Stretching the relocation budget for your pet's big move

Relocating with a pet to the UAE? Congratulations you have just got an additional cost and a burden to take care of, along with hunting for proper residence and schools for your children.

But for all those who don't want to leave their furry friends behind, the burden can be minimised if they plan ahead of time for your pet's relocation.

The two areas which require an extensive research and investigation are the UAE's regulations for importing a pet and the specific requirements of the airline you're planning to fly your pet with.

Here are some helpful hints on how and where to get started.

Pet insurance is a new product in the local insurance market. However, if you're coming from the UK or the US, you may find the rates very comparable, and apparently, a good move given the rising cost of living and veterinary fees in the UAE.

For example, Royal & Sun Alliance Dubai offers two plans of coverage at Dh799 and Dh1,099 for a cat and Dh899 and Dh1,199 for a dog.

The coverage includes veterinary fees, death, missing pet benefit, loss by theft or straying, and third party claims in case your pet kills or injures someone or damages their property.

If your pet is flying before you, or you will be temporarily staying in a hotel where pets aren't allowed, both Dubai and Abu Dhabi offer decent lodging facilities.

The cost is Dh50 to Dh60 per day across the board. It is worth booking ahead of time if you're arriving in the summer months or during public holidays as facilities can easily fill up.

Since your cat or dog is travelling as manifested cargo, expect to pay export taxes and/or fees in your country. In many cases, you may find it easier to contact a freight-forwarding company to handle the paperwork.

The cost is calculated based on the cage's size and the total weight of the cage and your pet. Don't try to buy the lightest cage since airlines have strict requirements on the size and quality of the cage.

Your pet's passport to travel is a complete and up-to-date vaccination card, which you need to obtain an import permit from the Ministry of Water and Agriculture.

The permit is valid for one month. Your pet should also be micro-chipped. It has to fly with an original vaccination card, an airway bill, a health certificate stamped by your country's veterinary authority and a copy of the import permit.