The UAE is a transient home for many of us. We come for the sunshine and tax-free salaries, but eventually, the time comes to pack up and head to our next destination.
For pet parents, this excitement is often overshadowed by dread. We’ve all heard the horror stories: paperwork nightmares, airlines rejecting crates, or pets stuck in quarantine.
Relocating with a pet requires precision, timing, and a lot of paperwork. But it is entirely doable if you start early. Here is your roadmap to a smooth departure, powered by Petzuno.
The Golden Rule: Start 3 Months Early
Do not leave this until the last minute. Some countries (like Australia, New Zealand, and the UK) have strict waiting periods after rabies vaccinations that can delay travel by months.
Phase 1: The Paperwork (The “Document Wallet”)
The biggest hurdle is the mountain of documents. You will need to coordinate between your vet, the UAE government, and the destination country.
The Essential List:
- Microchip: Must be ISO 11784/11785 compliant.
- Rabies Vaccination: Must be valid (older than 30 days but less than 1 year).
- Rabies Titer Test: Required for many EU and strict countries. This proves the vaccine worked.
- Fit-to-Fly Certificate: Issued by your vet within 10 days of travel.
- MOCCAE Export Permit: The official UAE government permission to let your pet leave.
How Petzuno Helps: Instead of carrying a messy folder of loose papers, use the Petzuno Document Wallet. Upload high-res scans of every certificate. If you lose a paper at the airport, you have the digital backup instantly accessible on your phone to show officials.
Phase 2: The Gear (The Crate)
Your pet will likely travel as “Manifest Cargo.” This sounds scary, but it’s standard. The most important safety factor is the IATA-compliant travel crate.
- Size Matters: Your pet must be able to stand up without their head touching the roof, turn around, and lie down comfortably.
- The “Water Bowl” Rule: Get a crate with a funnel-fill water bowl so staff can refill it without opening the door.
Pro Tip: Buy the crate 4 weeks early. Put it in your living room, feed your pet inside it, and make it a “happy place.” A calm pet travels safer.
Phase 3: The Logistics (The “Exit Plan”)
Keeping track of timelines is exhausting. “When do I book the flight?” “When does the Titer test expire?”
This is why we built the Petzuno Exit Plan feature.
- Select Your Destination: Tell the app where you are going.
- Dynamic Checklist: We generate a timeline based on your flight date.
- Reminders: Get pinged when it’s time to book the vet appointment or apply for the MOCCAE permit.
Cost Expectations
Be realistic about the budget. Relocating a medium-sized dog from the UAE to the UK or USA can cost between AED 8,000 and AED 15,000 depending on airlines and if you use an agent.
Do I Need an Agent?
You can do it yourself (DIY), and Petzuno helps you stay organized. However, for complex routes (like Australia), we recommend using a professional pet relocator. You can find rated and reviewed relocators in the Petzuno Service Directory.
Bon Voyage!
Leaving the UAE is the end of a chapter, but your pet’s adventure is just beginning. With the right preparation and having the right Pet Relocation Checklist, the flight will be just a short nap before they wake up in their new home.
Start your journey today. Download Petzuno and activate your Exit Plan.
You can read more about this on: IATA for crate regulations and Moccae for export permits.
