Pets
Pet Owners - Be Aware
While Zayed University works to secure appropriate housing for our employees, we are not able to accommodate the needs of pets.
Landlords are very specific about their requirements and increasingly we are seeing "no pets" rules. As a result, most ZU accommodation does not permit pets and we cannot guarantee that you will be provided housing that permits pets.
Do not plan on bringing your pet to the UAE. Should your assigned housing permit pets, you may make arrangements for transport at that time after it is confirmed, in writing, that the landlord will in fact take your particular pet.
If you are on a shorter term contract, you will absolutely not be able to bring pets with you as you will be housed in furnished accommodation and pets are not allowed.
Prior to making the decision to bring your pet with you, be sure to investigate the laws governing the return of your pet to your home country. Most pets, except birds and certain breeds of dog, are allowed into the U.A.E.
The information given below is only a guide. Additional paperwork, medical tests and preparation time, up to seven months for some countries, may be required.
Shipping
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. See the Web site of The Independent Pet and Animal Transportation Association International, Inc. for a list of pet shippers worldwide, www.ipata.com. 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 one of the kennels in the U.A.E.
Vaccination Certificate
A copy of the vaccination record should be emailed or faxed to the 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. It is advisable to check with the kennel you are using in case of any recent changes in requirements or procedure.
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.
Group 1 Countries:
All African countries, All South American countries, Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Mexico, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Syrian Arab Republic, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Yemen
Group 2 Countries:
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, U.S.A., U.K., Vatican City
If you are importing a pet from a country which is not listed above, please have the government vet of that country explain the local rabies status. Some countries are rabies-free but not yet on list 2, in which case a statement from an official government authority may be accepted by the U.A.E. to enable shipment.
General Conditions
Be sure to familiarize yourself with the general conditions of importation as outlined below:
- The shipment must be accompanied by a "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
The Good Health Certificate is issued by your veterinarian on letterhead paper mentioning the name, microchip details, 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. Below are the contact details of some of the kennels:
Dubai
Dubai Kennels and Cattery
Tel: 285-1646 Fax: 285-7167
info@dkc.ae
www.dkc.ae
Petzone
Tel: 340-2902 Fax: 321-0711
petzone@emirates.net.ae
Al Quoz Animals Care (The Doghouse)
Tel: 050 457 8874
info@dubaidoghouse.com
www.dubaidoghouse.com
Ajman
Al Zubair Animal Care
Tel: 743-5988 Fax: 743-5688
Mobile: 050 647-6487
info@azacuae.com
contactus@azacuae.com
www.azacuae.com
Abu Dhabi
German Veterinary Clinic, Khalifa City A
Tel: 02 556 2024 Fax: 02 556 2036
Mobile: 050 681 7864/ Emergency mobile: 050 615 1711
General Inquiries: info@germanvet.ae
Transport: transport@germanvet.ae
www.germanvet.ae
British Veterinary Center
Tel: 665-0085 Fax: 665-0014
General Enquiries: info@britvet.ae
Pet Transport: import@britvet.ae
www.britvet.com
American Veterinary Clinic Kennels
Tel: 551-1578 Fax: 551-1375
info@emirates.net.ae
www.avcclinic.com
National Veterinary Hospital
Tel: 446-1628 and 446-1828 Fax: 446-2548
info@nationalvet.com
www.nationalvet.com
Other Pet Resources
Pet owners, particularly those from the U.S.A., may find the following Web site helpful: www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/animals/animal_exports_pets.shtml.
Pet insurance is now being offered by Royal Sun Alliance for pets resident in the U.A.E. Please see their Web site for details https://www.rsagroup.ae/Petins.asp.
Banned Dogs
American Staffordshire Terrier
American Pit Bull Terrier
American Bull Dog
Bull Terrier
Old English Bull Dog
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Tosa
Husky
Rottweiler
Doberman
Shar Pei
Perro de presa mallorquin/Bull Dog
Neapolitan
Argentinean Mastiff
Miniature Bull Terrier
Canary dog fila brasilerio/ Brazilian Mastiff
