Destination: Taking Cats to The UAE
Taking Cats to The UAE
Taking Cats to The UAE
The United Arab Emirates is a very common destination for cats to be transported from the UK, as more and more people are moving out there. Often, cats are flown to either Dubai or Abu Dhabi, and then transported by road to their final destination. PetAir UK can use either British Airways or Emirates to fly your cat directly to Dubai, and Etihad or British Airways to get your cat to Abu Dhabi.
We’ve been flying cats all over the world since 2004, and so we are extremely confident in offering the best service possible for you. PetAir UK is owned and run by a team packed with fully qualified veterinary surgeons, animal healthcare professionals and veterinary nurses. So, although flying your cat to the UAE is slightly more complex than if you were to go to the USA, we’re here to help every step of the way.
Below is a basic step-by-step guide on what needs to be prepared in order for your cat to get an import permit and go to the UAE.
- Microchip Certificate – Your cat must be microchipped when they are at least 3 months old.
- Vaccinations – A vaccination card is required for your cat, clearly showing your cat’s up-to-date vaccinations for rabies, and the FVRCP combined feline vaccine for other infectious diseases. The rabies vaccination must be done at least 21 days before PetAir UK can apply for the import permit (and no more than one year prior to travel). The vaccination card will be submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Water, the permit will then be issued, which normally takes around 7-10 days.
- DEFRA Export Certificate – This is a health certificate for your cat that needs to be completed by a government vet the day before they fly. It involves a veterinary check to ensure that your cat is fit to travel and does not have any diseases before flying to the UAE. They will need to be treated against ticks and tapeworms at this appointment too. These documents will be checked by the government vets when your cat lands in the Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
When your cat(s) land in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai, they will be taken into an animal handling facility while they, and the paperwork, are checked. When collecting your cat, you must pay fees for local handling, veterinary checks and customs. As this process can sometimes be quite stressful for owners, a lot of people use agents to oversee and complete the clearance, and then bring the pets to their new home in the UAE. We understand that many people may not be comfortable with leaving their beloved cat with someone else, though.
There’s lots to take in when it comes to UAE cat travel. If this all seems a bit much to take in, do remember that PetAir UK are able to help with every part of the move, to take the stress away from you.
Related Locations
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Bobby to Dubai
Bobby got there with no problems and settled in well.
We really appreciated everyone’s help with moving him 🙂 Bobster even found a girlfriend in Dubai kennels 🙂 so he’s a happy boy!
We’ve just been out to see him and he’s absolutely fine. We move out in Jan! Miss him so much but can’t wait to get out there now!
Thank you once again
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Lilly the pug flew to Abu Dhabi. UAE
“Hi all
Thank you so much, Lilly has arrived safe and sound. She was extremely happy and didn’t seem at all tired when she arrived. Thank you for all the planning and exceptional care you took in getting her here safely.
Lxxxx”
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Jeeves and Wooster to Dubai
“Dear Linsey,
Thank you for the invoice – and for looking after Jeeves & Wooster so well!
They can’t have found the travelling too stressful – they still use their crate as a bed!
Thanks again
Nxxxxx”
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Gizmo to Dubai
“Thank you everyone, including those behind the scene that got gizmo out to Dubai today, she’s arrived safe and well and I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending your organisations to others that are considering relocating their pets, here’s a couple of pictures of her exploring although she is a bit shy :-D, thanks again, it is indeed gold service.”
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Sam to UAE
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to express my sincere gratitude to the entire team for the invaluable support and assistance you provided for the relocation of Sam to UAE. Your professionalism, expertise, and unwavering commitment to excellence made the entire process smooth and ‘stress-free’.
From the initial planning stages to the final execution, your team demonstrated exceptional dedication and attention to detail. Your thorough understanding of all the requirements and your proactive approach to addressing any challenges that arose along the way truly set you apart. Without any unwaveringly doubts, it was the best decision I made to seek your professional services to assist with the move. My dad and my uncle even stated how great the team were to deal with.
Moreover, your team’s friendly demeanor and willingness to go above and beyond was evident and certainly did not go unnoticed.
Moving Sam across the world was certainly daunting and felt an overwhelming experience, but it turned out to be an easier process knowing I had the team overseeing everything and ensuring it went to plan. Your commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction is truly exemplary, and it speaks volumes about the integrity of your company.
