Are you considering moving to Dubai and have a pet or pets in India? A common question for every paw parent is whether they can take their furry children with them to Dubai or not, and what the relevant regulations and processes are.

This blog talks about how you can take your pets to Dubai, and all the logistics involved in transporting them to Dubai/UAE. 

What is pet relocation? 

Pet relocation is taking your pets along with you when you shift your base from one country to another. Shifting countries often presents to you the difficult choice of leaving your pets behind or bringing them with you. But do not worry, we will cover detail in this post about how you can bring your furry friends as you shift base to Dubai. 

The process of bringing your pet to Dubai can seem complex, and overwhelming. But the continued companionship of your animal friend will make the effort worthwhile. Dubai has been becoming more pet-friendly recently. Public places, such as parks and restaurants welcoming your pets is increasing each day.

As per current rules in the UAE, your pets aren’t allowed to travel with you in the cabin of an aircraft or as add-on luggage. All pets do compulsorily need to be shipped as manifested cargo, as per the regulations of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Also note that you are allowed to import a maximum of 2 pets per person to Dubai. The minimum age for the importation of dogs is 12 weeks, and for cats, it’s 15 weeks.

What are the steps to follow in order to take my pet to Dubai?

Here, we’ll guide you step-by-step through the process to bring your pet into Dubai. Do pay attention to detail, as any slip-ups may result in your pet facing unnecessary travel delays, being denied entry, or being confiscated for non-compliance.

  • Microchip:
    Dubai authorities identify your pet exclusively through a microchip. They do not accept any other form of identification. A microchip with an ID number and the registry’s phone number is implanted under the skin, between the shoulder blades of your pet with a large bore needle, in a painless process that does not require the use of anaesthesia. Your local vet can carry out this process if the microchips are available to them. Usually, you will be expected to bring along the microchip yourself, which you may buy from organisations like PAWsome, Whizzles and Pet Chip India, to name a few. Such microchips cost between Rs 1500 and Rs 2500.
    The microchip implanted into your pet should meet ISO Standard 11784 or ISO Standard 11785. In addition to microchips with the ISO standard, authorities in Dubai also accept microchips conforming to the AVID9 and AVID10 standards. The Customs officials will read the data on the microchip with a scanner to confirm the identity of your pet. Please ensure that you have the microchip implanted BEFORE your vet administers it with the rabies vaccine (described in the next step).
  • Vaccinations:
    India is considered to have a high risk of rabies, you must ensure your pet is administered the rabies vaccine between 12 weeks to 12 months before the date of arrival in Dubai, to allow the antibodies from the vaccine to develop. In addition to this, it is necessary to get your pet tested for rabies antibodies with a titer test, at least 21 days after the rabies vaccination. This test needs to be carried out at a government-approved facility. The result of the blood test has to be at least 0.5 IU/ml.
    • Additionally, dogs being brought into Dubai mandatorily need to be administered the following vaccinations (as well as the rabies vaccination):
      • Canine Distemper Virus
      • Canine Parvovirus (DHLPP)
      • Infectious Canine Hepatitis
      • Leptospirosis
      • Parainfluenza
      • Bordetella (colloquially referred to as the ‘kennel cough’ vaccine)
    • Cats being brought into Dubai mandatorily need to be administered the following vaccinations along with the rabies vaccination:
      • Feline Panleukopenia (FVRCP)
      • Feline Rhinotracheitis
      • Feline Calicivirus

  • Vaccination records – detailed and updated:
    As per the rules of Dubai, the vaccination record of your pet must be updated and compulsorily contain the following details:
    • Date of birth of your pet
    • Registration number of the microchip
    • Date when the microchip was installed in your pet
    • The exact location in your pet’s body where the microchip has been implanted
    • Date of vaccination
    • Manufacturer of the vaccine
    • The name of the product (vaccine) along with the sticker, to cross-check details
    • The batch number of the vaccine
    • The manufacture date of the vaccine and the date it is valid until
    • The signature of the vet administering the vaccine
    • The owner’s contact details
  • Import permit:
    You will need to apply for a permit that allows you to import your pet from any other country into the United Arab Emirates. This permit usually takes between 3 days to 2 weeks to issue. The import permit is valid for a period of 1 month from the date of issue. You may apply for this permit from the official website of the UAE Ministry of Climate Change & Environment.
  • Parasite treatment:
    It is compulsory to get your pet preventive treatment for parasites, both internally as well as externally by an authorised vet in a period within a maximum of 14 days before the date of travel to Dubai. Deworming is done by using Praziquantel and external parasites are removed with the use of Permethrin or Fipronil.
  • Health certificate – UAE:
    You will require a MOCCAE health certificate issued by a government-approved vet in India.
  • Banned breeds:
    The import into the UAE of certain breeds of dogs (deemed to be aggressive in nature) is strictly prohibited. The following breeds, both pure and cross, are prohibited in the UAE, including Dubai:

