How to relocate your pet when you leave the UAE
Are you concerned about how to safely get your fur baby home from the UAE? Understandably, you don’t want any problems and delays with relocating your pets to during the big move. Thankfully, pet relocation UAE is a simple process as long as you know the legalities involved. So, for everyone who wants to take their furry friends with them, here’s a complete guide on pet relocation from the UAE.
UAE PET EXPORT REQUIREMENTS
To move your pet from the UAE to another country, you need to make sure that:
- You have a pet export permit, also called the pet health certificate.
- Your pet is registered and micro-chipped.
- Your pet is vaccinated for rabies and has all the health checks required by the destination country.
- You have a travelling crate that complies with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) requirements.
You will be required to present the export permit, your passport and your pet’s details at the airports in the UAE for pet relocation.
THINGS YOU NEED TO CONSIDER FOR PET RELOCATION FROM THE UAE
Planning for pet relocation from the UAE might take longer than you think, especially if you’re doing everything on your own. There are several different things to consider and do before you finally put your pet on the plane.
THE PET IMPORT REQUIREMENTS OF THE DESTINATION COUNTRY
Whether you’re moving back to your home country or relocating to another one, it is important to look into their pet import requirements. There are a comprehensive set of requirements for bringing your pets into Dubai. There may be similar requirements for other countries as well.
Pet import regulations may vary from country to country. You may require things like:
- Import permits/pet passports
- Veterinary test and health certificates
- Specific treatments/vaccinations
- Other requirements (quarantine period, pet shipment timelines etc.)
Once you have a clear idea of what these requirements are, you can set out to acquire them for hassle-free relocation of your pet from the UAE to your intended destination.
WHAT ARE YOUR PET FLIGHT OPTIONS?
There are two basic options for pet owners when relocating their pet from the UAE to another country. They can choose to check-in their pets as:
- Accompanied/excess baggage
- Manifest cargo
Checking your pet into a flight as accompanied/excess baggage is generally cheaper and your pet gets to travel on the same flight as you.
Most UAE flights do not allow pets to travel in passenger cabins, but this varies from one airline to another and depends on the type, size, and breed of your furry friend. So, make sure you check this beforehand.
KEEP A CHECK ON THE VACCINATION
You need to get your pet vaccinated for everything listed in the pet import regulations of the destination country. Most countries (except a few) have a rabies vaccination as a mandatory requirement. This vaccination must be administered at least 21 days before your pet’s intended travel date and you must have proper proof of the same.
It goes without saying, you need to maintain a proper record of all the treatments and vaccinations administered to your pet over the duration of their time with you. This is regardless of whether you got your fur baby from a pet adoption centre in Dubai or brought them along when you moved to the UAE.
OBTAINING A HEALTH CERTIFICATE/PET EXPORT PERMIT
For pet relocation from the UAE, you must get a health certificate and pet export permit from the Ministry of Climate Change & Environment (MOCCAE). Your permit should be valid for at least 30 days from its date of issue. To apply for the pet health certificate in the UAE, you need to:
- Log on and create an account on the MOCCAE portal
- Fill out the e-form
- Make the payment (print the receipt for later)
- Get your pet tested or physically examined (if required)
- Obtain the electronic health certificate
Please keep in mind that the requirements of the destination country may influence the issue date of your pet health certificate. To obtain a UAE pet health certificate from the MOCCAE, you need to present the following documents:
- A certificate of origin for your pet, unless it’s a GCC native, a cat, a falcon or a dog relocation from Dubai or other emirates
- A copy of the pet import permit from the destination country unless the pet is a companion/service animal
- Any additional documents and tests required by the destination country
This service costs AED 400.
GETTING A TRAVEL BOX
Your pet’s carry cage or travel box must meet IATA standards. Any carry cage or travel box that does not comply with IATA requirements will be rejected by the airline. Besides being IATA compliant, the travel box you choose must be suitable and big enough to house your pet comfortably. Also, make sure your pet is comfortable being boxed in for long hours in the carry cage.
Pet relocation cost from UAE
The cost of pet relocation from the UAE can be categorised into three broad categories – the documentation, the freight and pet relocation service charges (if applicable).
The documentation charges include the cost of the pet health certificate (export permit), vaccinations, pet passport (import permit) and any other documentation that may be required. These costs will almost always exceed AED 400.
The freight charges, like all other things related to pet relocation, will depend on several factors. These include the airline you select, the type of pet you have, its size, weight and any other factors that airlines take into account when calculating them.
Even though most pet relocation process from the UAE can be easily managed, many people cut the chase and use pet relocation services in the UAE to take care of it on their behalf. Again, the charges for pet relocation services vary in terms of service providers, the destination country and other factors.
People have usually paid over AED 4,000 for pet relocation from Dubai and other emirates, depending on their pets and destinations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy IATA standard pet carriers in Dubai?
To ensure that your pet relocation from the UAE is successful, the pet carrier or travelling crate must comply with the rules set down by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). You can visit these pet shops in Dubai to shop for suitable travel carriers for your pet.
What are the documents required for pet relocation from the UAE?
Pet parents are required to have the following documents from the MOCCAE to export their pets from the UAE to their destination country:
- Pet Export Permit
- Electronic Health Certificate
How do I bring my pets into Dubai?
To kick start your pet relocation to Dubai, Here are some of the rules:
- Pets must have valid passports to be allowed into the UAE.
- A maximum of two pets are allowed per traveller, with each requiring an import permit.
- Animals cannot travel with the owners as in-cabin or added luggage.
- Travellers must be aware that certain dog breeds are prohibited in the UAE and cannot be imported into the country.
That’s all we have for you now on pet relocation from the UAE. For any other case-relevant queries, you can reach out to the MOCCAE on their hotline 8003050.
You can get all the tests and vaccinations required for pet relocation from the vets in Dubai. Similar services are also rendered by the veterinary clinics in Sharjah for pet export from the UAE.
Those living in the capital, who do not wish to leave the country permanently, can explore the pet hotels in Abu Dhabi to find a temporary home for their fur babies while you’re away.
Alternatively, anyone who wants to bring their furry friends along when moving to the capital can look into the specifics of pet relocation to Abu Dhabi. Once you are back, take your four-legged friend for a fun trip to the pet-friendly parks in Abu Dhabi. Residents of Dubai also have this option as there are some top dog parks in Dubai.
Have you ever relocated a pet to or from the UAE? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.
