, no calendar entries to forget. Just a gentle tap on your screen when it matters most.
How to Renew Your Pet’s Vaccination on Pet Watch
After your pet’s vaccination is renewed at the vet, updating the record on Pet Watch is simple:
- Visit your vet and get the updated vaccination certificate.
- Open the Pet Watch app and go to your pet’s profile.
- Upload a photo of the new vaccination document.
- The Pet Watch team (or soon, the AI model) will verify the new record.
- Your pet’s profile is updated and they’re ready for their next booking.

What This Means for Pet Parents Booking UAE Pet Sitting
Beyond the peace of mind, keeping your pet’s vaccinations current and verified on Pet Watch has some very practical benefits:
- Your booking requests go smoothly – no delays, no rejections due to missing health documentation.
- Verified sitters are more confident in accepting your booking, which means faster confirmation times.
- If your pet’s vaccination expires, Pet Watch will flag it – protecting both your pet and the sitter.
- You have a digital record of your pet’s vaccination history, accessible whenever you need it.
Pet parents on the platform found it particularly useful during those moments when a sitter asks for health documentation before a booking. Instead of digging through a drawer for paper booklet, you can just point to his verified Pet Watch profile. Done.
What This Means for Pet Sitters on Pet Watch
If you’re a certified pet sitter using Pet Watch, the vaccination verification system works directly in your favor. When you receive a booking request, you can see that the pet vaccinations have been reviewed and confirmed by a real person, not just self-reported by the owner.
This matters because it protects you. As a sitter caring for multiple pets, you can’t afford to have an unvaccinated animal in your care. Whether you’re offering home boarding, drop-in visits, or dog walking, you want to know every pet you work with is up to date on their shots.
The system also makes conversations with potential clients easier. You don’t have to chase pet parents for documentation; it’s already been verified before the booking even lands in your inbox.
Ready to Keep Your Pet’s Vaccination on Track?
Setting up your pet profile on Pet Watch takes just a few minutes, and once you do, you’ll have one less thing to worry about as a pet parent in the UAE.
Download the Pet Watch app now:
iOS: Download on the App Store
Android: Download on Google Play
Upload your pet’s vaccination certificate, get your profile verified, and book your next certified sitter with total confidence. Tito and Toto already have their profiles sorted, and honestly, they’ve never been more booking ready.
FAQ
How often do dogs need to be vaccinated in the UAE?
In the UAE, dogs must be vaccinated against rabies every one to three years, depending on the vaccine type used by your vet. Core vaccines, including distemper, parvovirus, and hepatitis, are typically given as a puppy series followed by boosters every one to three years. Your vet will provide a schedule tailored to your dog’s age and health status. It’s also worth checking with your local municipality (Dubai Municipality, Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, etc.) as requirements can vary slightly by emirate. For more authoritative details, consult the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment or your registered vet clinic.
What are the rules for pets in the UAE?
The UAE has clear regulations for pet ownership. All dogs and cats must be microchipped, registered with the local municipality, and vaccinated against mandatory diseases including rabies. Pets must be accompanied by a valid health certificate for any domestic travel or boarding. In public spaces, dogs must be kept on a leash, and owners are responsible for cleaning up after them. Certain dog breeds considered dangerous may face additional restrictions or require special permits depending on the emirate. For the full and current list of rules, always refer to your emirate’s official authority, such as Dubai Municipality or the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority.
How do I get my vaccine certificate in Dubai?
Your pet’s vaccination certificate is issued directly by your licensed vet clinic in Dubai after each vaccination appointment. The certificate will include your pet’s details, the vaccines administered, the dates of vaccination, and the expiry dates. Make sure your vet is registered with Dubai Municipality. Some vets will also provide a digital copy, which you can upload directly to your Pet Watch profile for verification. If you’ve lost your pet’s original certificate, contact your vet clinic; they typically keep records of all past vaccinations.
Do I need to get my pet vaccinated?
Yes! In the UAE, vaccination is not just recommended, it’s a legal requirement for pet owners. Rabies vaccination is mandatory for all dogs and cats. Beyond the legal obligation, keeping your pet vaccinated protects them from serious, potentially fatal diseases and prevents the spread of illness to other animals and, in the case of rabies, to humans. If you’re booking a pet sitter, groomer, or boarding facility, proof of vaccination is almost always needed. On Pet Watch, it’s a mandatory step before your pet profile can be approved for bookings.
By Monja Madan, Founder of Pet Watch App.
July 28, 2026
Table of contents
Why Vaccination Records Matter for Pet Sitting in the UAE
UAE Pet Vaccination Requirements
How Pet Vaccination Records Work on Pet Watch
Smart Vaccination Reminders: Never Miss a Renewal Again
How to Renew Your Pet’s Vaccination on Pet Watch
What This Means for Pet Parents Booking UAE Pet Sitting
What This Means for Pet Sitters on Pet Watch
Ready to Keep Your Pet’s Vaccination on Track?
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