mobanmarketDubai – The smallest of details matter for a pet owner, especially when they are moving to a new country. Whether you want to bring your pet in with you when you move to the UAE or want to welcome a furry family member into your new home, this is all you need to know about the country’s laws and culture.
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I am moving to the UAE and want to bring my pet with me
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If you want to bring your cat or dog into the UAE, you will need an import permit from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE).
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Individuals can apply for the permit online here.
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Charges: Dh500 for request a permit to import (horses-cats-dogs) per head.
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You will need the following documents:
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• A copy of animal’s poassport of animal and immunizations certificate
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For Permission to Release:
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• Original book of vaccinations
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• Original import permit or Re-Entry card for pets
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• Original authenticated health certificate from an official, approved body
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• Customs declaration or bill of lading
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• Original report for blood test for Rabies (from requested countries according to governing decision).
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The import permit is valid for 30 days.
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Some pets may also need rabies test certificates. While there is no quarantine in the UAE, there are some breed of dogs that are banned in the UAE. These include:
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• Pitbull
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• Doberman
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• Rottweiler
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• Tosa
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• Boxer
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• Presa canario
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• Mastiffs
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All queries related to pet imports need to be raised with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment at 800 3050.
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I am looking for a pet in the UAE
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Adopt! Ask any animal welfare worker in the UAE what a family or individual should do when they are looking to get a pet, and they will recommend adoption over buying. There are hundreds of loving animals in need of a caring home and by adopting you would have a positive influence on the pet ownership market, stopping any financially lucrative activities that violate animal rights (like puppy farms).
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Regular adoption days are organised by animal welfare groups across the UAE, so a visit to one of the events could be a good experience for the family and could lead to a successful adoption. You can find the latest events organised by rescue organisations in the UAE on Gulf News here.
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Here is a list of some animal rescue centres, shelters, clinics and take-in organisations in the UAE:
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K9 Friends
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Tel: +971 4 887 8739
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Email: [email protected]
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Website: www.k9friends.com
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Animal Action UAE
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Email: [email protected]
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Protection of Animal Rights Association (PARA) UAE
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Email: [email protected]
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Red Paw Foundation
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Email: [email protected]
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Website: www.redpawfoundation.org
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Strays Needing Interim or Furever Friends (SNIFF)
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Email: [email protected]
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38smiles
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Email: [email protected]
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Website: www.38smiles.com
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Kitty Snip
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Email: [email protected]
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Abu Dhabi Animal Shelter
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Tel: +971 2 575 5155
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Email: [email protected]
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Website: www.abudhabianimalshelter.com
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Animal Welfare Al Ain (AWA)
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Email: [email protected]
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Website: www.animalwelfarealain.org
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Stray Dogs Centre UAQ
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Email: [email protected]
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Sharjah Cat and Dog Shelter
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Location: On E88, after Sharjah International Airport
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065453054
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RAK Animal Welfare Shelter
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Location: Al Jazira area, along landfill road.
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The shelter only takes in dogs and cats. You will need to pay an adoption fee of Dh735 for a cat and Dh1,050 for a dog, which covers the welfare costs of the animal along with supporting the shelter’s operations.
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Your new furry friend will be completely vaccinated, and come with a passport, microchip and a doctor’s check up.
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Email: [email protected]
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Contact: 072433184/0508866329
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However, if your heart is set on buying a specific animal or breed, you can approach any of the licensed pet shops in the UAE.
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Should you own a pet?
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Before you decide on which pet you would like to get for your family, here is a handy checklist to follow to ensure you are ready to be parents to a new pet.
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1. Can you keep your pet at home?
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This might seem like an odd question to ask but not every residential community or building allows pets. You need to check your tenancy contract to find out if it is clearly stated. Also, consider the size of your pet/pets and the size of your accommodation to ensure they are not living in cramped surroundings and have enough space to play around.
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2. Is your family ready?
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It is important to train not just the children but also the adults in the family and educate them about dealing with the animal, its needs and preferences. It is also important to check for any allergies you or your family might have to any particular breed.
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3. Is the community pet-friendly?
