As more and more people emigrate to Dubai, the question of whether you can take your pets with you to Dubai arises time and again. This article answers all the important questions about pets and taking existing pets with you.
Permission
Basically, there are several things you need to consider before simply taking your pet with you to Dubai. These points should be carefully clarified and adhered to, otherwise there may be a problem when entering the country at the airport.
1. microchip
The skin animal must have a microship in accordance with ISO 11784/11785 with a 15-digit code. This code must also be on all documents.
2. vaccinations
Depending on the type of animal, extensive vaccinations must also be carried out. For cats and dogs, this is definitely the rabies vaccination. However, you should clarify in detail exactly which vaccinations the animal needs, as there are different regulations for each species. Here are some examples:
Cats: Panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis and calicivirus.
Dogs: Distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis (DHP/DHPP) and leptospirosis.
3. import permit
To be allowed to enter the country, you also need an import permit, which must be applied for at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, or MOCCAE for short.
4. health certificate
You should also have a comprehensive health certificate issued by a vet in your home country 5 to 10 days before entering the country.
5. parasite cure
Before entering the country, a parasite treatment should be carried out professionally by a vet within 14 days so that there is no risk of importation.
Carriage & transportation
Pets are not always allowed on flights to Dubai, or it depends on the pet (size) and the airline you are flying with.
Cargo
In principle, you are not allowed to take animals in the cabin with Emirates, no matter how big or small they are. The only option is to leave the animals in the cargo hold, which is a very unpleasant experience for many animals. Other airlines have size and weight limits and may be able to carry them in the cabin.
Cabin
If you have cats or small dogs, you should therefore choose the airline Etihad from Abu Dhabi. Smaller animals are allowed in the cabin under the following conditions.
- Minimum age of the animal 16 weeks
- Maximum weight 8kg including box
- Maximum size of the box 40 x 40 x 20 cm
unless you buy an extra seat for the animal or the box, in which case it may be 50 x 43 x 50 cm in size.
Anyone bringing larger animals must also leave them in the cargo compartment at Etihad Airlines.
Private jet
If money is no object and you only want the best for your pet, then you can of course also book a private jet to take it with you. There are virtually no restrictions on what you can take with you. The costs for a jet are of course considerably higher. Depending on the size of the jet, you have to calculate 5,000 - 10,000 hours per flight hour.
Everyday life with pets in Dubai
Pets are now a big topic in Dubai, especially as more and more families (with animals) are emigrating. Accordingly, there is more and more infrastructure when it comes to animal parks, vets, spas, etc.
However, you should be aware that animals, especially dogs, are still not as popular in Muslim countries as they are in European countries. Free movement as we know it in Europe is restricted and you have to stick to the designated zones.
If you are traveling, you also have the option of bringing your pet to a special hotel. This is of course up to you and also depends on the size of the animal, as small animals can theoretically be carried in the cabin when traveling on certain airlines (as described above).
If you live in Dubai all year round, you should make sure that the animals get enough water and are not exposed to the heat, especially in summer.
Summary
In summary, it can be said that you are definitely allowed to own and import pets in Dubai. However, there are a few conditions to consider when immigrating to Dubai with your pet. In addition to numerous health checks, you should also think about the transportation itself, as only small animals can be carried in the cabin of certain airlines.
