Pet Relocation in Dubai: Moving a Dog or Cat

Three kinds of pet move

Moving a pet within Dubai is mostly about moving day: keeping the animal calm, cool and out of the way of the crew. Moving a pet out of the UAE or into it is about paperwork, vaccinations and timing, which can take months for some destinations.

Pet relocation companies handle the paperwork, vet appointments, crate and flight booking for international moves. Household movers usually do not move animals, so plan the pet move separately from the furniture: the home moving guide covers a move within Dubai and the international documents checklist covers the papers for you.

Leaving the UAE with a pet

The MOCCAE export health certificate

MOCCAE issues a veterinary health certificate for exporting live animals after an examination. The certificate is valid for 30 days from issue, and MOCCAE gives one working day as the service time. For a consignment of up to two animals for personal purposes, the fee is AED 100.

The destination's rules come first

Each country sets its own entry rules: some need a rabies antibody blood test months before travel, an import permit or a period of quarantine. Check the destination's official pet import page before anything else, because its timeline usually sets the date you can fly.

If you might bring the pet back

MOCCAE treats returning resident pets differently from new imports, but only if the pet left with a MOCCAE veterinary health certificate and its rabies vaccination is still valid when it returns. Keep copies of both.

Bringing a dog or cat into the UAE

These are MOCCAE's main conditions for importing a pet cat or dog, as published on its import service page.

Before travel

• An import permit issued through MOCCAE before the pet travels; it is valid for 90 days
• A permanent microchip matching the number on every document
• A valid rabies vaccination, given at 12 weeks of age or older, plus the other required vaccinations
• From high-risk countries, a rabies antibody test result of at least 0.5 IU/ml from an approved laboratory
• Treatment for internal and external parasites in the 14 days before shipment
• A health certificate from the exporting country's veterinary authority

Limits and banned breeds

A person may import at most two cats, two dogs or one of each per year, except resident pets returning home. MOCCAE bans the import of a list of dog breeds, including pit bull, Staffordshire and several mastiff types, so check the list before you book.

MOCCAE pet fees

Keeping a pet safe on moving day in Dubai

• Keep the pet in one closed room with water and its bed, or with a sitter, while doors are open
• Tell the crew which room is closed and put a sign on the door
• Never leave a pet in a parked car; Dubai heat is dangerous even for a short time
• Move the pet last from the old home and first into a quiet room at the new one
• Update the address on the microchip record and your pet registration

What an international pet move depends on

Destination rules

Blood tests, waiting periods and quarantine set the timeline.

Airline and route

Whether the pet can fly in the cabin, as checked baggage or as cargo varies by airline and country.

Size and crate

Larger crates cost more to fly, and the crate must meet airline rules.

Vet work

Vaccinations, tests and certificates are charged by the vet and authorities.

Moving the rest of the home abroad too? See the international moving guide for the furniture side.