Updated June 2026
How It WorksHow pet relocation works in Dubai, step by step
Share your pet's travel details, review the requirements and the proposed service, then prepare for the journey with the agreed support.
General guidance is free in the guides. Bespoke document review and coordination are paid.
First: how will the pet fly?
The seven steps below assume we already know how the pet will fly. Pets entering the UAE travel as manifest cargo, except Etihad in-cabin into Abu Dhabi. Compare the modes on the flight-options hub. Airline fees are labelled on those guides. Our packages are quoted after eligibility. Then come back here for the coordination sequence.
What we coordinate, and what partners do
We do not fly the aircraft or sign the health certificate. We keep one timeline, check the documents, and brief the vet, cargo and ground partners so you are not managing each of them yourself.
We handle:
- Your single point of contact (one WhatsApp thread, one human, one timeline)
- Your MOCCAE permit application and follow-up
- Your flight booking with the airline's cargo department (not the passenger desk)
- Your IATA-certified travel crate, sized and labeled correctly
- Your vet appointment coordination and document review
- Your customs clearance at DXB or DWC cargo terminal
- Your door-to-door transport on both ends
- Your real-time updates, photos, and status reports
- Your problem-solving if anything goes sideways
Our partners handle:
- The actual veterinary examination and health certificate
- The physical cargo handling at the airport terminal
- The airline's flight operations and cargo hold
- The government inspection and stamping at customs
- The ground transport driving
We don't own an airline. We don't run a veterinary clinic. We don't employ cargo handlers. But we know exactly which ones to trust, and we manage every interaction so you don't have to. If you went direct to each provider, you'd spend 20+ hours coordinating, you'd have no backup if one fails, and if something went wrong, you'd be chasing five different phone numbers. With us, you send one WhatsApp. We handle the rest.
Tell us about your moveThe same three steps, then the full sequence
The homepage uses three steps. This page keeps those three, then sets out the longer sequence.
- 1. Share your pet's travel details
- 2. Review the requirements and proposed service
- 3. Prepare for the journey with the agreed support
Seven steps from the first message to the handover
This is the sequence we follow when you ask us to coordinate the move. After you accept a proposal, you receive a timeline with dates, deadlines and the contact for each step.
Share your pet's travel details
During published hoursSend your departure city, destination, pet details and preferred travel date on WhatsApp. We use those details to see whether the move is inbound, outbound or local, and which service applies. We reply during published hours. A proposal follows once the route and the pet are clear. It is an enquiry about your move, not a free consulting session.
You do
Send departure city, destination, pet details and a preferred travel date
We do
Read the route, check breed limits, and outline the service that fits
Typical timeline: A reply during published hours, then a proposal once the file is clear
Document Check & Eligibility Review
1–3 daysOnce you accept the quote, we audit every document your pet needs. This includes ISO 11784/11785 microchip certificate, rabies vaccination records, core vaccination records, any existing health certificates, and your passport copy for permit applications. We check for the three most common errors that cause delays: mismatched microchip numbers, expired vaccines, and health certificates issued outside the 10-day travel window. If anything is missing or wrong, we tell you immediately — not at the airport.
You do
Send photos or scans of existing documents
We do
Complete document audit, flag issues, create a checklist of what's missing
Typical timeline: 1–3 days
Partner Matching
1–2 daysNot every partner is right for every move. A vet who excels at Dubai-to-London exports may not be the best choice for a Dubai-to-Sydney move. A cargo agent who handles large dogs beautifully may not specialize in cats. We match you based on your route, your pet's size and breed, your timeline, and your budget. You get the best specialist for each step. Not a generalist who does everything adequately.
You do
Approve the partner match and service tier
We do
Select and brief the right vet, cargo agent, and ground transport partner
Typical timeline: 1–2 days
Booking & Coordination
3–10 daysThis is where the logistics come together. We book your pet's manifest cargo flight with the airline's cargo department, your IATA-certified travel crate measured to your pet's exact dimensions, your vet appointment for the pre-travel health certificate, your MOCCAE permit application, and your ground transport for pickup and delivery. We confirm in writing: flight number, date, and departure time; crate dimensions and ventilation compliance; vet appointment date and location; permit application submission date; pickup time from your home. You receive a single document with all confirmed dates, times, and contact details.