    • Staffordshire Bull Terrier
    • American Pit Bull Terrier
    • American Staffordshire Terrier
    • American Bully
    • Mastiff – any breed
    • Japanese Tosa
    • Rottweiler
    • Doberman Pinschers
    • Presa Canario
    • Boxer
    • Any Wolf hybrids
  • Additional regulations for cats:
    If you’re importing a cat into Dubai, the health certificate requires an annexure with regard to COVID-19. The certificate must state that the cat has not been in contact with any human or other animal infected with COVID-19, within at least 14 days from the date of shipping. In case it has come in contact with any such human or animal, the certificate is then required to state that the cat was kept under supervised observation in isolation for the same 14 days, is free from any signs of illness of the respiratory system and has also been tested for COVID-19 within 96 hours of the date of shipping, and that the result of such a test has come up negative.
  • Documentation of the owner of the pet:
    The Government of India does not allow the relocation of any pet abroad without the owner of the pet being present there. To this effect, a copy of any of the following documents of the owner of the pet – passport, visa or air ticket – is to be mandatorily produced. The UAE will also require scanned copies of your passport, Emirates ID and UAE Residence Visa when you apply for your pet’s import permit.
  • Crate Training:
    Your pet will be travelling to Dubai in a crate, and it is imperative that you acquire the correct size and train it so it is comfortable in that setting. These crates must be approved by IATA and made of fibre. Size and the specifications of the crate will depend on the breed, age, and size of your pet. You can also enquire directly with airlines like Emirates Airlines and Etihad Airlines about their facilities and procedures for pet transport.
    ​

Best Pet relocation services in Dubai

While you may arrange all the processes of relocating your pet to Dubai yourself,  you may also consider using professional pet relocation services as they ensure end-to-end compliance and delivery. These pet relocation companies charge a reasonable service fee, for ensuring your pet’s safe arrival at your doorstep.

Some well-known names in this space are:

The above companies will arrange all the paperwork and ensure that your pet is delivered from Dubai Airport to your residence. You will only need to bring your pet to the airport in India. The pet relocation companies will take care of everything else. You can contact these companies directly to get an estimate of the costs involved. The typical range for a standard, medium-sized dog is between INR 30,000 and INR 60,000.

Pet relocation Dubai costs

The costs involved in getting your pets relocated to Dubai are as follows:

  • Cost of permit to import your dog or cat (per pet): AED 200
  • Fees required to release your dog (per dog): AED 500
  • Fees required to release your cat (per cat): AED 250
  • Cost of IATA-approved crate: INR 2600 – INR 13500
  • Cost of microchip: INR 1500 – INR 2500

The prices will vary depending on your pet's size, its travel duration, etc. So make sure to check the specific costs while planning relocation.

Tips to save on pet relocation costs

Cost of crate 

The cost of the crate is one of the expensive parts of moving your pet. You will save on significant costs if you negotiate with the pet relocation company for providing the crate for relocation within the cost. 

Plan relocation in advance 

Planning the logistics of your relocation like the route of the flights, and import requirements. This will help you save on the costs. 

Schedule vet examination in advance

Getting your pet checked by the vet, and scheduling the vaccinations will help in saving cost and hassles from the government authorities for relocation. 

Conclusion

While the process to get your pets to Dubai is long and can feel complicated, you can use professional pet relocation services to expedite it. These companies will take care of all the requirements, and provide door-to-door service for your pets. The weather in Dubai is very hot in the months of June to August and are not the best times to relocate your pets, especially in the daytime. Ensure that your accommodation is within a pet-friendly community in Dubai. We hope that you and your pet family enjoy your new life in Dubai!