Families in the UAE relocating to the US are facing long waits for their paperwork to be approved if they want to take their beloved pet dogs with them, due to strict safety measures in place to guard against rabies.
The Emirates is among more than 100 countries listed as high-risk for dog rabies by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), despite there not being an existing outbreak in the country, according to local news agencies.
The UAE has been on the list since July 2021, with updates to the ruling introduced in June.
Currently, dog owners must apply for a CDC Dog Import Permit to take dogs to the US. Dogs should also have a valid rabies vaccination certificate and an ISO-compatible microchip for identification.
