There is always excitement and concern with relocating to a new country. If you have a four-legged friend, then your concern is even greater until you are all together as a family again. For most expats in the Middle East, the biggest concern is not the new school runs or finding the best apartment in the Marina, but rather moving their pets in safety and comfort.
In case you didn’t know already, pet relocation in Dubai is more complicated than in other destinations. That is because the UAE is the only country in the Gulf Cooperation Council that is declared rabies-free. This rabies-free status is very important for them, and they must protect it at all costs. Moving to the UAE is a completely different situation than moving to other parts of Europe and North America. Moving to the UAE is a much more complicated situation with a lot more moving parts. A lot of planning is needed to manage all of the different governmental, airline, and veterinary factors that will ultimately come together for a successful move
Foundation: Legal Obligations & MOCCAE Specifications
The Foundation permits outline the animal entry processes into the Emirates. For entry permits, the Ministry of Climate Change and the Environment (MOCCAE) provides entry permits for only a few animals outside their specified criteria. To achieve this, the owner must obtain a signed legal document from a veterinarian.
- The Microchip Prerequisite: : An animal is required to have an ISO microchip that is 15 digits long, and this must be done before any vaccinations are given. Should the animal receive a rabies vaccination prior to this implantation, the vaccination will be disregarded by UAE authorities, and you will be required to start the process over, causing significant delays.
- Risk Classifications and Titer Testing: The UAE categorizes the world into a few risk classifications. It is crucial to note that if you are traveling from a country that is devoid of the “Low Risk” classification, your pet will be required to take the Rabies Antibody Titer Test (RNATT) to verify that the rabies vaccine taken by the pet has yielded a sufficient result of at least $0.5$ IU/ml.
- The Waiting Period Reality: The pet blood sample for this test must be taken no less than 21 days after the pet is vaccinated. Also, there is a 90-day mandatory period after the blood sample is taken before the pet can be taken to the UAE. Most of the time, this period is the most frustrating to the owners, and therefore, it is extremely important that you start your pet relocation journey at least 4 months before the time you plan to leave.
Why Most Owners Opt for a Pets Travel Agency
Many people mistakenly believe that pets can fly in the cabin when flying to Dubai. Although a few airlines have permitted this on a few routes, the UAE government mandates that all pets being transported to the country must travel as “Manifest Cargo.” While this phrase may sound unappealing, it describes an excellent standard of care for animals flying in the cargo hold.
Pets traveling as manifest cargo will have to have an air waybill that tracks them the entire journey. Pets will be in a pressurized and temperature-controlled environment that is the same as the passenger cabins. This method also ensures that pets are taken off the plane first and put in a temperature-controlled area, which is better than the standard cargo hold. This is better than the regular cargo hold because the regular cargo hold is noisy, while the manifest cargo is dark and quiet. This allows large and anxious breeds to be calm, which is especially helpful to brachycephalic breeds. Relocation specialists know which airlines have the best cargo holds to keep them cool.
The Logistics of Flight: Summary of Cargo vs. Cabin Travel
Many people mistakenly believe that pets can fly in the cabin when flying to Dubai. Although a few airlines have permitted this on a few routes, the UAE government mandates that all pets being transported to the country must travel as “Manifest Cargo.” While this phrase may sound unappealing, it describes an excellent standard of care for animals flying in the cargo hold.
Pets traveling as manifest cargo will have to have an air waybill that tracks them the entire journey. Pets will be in a pressurized and temperature-controlled environment that is the same as the passenger cabins. This method also ensures that pets are taken off the plane first and put in a temperature-controlled area, which is better than the standard cargo hold. This is better than the regular cargo hold because the regular cargo hold is noisy, while the manifest cargo is dark and quiet. This allows large and anxious breeds to be calm, which is especially helpful to brachycephalic breeds. Relocation specialists know which airlines have the best cargo holds to keep them cool.
Adjusting to Life in the Emirates
Adjusting to life in the Emirates will start by developing an entirely new routine. The new desert environment may take a while to get used to, so the new routine will need some flexibility. This is especially true when it comes to the new extreme temperatures. Because the new extreme temperatures will be new, pet owners will need to keep outdoor activities to early mornings and evenings to keep their pets indoors as much as possible.
All owners of dogs in Dubai must register their dogs with Dubai Municipality, along with the required Pet ID Tag, within 30 days of arriving in Dubai. This enables an owner to learn the laws concerning pets and where pets are allowed. To an owner’s delight, Dubai is more pet-friendly, including developments like Dubai Hills, Jumeirah Village Circle, and Damac Hills, where the developments are built for the love of pets. In Dubai, pets relocation is time sensitive, and ultimately, with the right guidance and preparation, the desert is a great playground.
