Dubai has unveiled an innovative program aimed at supporting stray animals across the city through the introduction of smart feeding stations. The project will see 12 advanced “Ehsan Stations” installed at key locations throughout the emirate to help manage and feed stray animals in a more organised and sustainable way.
The initiative is being implemented by Dubai Municipality and represents one of the first projects of its kind in the region. These intelligent stations use artificial intelligence to detect stray animals such as cats and automatically dispense food while also collecting useful data about the animals visiting the stations.
According to officials, ten of the smart feeding units will be placed inside public parks around Dubai. The remaining two stations will be installed within properties managed by Dubai Holding.
The technology-driven approach aims to improve the management of stray animal populations while reducing the common practice of random feeding in public areas. Uncontrolled feeding can sometimes create environmental or cleanliness issues in parks and shared spaces.
By introducing designated feeding points, authorities hope to encourage a more responsible and structured way of caring for stray animals. The system is also designed to support animal welfare while helping maintain the cleanliness and visual appeal of public spaces across the city.
Dr. Naseem Mohammed Rafee, Acting CEO of the Environment Health and Safety Agency at Dubai Municipality, explained that the Ehsan Stations reflect the city’s commitment to compassion and responsible treatment of animals. He added that the project also contributes to maintaining ecological balance while promoting sustainable urban practices.
Officials believe the program strengthens Dubai’s reputation as a progressive and liveable global city that integrates innovation with community wellbeing.
The Ehsan Stations project will initially launch as a pilot phase. During this period, Dubai Municipality will monitor the system’s performance and gather data to evaluate how effectively it manages stray animal feeding before considering further expansion or improvements.