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International Pet Relocation

Worldwide pet relocation to and from the UAE. Safe, suitable travel options for every pet, with care and love at every step.

Individual Approach With love and care

24/7 support By the most optimal mode of transportation

Door to Door Reliable all-inclusive service

Experience International pet transportation support

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Pet Relocation Request Form

Fill in the request and check quick answers on the right. The request will be sent to SkyPets for further contact.

Pet Relocation Request Form

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Your information is confidential and will be used only by SkyPets specialists to process your request.

Pet details 1

Pet Type Specify animal Pet Name Pet Sex Breed Weight Age / DOB Microchip Number Pet passport Vaccination

Route

From To Preferred relocation date

Contact details(Provide accurate details — they will be used to prepare your quotation.)

First Name Last Name Phone / WhatsApp Email Additional Information

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How old does my pet need to be to travel?

Pets generally need to be between 12 and 15 weeks old to travel internationally. Although airlines have different minimum age requirements, puppies younger than eight weeks are generally not accepted for air travel.

Under UAE regulations, the minimum age for an animal imported from a low-risk country is 12 weeks, while the minimum age for an animal imported from a high-risk country is 15 weeks.

Which airlines are pet-friendly?

The following airlines are commonly used for pet travel:

Lufthansa
Air France
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
American Airlines
Qatar Airways
Emirates
Royal Jordanian
British Airways
Air Canada
Delta Air Lines
Philippine Airlines

Please contact a SkyPets expert for advice on choosing an airline. We will prepare a customised travel plan tailored to your pet's needs.

Can my dog or cat travel with me in the cabin to the UAE?

For pets weighing up to 8 kg, including a soft carrier, in-cabin travel to the UAE in economy or business class is available only through the following options:

Etihad Airways to Abu Dhabi
Turkish Airlines to Abu Dhabi
A private flight to Dubai, arriving at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) or Dubai International Airport (DXB). You may charter an entire flight for yourself and your pets or book a place on a shared private flight for yourself and your pet (jet sharing). There is no weight limit for pets on private flights, and a plastic travel crate or bag is not required. Please contact our team if you need assistance.

Important: Pets are not permitted to travel in the cabin on commercial (scheduled passenger) flights to Dubai.

How should I prepare my pet for relocation?

Please start well in advance. For some destinations, such as Australia, permit applications may need to be submitted six months before travel; for other countries, applications may need to be made three to four months before the travel date.

Consider using a professional pet relocation service for expert guidance.
Visit official government websites and research the relevant rules and regulations.
Apply for the necessary import or export permits.
Visit a local vet for a health check and obtain the medical reports required for travel.
Choose a suitable IATA-approved travel crate and allow your pet to become accustomed to it. Measure your pet first to determine the correct crate size.
Keep your pet well hydrated and feed them a light meal eight hours before the flight.
Pack the essentials: food, medication and comfort items.
Confirm the airline's requirements and the import requirements for your destination.

Is it safe to transport pets in the cargo hold?

Yes, transporting pets in the cargo hold can be safe when it is done properly. Airlines follow strict guidelines, regulations and IATA protocols to protect animals travelling as cargo.

Modern aircraft cargo holds are pressurised and climate-controlled, just like the passenger cabin.
Pets may travel only in IATA-approved crates that allow them to stand, turn around and lie down comfortably.
Trained cargo-terminal staff handle pets carefully during loading and unloading.

What happens before, during and after a pet travels as cargo?

Before the flight: A SkyPets travel specialist takes your pet to the cargo terminal for check-in four to five hours in advance. Once your pet arrives at the airport, airline staff place them in a quiet waiting area. In strict accordance with IATA protocols, pets are loaded onto the aircraft last so that they do not have to wait inside for too long.

During the flight: Your pet travels in a safe, pressurised and temperature-controlled area in the aircraft's hold. No one can check on them during the flight because the hold cannot be accessed while the aircraft is airborne.

After the flight: Pets are unloaded first and then taken to the cargo terminal. If your pet has a stopover at another airport, staff may give them a short break or check that they are well before the journey continues. The SkyPets team completes all paperwork needed to clear your pet through customs, meets them upon arrival and delivers them to your home. If you arrive later or on another day, we can accommodate your pet at a comfortable pet resort operated by one of our trusted partners.

