The attitude towards pets in Dubai is mixed so it’s sensible to keep your pet under control. Pets are prohibited from parks and beaches, so there aren’t many places where you can walk your dog, other than the streets in your area. While uncommon, there are a number incidents of animal abuse, which can be reported to the municipality (04 289 1114). Dubai has several pet shops and they vary enormously in quality. Smaller outlets are usually not for the faint-hearted.

Dubai has a significant problem with strays. Feline Friends (050 451 0058) and K9 Friends (04 347 4611) are hard-working animal charities that take in as many as they can, and they are always on the lookout for help (see p.170).

You should inoculate your pet annually against rabies, and register it with the municipality (04 289 1114), which will provide plastic neck tags. If the municipality picks up an animal without a tag, it is treated as a stray. You can have your pet microchipped, but with no national register the plastic tag is your best bet. The municipality’s clampdown on strays has been successful and the UAE is now considered to be free from rabies (so pets can travel to the UK under the ‘Pet Passport’ scheme and are subject to a reduced quarantine in Australia and New Zealand).

Most areas have street cats, which tend to be harmless and keep a lid on rodent problems. The municipality is currently working on trapping the cats and sterilising them before releasing them – it’s the first authority in the region to do so. Feline Friends is active in trapping and sterilising street cats, and should be contacted if your area is overrun. Sterilised street cats usually have part of their ear removed.

You should check with your landlord what the pet policy is before you move in. When walking your dog, keep it on a short leash, as many people are frightened of them.

Birds are popular and are sold in all the pet shops. A wide variety of species is available, from budgies to macaws. For those interested in keeping fish, the pet shops of Dubai have a huge selection, and all the equipment you will need.

The standard of pet shops in Dubai ranges from the passable to the awful. Pet lovers are better off avoiding the smaller ones, predominantly in Satwa, as they tend to pay little regard to the health or welfare of the animals. There are laws governing pet shops but the maximum penalty for those contravening them is the closure of the shop for a day – hardly a deterrent. It’s illegal for puppies to be offered for sale before they are 16 weeks old but in many cases the papers have been altered and the animal is younger; the origin of the animals is also altered and many come from eastern European ‘puppy farms’ where conditions are inhumane. A much better option is to get your pet from K9 Friends or Feline Friends instead. All their animals have been sterilised and inoculated.

Standards of care at Dubai’s veterinary clinics are reasonably high. Prices do not vary dramatically, but the Deira Veterinary Clinic and Al Barsha Veterinary Clinic are a little cheaper than the rest. Dubai Municipality has a veterinary services department

(04 289 1114), which treats and vaccinates animals and issues identity tags. It is located next to Mushrif Park. Kennels are generally of a good standard, although spaces are limited during peak times (summer and Christmas). An alternative is to use an at-home pet-sitting service – someone will come into your house at least once a day to feed and exercise your pet for a reasonable fee (for a bit extra they might even water your plants).

Imported dogs and cats must be older than 120 days – this ensures that they are old enough to have had rabies vaccinations. Pets flying into Dubai must travel as cargo – animals are no longer permitted to travel as excess baggage. Dubai Kennels & Cattery (www.dkc.ae), The Doghouse (www.dubaidoghouse.com) and Snoopy Pets (050 477 8759) are pet relocation specialists that can help.

Otherwise, you need an import permit from the Ministry of Environment & Water, Vet Quarantine Section (04 222 8161). They will need to see the owner’s passport and residence visa (or employment offer letter), the pet’s vaccination certificate (showing rabies vaccination) and a government-issued health certificate.

You also need proof that the animal has been microchipped. After receiving the import permit, you can book the flight. You must also present a certificate of good health to authorities on arrival. Animals will be taken to the Cargo Village in Garhoud for collection.

The process can be quite lengthy, taking a minimum of seven months for the UK. All countries require a health certificate – this is issued by the Ministry of Environment & Water vet section and should be taken to the government vet at Cargo Village not more than seven days before departure.

For this you will need the animal’s vaccination card showing a valid rabies inoculation (some countries require additional vaccinations or blood tests). These must have been done not less than 30 days before departure and no later than the expiry date set out by

the manufacturer.

You will also need an airline-approved travel box (available through Dubai Kennels & Cattery and The Doghouse). Most airlines allow animals to travel either as accompanied baggage or cargo, but check with the airline beforehand.