Dogs and Cats are Being Abandoned Across the Gulf – Tell the UK Government to Act
Update (24 March 2026): Bringing Companion Animals Back Safely
Defra has responded to PETA, stating that people travelling to the UK with companion animals who are not compliant with import regulations can be brought back to Britain under an emergency import license issued by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Quarantine may be required depending on the country of origin and health status of the animal.
If you need to travel to the UK urgently with an animal who is non-compliant , you can contact the APHA imports team for an emergency license by email at [email protected] or telephone: 03000 200 301 301 (press 3 for all other enquiries, then press 2 for APHA, and then 5 for the Pet Travel helpline).
Update (16 March 2026): France Relaxes Restrictions Allowing Dogs and Cats to Return from Gulf Countries with their Human Guardians
The French Ministry of Agriculture has waived its strict regulations on importing dogs and cats from 13 countries until 30 April, introducing a temporary emergency procedure allowing certain animals to enter France, even if they do not fully meet the usual EU import requirements.
This means that people fleeing conflict in the Gulf will be able to bring their companion animals to their home country more easily.
The UK government must follow suit! Please contact Emma Reynolds MP, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on X or Instagram, urging her to follow France’s lead and allow companion animals to return to the UK more easily. Please be polite, and use PETA’s letter as a template if you wish.
Original article (published 10 March 2026):
As British citizens flee conflict in the Gulf, companion animals are being abandoned.
People are leaving dogs and cats on the streets, in the desert, and outside overwhelmed rescue centres because they say they are unable to take animals with them, as the UK’s pet import rules require several time-sensitive steps before animals can travel. For example, animals must receive a rabies vaccination 21 days before entering the UK, and dogs must be treated for tapeworm 1-5 days before travel. Animals must also have an Animal Health Certificate issued by a vet within the past 10 days. For people forced to leave quickly, these requirements can make it unnecessarily difficult to bring their animals with them.
PETA’s message to the public is clear: never abandon your animal companion. Authorities must also help make this possible, which is why PETA is urging the UK government to temporarily relax these rules to allow animals to travel swiftly. While we recognise the importance of adhering to health measures, there are alternatives that allow animals to travel safely. In fact, such alternatives have already been previously implemented by some countries at the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
Keeping Companion Animals Safe in Conflict
During the Ukraine crisis, several European countries – including Austria, Belgium, Hungary and Croatia – temporarily relaxed companion animal import rules to allow refugees to bring them to safety, with veterinary checks and quarantine measures implemented after arrival.
Considering the dangerous circumstances in the Gulf region, we wrote to Emma Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, urging her to allow British people travelling from Gulf states refuge in the UK with their animal companions.
“Animals do not start wars and yet, they are often victims of them,” we state in our letter. “We are a nation of animal lovers and must allow Brits returning home to bring their animal family members with them.”
Take Action for Dogs
If you want to help more dogs suffering abroad, urge FIFA to stop the slaughter of dogs and cats in Morocco ahead of the 2030 World Cup.
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