Guide to Relocation with your Pet
Meet Dexter, he is a 3 year old chiweenie (chihuahua-wiener-dog). He is so happy to be reunited with us and enjoy the warmer weather! Relocating with your pet can be quite stressful for not only you but also your pet. It also takes a lot of planning prior to ensure your pet is healthy to travel and meet the import requirements.
Here is quick guide for those worrisome pet owners like me. Keep in mind Dexter is from Canada, so the requirements and costs from your home-country may be different.
3+ months prior to relocation:
(1) Research import-requirements from UAE – please go to Ministry of Climate Change and Environment to get the latest up to date copy of the requirements. These can change up to the day you import your pet and can impact whether your pet is eligible. There are a large list of breeds that are restricted from import to UAE. Also ensure your pet meets the age requirements.
(2)Meet with home-country veterinary to discuss relocation and schedule visits accordingly
(3) Get the required vaccinations (rabies vaccinations must be 1-year), (DHPP – 1 vaccine), (Lepto – 1 vaccine), (rabies blood titre test – ensure this is done 12 weeks prior to flight). COST $800 CAD Again, please check the MOCCOE Pet Package again on the required vaccinations as they may have changed.
(4) Research quotes on relocations. You can hire a service to help you with port to port (deliver your pet from your home to airport and from there to your home in UAE). The quotes for this service was at $4661, does not include vaccination fees, just import fees and flight. If you do not need this service you CAN do this yourself no matter what they tell you- ie deliver your pet to the airport, book the flight, pick up your pet from the Abu Dhabi Airport. Read on below for the cost associated for this and process to relocate your pet without a Hired Relocation Service.
1 month prior to relocation:
(1) Book the flight – I used SEA AIR, a freight forwarding company. They were able to book the flight on my behalf. They suggested to book with KLM as they were a pet-friendly airline. It had a stop-over in AMS for Dexter to be taken care of in their pet hotel where he will be fed, let out and had a check up. The cost of the flight was $761 – requirements for UAE is for all pets to be in cargo.
(2) I kept in contact with them near daily to ensure they have all the documentation. I sent over: (a) Photos of Dexter in the Kennel/Outside the Kennel to ensure it is the appropriate kennel size (b) Microchip Registration Certificate (c) Rabies Titre Test Result (d) Vaccination Certificate
10 days prior to relocation:
(1) Bring your pet to your home-veterinary for the final check-up. Get the Health Certificate Signed.
(2) Get the Health Certificate signed by Federal Veterinary
(3) Purchase the Import Permit (purchase on the MOCCOE website, takes 5 minutes, it is only applicable for 30 days so it is better to buy it when your flight is confirmed) COST $180 CAD or 500 AED
(4) Send over copies of the Signed Health Certificate and the Import Permit to SEA AIR
On the day of Drop Off – Relocation:
(1) Ensure you bring all original copies of documentation to the airport.
(2) Bring your pet load ready – blanket/bedding in the kennel, with food/water. You can attach a small bag of his pet items to the kennel as long as it is secure.
On day of Pick Up – Relocation:
(1) Purchase a Release Permit Online (MOCCOE website). COST $362 CAD or 1000 AED
(2) Wait for the call from the Airport to confirm your pet has arrived.
(3) Drive to the Airport Cargo Village (Parking available at 10dhs each hour)
(4) Go to the Import/Export Customer Service Center – payment of Airline Charges is required (this includes airline handling, special handling etc.) COST: $130 CAD or 360 AED
(5) Got to the Import Center (Custom Center), once processed they will provide you with confirmation #.
(6) Go to the Veterinary Center for the Doctor. Ensure you have Originals with you. If the Originals are with the pet, ensure you obtain them before going to the vet. Once the vet has checked your documents, the Vet will call the police to clear the pet to the gate. You will let your pet out just enough to get the vet to scan his/her microchip This part took the longest as we had to wait for the next vet doctor to be on duty. As well, there was 1 other customer in front of us who was importing their falcon. We waited more than 2 hours here.
(7) Go back to the Customs Center with the Vet’s confirmation. Payment of $100 CAD or 300 AED for custom fee. They will provide you with the paper to hand into the Police to release the pet. For first time importers there is a fee of 100 AED to register, and 200 AED for the custom clearance.
(8) Go back to the Inspection Area and hand the paper to the police. Carry the pet out. There was a helper there who insisted on carry our pet to the car. He asked us to provide a tip. (20 AED or $7 CAD)
Total Cost: $2333 CAD or 6435 AED
This was a very lengthy process and costly. He is considered family to us so we were prepared for the costs and time involved. He is now able to cuddle in our bed and experience new adventures with us. I hope this guide has helped you if you are considering relocating your pet. Please let me know any thoughts of questions I can help with in the comments below!