You do
Approve bookings, confirm pickup address, pay deposit
We do
Coordinate all bookings, confirm in writing, manage schedule conflicts
Typical timeline: 3–10 days (depending on route and permit processing)
Pre-Travel Preparation
2–5 days before travelIn the final days before travel, we run through our pre-flight checklist. Vet visit: Our partner vet examines your pet, issues the international health certificate, and administers any required antiparasitic treatment. We check the certificate for the three common errors: wrong date format, missing stamp, and mismatched microchip number. Crate fitting: We deliver the IATA-certified crate to your home 2–3 days before travel. Your pet gets time to explore, smell, and settle in. We provide a crate-training guide if your pet is anxious. Permit confirmation: We verify your MOCCAE permit is approved and valid for your travel date. Final update: We send you a WhatsApp message 24 hours before travel with confirmed flight details, pickup time, crate status, and your pet's current condition.
You do
Bring pet to vet appointment, help pet get comfortable in crate
We do
Verify all documents, deliver crate, run final compliance check
Typical timeline: 2–5 days before travel
Travel Day Support
1 travel dayTravel day is the most stressful part for pet owners. We know. We've been there. Pickup: Our ground transport partner collects your pet from your home at the confirmed time. We send you a photo when your pet is loaded. Airport check-in: Our cargo partner handles check-in at the DXB or DWC cargo terminal. We confirm your pet is accepted, the crate is compliant, and the flight is on schedule. Boarding: We send a photo of your pet in the holding area before boarding. In transit: We track the flight and send updates at each milestone (departure, mid-flight estimate, landing). Landing: We confirm arrival and begin customs clearance immediately. You are never left wondering. If the flight is delayed, we tell you before you ask. If there's a problem, we tell you and we tell you what we're doing about it.
You do
Be available for pickup and be near your phone for updates
We do
Coordinate pickup, check-in, tracking, customs clearance, and real-time updates
Typical timeline: 1 travel day
Arrival & Handover
2–6 hours after landingThe best part. Customs clearance: Our partner clears your pet through Dubai customs at the cargo terminal. We handle all paperwork, inspection, and fees. Health check: If required, our partner vet performs a brief arrival health check. Delivery: We transport your pet directly to your home, hotel, or designated address. We send a photo 10 minutes before arrival so you know exactly when to expect them. Reunion: Your pet is home. We follow up 24 hours later to check how they're settling in. Post-arrival support: We assist with Dubai Municipality registration via the Aleef app (required within 30 days of arrival). If you need a local vet recommendation, we connect you with our trusted partners.
You do
Be present for delivery, settle your pet in
We do
Customs clearance, delivery, follow-up, registration support
Typical timeline: 2–6 hours after landing
Radical Transparency: What Dubai Pet Relocation Handles vs. What Our Partners Handle
We don't hide our partner model. We're proud of it. Here's the exact breakdown of who does what.
| Task | Dubai Pet Relocation (Us) | Our Partners |
|---|---|---|
| Your single WhatsApp contact | Yes | No |
| MOCCAE permit application | Yes | No |
| Document review & compliance check | Yes | No |
| Flight booking with cargo department | Yes | No |
| IATA crate supply & sizing | Yes | No |
| Timeline coordination & reminders | Yes | No |
| Real-time updates & photos | Yes | No |
| Problem-solving if issues arise | Yes | No |
| Customs clearance coordination | Yes | No |
| Door-to-door transport booking | Yes | No |
| Veterinary examination | No | Yes (Vet partner) |
| Health certificate issuance | No | Yes (Vet partner) |
| Physical cargo handling at airport | No | Yes (Cargo agent) |
| Airline flight operations | No | Yes (Airline) |
| Government inspection & stamping | No | Yes (Customs broker) |
| Driving & ground transport | No | Yes (Transport partner) |
What this means for you:
You have one contact. One timeline. One invoice. But behind that one contact is a team of specialists who each do their part better than a generalist could.
If our vet partner is at capacity, we have alternatives. If our cargo partner's flight is cancelled, we rebook through another. If our transport partner is delayed, we dispatch a backup. You don't manage any of this. We do.
Meet the Specialists Behind Your Pet's Journey
We work with the same partners repeatedly because consistency matters. These are not random contractors. They are vetted, monitored, and accountable to us.
Veterinary Clinics
- German Veterinary Clinic (Dubai) — ISO microchipping, rabies vaccines, health certificates, export documentation
- British Veterinary Hospital (Dubai) — Specialist in brachycephalic breeds, pre-travel health checks
IATA-Certified Cargo Agents
- Licensed cargo agents based at DXB and DWC terminals
- Direct relationships with Emirates SkyCargo, Etihad Cargo, and flydubai Cargo
- Specialists in live animal handling and IATA LAR compliance
Airlines
- Emirates SkyCargo — Primary partner for most international routes
- Etihad Cargo — Secondary partner for specific routes and capacity backup
- flydubai Cargo — Regional and domestic routes
Customs Brokers & Ground Transport
- Licensed UAE customs brokers with MOCCAE clearance expertise
- Air-conditioned, pet-specific ground transport vehicles
- Drivers trained in pet handling and crate safety
How We Choose Partners
Every partner must pass our vetting criteria:
- License verification — Valid MOCCAE, DED, or equivalent trade license
- Certification check — IPATA, IATA LAR, or relevant professional certification
- Reference audit — Minimum 3 verified references from other pet relocation companies
- Trial period — We observe their work on 3+ relocations before adding them to our roster
- Ongoing monitoring — Quarterly review of their performance, response times, and customer feedback
If a partner drops below our standards, we remove them. No exceptions.