I wanted to therefore reach out and express the gratitude and let you know Sam has arrived safely and settled quickly at the new apartment. Please convey our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in making Sam’s journey a success, including Emma and her team at Snoopy Pets who moved ‘Heaven and Earth’ to ensure he got to the apartment safely without any undue stress once arriving in the UAE (well it seemed like that due to all the bureaucracy involved). It seems I was way more worked up than Sam was. I know Raymond was working hard at the DXB airport for an entire day negotiating Sam’s release. Once again, thank you for all your guidance and organisation.
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Dolly to Dubai
PetAir staff gave an excellent service from start to finish . They gave information on a clear and informative way with no room for doubt .
Their staff are so helpful and caring and only very reassured by their approach
Despite having concerns about flying our pooch from UK to Dubai she arrived safe and sound and we were so pleased to see her
Thank you so much
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Stilton to UAE – June 2019
We are all settling in nicely, including wee Stilton! He’s doing much better than we thought he would even in the short time he’s been here. Thanks again and we will be recommending to others.
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Geordie the dog flew to Abu Dhabia, UAE
Just wanted to let you know that we collected Geordie successfully and he is now settling in to his new home.
The whole thing was a bit stressful but you and the team really helped us through it – so thank you for everything.
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Maggie the pup flew to Dubai, UAE
“Hi Linsey
Thanks for the receipt and apologies for not writing a note earlier. Maggie arrived in great health and seemed absolutely fine (if a little stinky). What a great service from a to b.
She has settled in very well here in Dubai, considering the change in temperature, which I think she is slowly getting used to. Some photos attached from a very happy customer!”
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Lola the dog flew to Dubai, UAE
Hi Victoria,
Lola arrived safely, thank you so very much for all your work, we could not have done it without you!
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Brilliant service
Transporting my dog was daunting, got to be honest, but PetAirUK could not have done anything else to put me at ease. A truly remarkable service. Max, my dog, was picked up from my daughters house in the UK and delivered to my door in the UAE. I would definitely use them again. Thank you, thank you, thank you PetAir for getting Max here safely and making the whole experience a truly enjoyable one.
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Kafka the cat travelled to Dubai, UAE
Kafka has indeed arrived safely to us in Dubai. While it took several hours to clear him through customs, everything did go smoothly and he is now settling in nicely into his new home. I’ve attached a picture of him enjoying the Dubai sunshine.
Thank you very much to the PetAir team for taking care of Kafka from start to finish!
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Stanley the dog flew over to Abu Dhabi, UAE – April 2021
There are really no words to say how fantastic Pet Air have been in relocating my dog to Abu Dhabi. From the very first moment I made contact with Emma, then to Vicki and to Lindsay, and to Snoopy pets in the UAE, all my worries were listened to, explained and just made me feel that we were all in the safest pair of hands with their company. They really make you feel that your pet matters and most importantly is treated as an individual. Thank you all so much, Stanley is settling in well and we couldn’t be happier to have him with us.
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Rupert and Lolly to UAE
We couldn’t wish for a better agency to fly our dogs to Dubai. From the minute we had an email with Corrine to continuing the paperwork with Sharon, the service has been seamless. We had all of the information we needed, no stress no fuss and it took away all of the painful paperwork (which is a minefield) of our hands. They explain the full process (the flight and what it’s like for the pets) and calmed me down when I was too worried. Just incredible all around. They work very closely with Emirates and updated the airline about our deaf timid girl which then continued to the actual flight where the air hostess came to tell us that the dogs have been safely borded on the plane and gave us the temperature of their hold space (21C ha!)
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Stevie Nicks and Schnitzel flew to Dubai, UAE
Hi Linsey
Many thanks for sending this.
As for feedback…well! I can’t thank Pet Air enough, in particular Tracey, Vicki and you but most of all Alex who not only gave me a massive hug when I had to say goodbye to my beloved furries, but also kept me posted every step of the way until they boarded the plane.
I have told so many people about what a fantastic service I received from the four of you and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Pet Air.
Both Stevie Nicks and Schnitzel are settling in well to their new life in Dubai, as you can see by the pictures…this is their version of helping me unpack 189 boxes that were delivered yesterday! Thanks again ladies, we couldn’t have done it without you.
Cxxxxxxx, Pxxx, Stevie Nicks And Schnitzel. Xx