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Pets, Accommodation, and Comfort: How to Build a New Life in the UAE
The fear of getting used to a new place can sometimes overshadow the joy of moving out of your old place, even if your destination is an advanced place like the UAE. Then, your fears might be even greater if you’re getting accommodation with your pet.
We love our furry babies and much more than love—they have become family, so you need to look out for places that are suitable for them, too. So, if you’re moving for work, a better environment, or family, you should plan properly for a pet-friendly place in the UAE.
While planning for accommodation with pets, include transportation options like if you want to rent a car or buy a vehicle. The steps in this article will help with a large part of the decision-making.

Photo by Julia Blumberg on Unsplash
How to Find Pet-Friendly Accommodation in the UAE
The best option for finding suitable accommodation for you and your pet is to start out as upfront as you can. Be explicitly clear on the fact that you have a pet, what type of animal it is, and its size. You might not like this originally, but it helps you get the best option eventually.
Pets are getting more common in the UAE in apartments, but certain areas are still strict. Some areas, like Dubai and Sharjah, are better, and your pets are more welcome. Yet you may notice that landlords still limit this accommodating nature to villas and townhouses, while apartments have limitations on noise level and breed and size of the animal.
Look closely at the pet policy before you commit, and try to speak directly with the landlord or agents. You might experience that different spaces within an apartment require different pet behaviors. This will ensure smooth sailing between you, the landlord, and your neighbors.
A few pet-friendly neighborhoods to look out for in the UAE to make your search easier include:
- The Greens
- Jumeirah Village Circle
- Al Raha Gardens
Traveling to the UAE with Pets
There are several rules for pets in public places, but all are for the safety of your pet and others. So, while you dream of contacting a car rental service in the United Arab Emirates to rent a car, prepare for these procedures:
Get an ISO-Compliant Microchip
Your pet needs an ISO-compliant microchip. This is a chip with a 15-digit code that international scanners can read. It contains all your pet’s details and your contact details in the database and is awesome for identification in case of issues like pet theft or missing pets. They also contain other details like the vaccinations and health status of your pets for disease control.
Complete Your Pet’s Shots
Pay attention to the details the UAE requires for bringing animals in and what shots are most crucial. Here, getting your pet a rabies shot is compulsory.
You should vaccinate your pet at least 21 days before you travel, and the last vaccination should be up to a year. A vet should issue you a certificate of health seven days prior to your time of travel to ascertain all your claims. When you know this information, you avoid rushing or canceling travel plans outright.
Acquire Your Import Permit
For this, apply to the UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, and you can expect it within a range of two to four weeks. Consider these timelines for proper planning.

Photo by Kit (formerly ConvertKit) on Unsplash
Look out for Other People with Pets
Locating people with pets shouldn’t be difficult, as you’ll most likely be living in the same area, thanks to the pet acceptance situation in the UAE.
To add to this friendship by proxy, you can also search for pages on social media with keywords like “your pet type,” “pet owners,” and “UAE,” and you’ll meet another host of people to go on pet dates with. Meanwhile, you’re also finding your footing in a new place.
Conclusion
Moving can be hectic, but doing it and knowing you’re with your best friend is a great relief. You want your pets to be in their utmost comfortable state because an irritable pet makes for an irritable owner, and this makes the entire process more stressful. Take your time and immerse yourself in communities when you arrive, and then rent a vehicle for you and your pet!
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