With the advent of the covid-19 epidemic, the world governments, including the United Arab Emirates, has taken a stricter approach to health and safety. Some of these measures include the introduction of new policies concerning the relocation of pets into the UAE. For instance, the UAE Ministry of Climate Change & Environment (MOCCAE) has added special requirements related to Covid-19 when it comes to bringing cats into the UAE. Wherein, the owners are required to submit a legal endorsement stating that “the pet has not been in contact with Covid-19 human or animal positive case within at least fourteen days before shipping or was isolated under our supervision for fourteen days before shipping without showing symptoms of respiratory illness, or has been tested with a negative PCR test within ninety-six hours prior to the international travel”.

For the validity and acceptance of the said endorsement, further attestation steps are required, which include:

International travel concerning pets:

The UAE’s Etihad airlines allow for smaller breeds of pets to be brought into the UAE as accompanied baggage allowing in-cabin travel when travelling to or from Abu Dhabi.

The regulations applicable in this instance include:

In curtailing the Covid-19 pandemic, the public authorities in the UAE have taken proactive and adequate measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its citizens, residents and visitors. The UAE currently leads the world nations in the number of Covid-19 vaccines administered, with 93% of its population being vaccinated and 82 % being fully vaccinated. This is a staggering achievement with which the country has successfully brought life close to normal.