Is it safe for snub-nosed pets to travel?

Because of their unique respiratory anatomy, brachycephalic breeds – such as Persian cats, French bulldogs, Japanese chins, Pekingese and pugs – are more vulnerable to heat stress. The risk of dehydration is particularly high in hot weather. For safety reasons, many airlines impose seasonal restrictions on transporting snub-nosed breeds in cargo holds. In-cabin travel is often safer but remains subject to size restrictions and airline policies. The SkyPets travel team will assist you with every aspect of your pet's journey, from travel arrangements to expert advice.

Should I give my pet food and water before travelling?

SkyPets recommends keeping your pet well hydrated during the 48 hours before travelling. To support a smooth journey, give your pet only a light meal eight hours before departure. A slightly hungry pet is far more comfortable in transit than one dealing with an upset stomach caused by a heavy or poorly timed meal.

Pets travelling in cargo must have constant access to fresh water so that they remain hydrated and comfortable.

Should I sedate my pet to reduce travel stress?

Sedating your pet for travel is not usually recommended unless specifically advised by your vet. Although it may seem like a way to ease anxiety, sedation can interfere with your pet's ability to regulate body temperature, balance and breathing, especially during air travel.

SkyPets recommends the following gentle, effective and pet-friendly ways to reduce stress:

Non-sedative options: Products such as pheromone sprays, calming vests or supplements (e.g. chamomile or L-theanine) can help soothe your pet without the risks associated with sedation.

Prepare early: Acclimatise your pet to their carrier. Obtain it while you are still at your current residence and allow your pet to practise lying inside it. Place a favourite blanket, toy or even an item of your clothing in the carrier. Familiar scents can be very soothing.

Use sound therapy: Soft classical music or specially designed pet-calming playlists can help reduce anxiety during travel. Some pets also respond well to white noise – a gentle, continuous sound that can mask sudden noises such as vehicle horns and help your pet remain calmer during events such as turbulence.

How far in advance should I plan my pet's relocation?

Ideally, you should begin planning two to six months in advance, depending on your destination and your pet's specific needs. For some destinations, such as Australia, permit applications may need to be submitted six months before travel; for other countries, preparations may need to begin three to four months before the travel date.

We always do our best to process all veterinary documents and checks required for your pet's travel as quickly as possible. Please let us know about your travel plans at least two weeks in advance, and preferably three.

What is a rabies titre test (also called the FAVN test or RNATT)?

A rabies titre test is a blood test that checks whether your pet has enough antibodies to provide protection against rabies. Rabies vaccination is mandatory for international pet travel.

After your pet receives a rabies vaccination, you must wait 21–30 days before arranging the rabies antibody titre test. This waiting period allows your pet's immune system to produce enough antibodies for the test to detect.

How the test works:

A vet takes a blood sample from your pet.
The sample is sent to an approved laboratory.
The laboratory measures the level of rabies antibodies.
If the level is high enough, your pet passes the test.

This blood test is required when you are relocating your pet from a country classified as high-risk for rabies to a country with strict rabies controls or rabies-free status.

Our specialists provide full guidance on determining whether a country is considered high-risk or low-risk and which documents you need to obtain to meet the relevant entry requirements.

Which travel crate will my pet use, and how should I measure them?

First, measure your pet and record the following dimensions. You will use them to calculate the minimum internal dimensions of the travel crate.

A | Length: from the nose to the root of the tail, excluding the tail.
B | Front-leg length: from the floor to the elbow joint.
C | Width: measured at the widest point.
D | Height: from the floor to the top of the head or the tips of the ears while standing, whichever is higher.

Calculate the minimum internal crate dimensions as follows:

Crate length = A + half of B
Crate width = C × 2
Crate height = D + the depth of the bedding

If you need help measuring your pet or selecting a suitable crate, please contact the SkyPets team.

Crate selection tip: Snub-nosed breeds, such as pugs, require a crate that is 10% larger.