UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Quwain, Ras al-Khaimah and Fujairah

Pets

Most pets, except birds and certain breeds of dog, are allowed into the U.A.E. Pets must be shipped to the U.A.E. as cargo and this can be very expensive.

You will have to contact one of the airlines to arrange shipment or you may wish to use a company specializing in shipping pets such as Life Unleashed.

The airline or shipping company will advise you of the flight details and their documentation requirements.

Import Permit:

Prior to bringing pets into the U.A.E. you must obtain an import permit for each pet. The import permit can be processed by the University or one of the kennels in the U.A.E.

Vaccination Certificate:

A copy of the vaccination record should be emailed or faxed to the Human Resources Department or kennel in the U.A.E. approximately three weeks prior to your pet’s arrival in the U.A.E. with full details of the pet - date of birth, sex, color, breed and microchip number. The vaccination record should include the dates of all vaccinations and must show a valid rabies vaccination. The certificate must be signed and stamped by your pet's veterinarian.

The only vaccination which is required in order to obtain an import permit is rabies. However, the airlines and kennels may require additional vaccinations before they will accept your pets for shipping and boarding. If you are coming from a Group 1 country, a Rabies Serum Neutralization test must be carried out by an accredited laboratory. You will have to provide the original test certificate and the Serum Antibody Titers must not be less than 0.5 IU.

General Conditions:

Be sure to familiarize yourself with the general conditions of importation as outlined below:

The shipment must be accompanied by a current veterinary health certificate "Good Health Certificate" endorsed by the veterinarian of the government of the exporting country.

The country of exportation must have been free from rabies for the three years prior to exportation.

All animals one hundred and twenty days of age or older at the time of entry into the U.A.E. must be vaccinated against rabies with an approved inactivated rabies vaccine, administered no less than one month and not more than one year prior to arrival in the U.A.E. or the three-year vaccine may be used.

The animals must be examined by a veterinarian within forty eight hours prior to their arrival in the U.A.E. and be certified as being free of any evidence of infectious or contagious diseases and external parasites. Have this certificate sent with the pet or bring it with you.

Good Health Certificate:

Issued by your veterinarian on letterhead paper mentioning the name, age, breed, color and sex of the pet. The certificate must state that the pet is rabies-free and in a healthy condition to travel. The certificate must be signed and stamped by the veterinarian and be endorsed by the veterinarian of the government of the exporting country. This certificate must accompany your pet and be issued within ten days of travel.

Microchip:

All pets must be microchipped and the microchip number must appear on all their documentation. The microchip should be a ten or fifteen digit ISO compatible microchip.

Collecting Pets from the Airport:

Once your pet has arrived in the U.A.E., the person in whose name the pet is shipped will have to go to the cargo section of the airport to collect the pet. In order to collect your pet from the airport, you will need the original import permit, vaccination and good health certificates (if not sent with the pet) and a photocopy of your passport. You will need to pay Dhs 200 to clear the veterinary department at the airport. They only accept payment with an e-dirham card and these cards are only available in the U.A.E. Alternatively, you can arrange for one of the kennels in the U.A.E. to collect your pet.

Kennels and Resources:

If you will be housed in an hotel after your arrival in the U.A.E., you will have to arrange for your pets to be boarded at one of the kennels. Kennel arrangements must be made prior to your arrival in the U.A.E. You must arrange for kennel representatives to meet the flight on which your pets are arriving so that they can take immediate custody of your pets. You will be able to visit your pets at the kennel. You are responsible for arranging and paying for the shipment and kenneling of your pets.

General Information

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven emirates situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Southwest Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman and Saudi Arabia. The UAE consists of seven states, termed emirates, which are Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Quwain, Ras al-Khaimah and Fujairah. The capital and second largest city of the United Arab Emirates is Abu Dhabi. It is also the country's center of political, industrial and cultural activities