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This is the natural next step to check if the animal has a friendly environment. Several communities in the UAE now allow owners to walk their dogs and there are many restaurants as well that welcome dogs. However, it is important to remember that according to UAE law dogs should always be on a leash.
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4. Which is the nearest veterinary and kennel or cattery?
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There are several veterinary clinics and hospitals in the UAE but it is extremely important to remember that while there might be a few businesses that offer cheaper rates, it is crucial to contact a reputed and reliable veterinary specialist. Speak to your friends for recommendations and before you take your pet to the clinic, look up online reviews as well. Here are a few kennels and catteries in the UAE that you can contact in case you are planning a trip outside the UAE or will be unable to care for your pet temporarily:
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Posh paws pet nursery and trading
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A kennel and cattery, that charges for your pet’s stay with different rates based on whether the animal is small, medium or large.
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Address:
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Dubai Investment Park 1, Street 37, Warehouse 2 and 3.
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Contact: # 050-273-0973
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Email: [email protected]
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Dubai Kennel and Cattery
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They do not take in animals. However, they do provide you extensive
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information about taking your pet with you as you relocate.
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Location: Street 34
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Umm Ramool (near Rashidiya and Dubai Festival City)
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Dubai, UAE
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Contact: Tel: 04-285-1646
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Fax: 04-285-7167
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Email: [email protected]
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Animal Care Centre
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Boarding Kennel and cattery
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Contact: 0506467792
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Website: www.animalcarecentre.ae
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Email: [email protected]
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7. Work out the expenses
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Whether you adopt an animal or buy one, you will need to pay. There are also costs of food, grooming and litter packs that can add up, apart from the doctor’s visits and mandatory yearly vaccinations.
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Once you have welcomed the new family member, it is important to take them for regular vet visits and have their vaccinations updated.
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Federal Law No. 22 of 2016 states: ‘Dog owners must obtain a licence and vaccinations for their pets from local authorities… and keep them on a leash at all times when in public. Those who fail to do so will face a fine of at least Dh10,000, but not more than Dh100,000.’
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Chapter 5 (Federal Law No.22)
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Possession of Dogs
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Article 12 – Licensing and Obligations for the Possession of Dogs
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No one may possess a dog without having obtained a licence from the competent authority. The implementing regulation shall specify the relevant conditions and requirements.
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Article 13- A Register for the Dogs
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A register for the dogs whose possession is licensed shall be created at the competent authority. Said register shall contain all the data related to each dog and its possessor, including:
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1- The name, ID number, address, age, nationality, and place of residence of the dog’s possessor.
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2- The dog’s origin, type, colour, and distinctive marks, if any, as well as the number of the electronic chip and the vaccination record.
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Article 14 – Dealing with Dangerous Dogs
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Without prejudice to Article (4) of the present Law, every natural or legal person shall be prohibited from possessing, or trading or breeding any of the dogs classified as dangerous and specified in Annex (2) of the present Law.
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Article 15- Leashing the Dogs
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Dogs must be leashed during hiking or when taken outside the boundaries of their shelters with appropriate collars in a manner to control them; otherwise, they shall be detained and disposed of as prescribed in the implementing regulation of the present Law.
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Article 16 – Moving around with Dangerous Animals
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Without prejudice to the provisions of Article 15 of the present Law, no one may move around with a dangerous animal outside the licensed Facility.
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What medical care will my pet need?
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It is important to visit a reliable and reputed veterinary clinic to ensure your pet has receive his or her yearly vaccination.
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Each animal should be vaccinated yearly against rabies, distemper, tartar, leptospirosis and infectious hepatitis.
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It is also important to ensure they are microchipped and neutered.
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Microchips are crucial in lost animal cases. When found, the first thing the municipality will do is check for a microchip and run it against their database to find out details of the pet and the pet owner.
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Apart from these expected costs, it is also important to budget for any emergency expenses that you might need to undergo, especially if your pet has any medical conditions.
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If you are already in the UAE and are planning to relocate, we have a detailed article on how you can travel out of the country with your pet here.
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The Morning and Evening Brief###
The Morning and Evening Brief