What You Get When You Work With Dubai Pet Relocation
One WhatsApp contact
No email ping-pong. No chasing five phone numbers. One human who knows your pet's name, your route, your timeline, and your concerns.
Real-time updates
Photo at check-in. Photo at boarding. Confirmation of departure. Confirmation of landing. If the flight is delayed, we tell you before you ask.
Document help
We review every document three times. We know the current MOCCAE forms. We submit permits ourselves. If there's an issue, we fix it before it becomes a problem.
Price protection
The quote you receive is itemized and fixed. Government fees don't change. Our service fee doesn't change. Where an error on our side causes a delay, we'll make it right — the specifics are set out in your service agreement.
WhatsApp during business hours
Message us on WhatsApp during published hours (Sunday – Thursday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM GST. Friday – Saturday, Limited / By Appointment.). For travel-day issues we prioritise replies on the active thread.
Problem-solving
If your flight is cancelled, we rebook. If your vet is delayed, we reschedule. If customs asks for an extra document, we handle it. You never handle a crisis alone.
Post-arrival support
We help with Dubai Municipality registration, local vet recommendations, and settling-in advice. Your relationship with us doesn't end at the airport.
How a quote is put together
Dubai Pet Relocation charges a coordination fee, quoted after we know the pet, the route and the support you want. Government portal fees and airline charges stay on their own invoices. Inclusions and exclusions for PawPilot, PawPartner and PawVIP are on the prices page.
| Item | How it is priced | Who pays | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MOCCAE permit / government fees | Official portal (confirm live) | You | No DPR markup. Figures circulating online conflict — we do not reprint them here. |
| Veterinary work | Vet partner quote | You | Health certificate, vaccines, titer where the route requires one |
| IATA travel crate | Sized to the animal | You | Chargeable weight follows the crate, not a breed average |
| Etihad cabin — airline fee | Fees change; confirm at booking. 2026 from-USD-399 promo (13 Apr–31 May) expired. USD 1,500 = Estimated only | You, to the airline | Not a current standard fee and not a DPR package. Emirates / flydubai / Air Arabia cabin N/A for cats and dogs (falcons excepted). |
| Emirates animal charge — airline fee | USD 500 / 650 / 800 by weight and size (source: Emirates) | You, to the airline | Airline animal-charge tiers. Into Dubai the pet often must travel as cargo — not every UAE route qualifies as baggage. |
| Cargo freight | Quoted per route and weight | You | Not a published DPR freight list. The Emirates 500/650/800 bands are airline fees, not our cargo quote. |
| Shared charter seat | Get a Quote (DPR) | You | Labelled market listings (Elite Pets / PetXJets / JetCircle / press) live on the shared-charter page — not DPR prices. |
| Private jet | Custom charter quote only | You | No all-in jet numbers on this site. |
| Dubai Pet Relocation coordination | Quoted after eligibility | You | The figure follows the pet, the route and the tier. |
What our service fee covers:
- Your dedicated relocation coordinator
- Document review and compliance checking
- MOCCAE permit application and follow-up
- Flight booking and rebooking if needed
- Crate sizing, supply, and labeling
- Vet appointment coordination
- Real-time updates and communication
- Customs clearance coordination
- Problem-solving and contingency management
- Post-arrival support and registration help
What our service fee does NOT cover:
- Government fees (MOCCAE, customs, municipality)
- Airline freight charges
- Veterinary fees
- Crate costs
- Ground transport fees
These are passed through at cost. We add nothing.
Why we don't mark up government fees:
Because that would be dishonest. Government fees are fixed. You can verify them on the MOCCAE website. Adding a margin to a fixed fee is a hidden charge, and we don't do hidden charges.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Relocation in Dubai
Official Sources
We coordinate the paperwork, but the rules are set by government and industry authorities. Always confirm the current requirements directly with the official sources.
Last verified: 6 September 2026. Confirm current figures on the official MOCCAE portal before you apply.
Ready to See How Simple Pet Relocation Can Be?
You have the sequence: share the travel details, review the proposed service, then prepare with the support you agree.
If you want us to coordinate the move, send the pet, the route and the month. We reply during published hours. Guides stay free to read. An enquiry is not a free consulting session.
Tell us about your move