We are coming to the UAE in a fortnight's time and applied for a permit for our parrot to come with us 3 weeks ago.
We were told by the company handling our pets' import papers that all importation of (what they call ornamental birds) has been banned and we have to leave our captive-bred parrot behind. We've had her since she was 3 months old and she has never left our house, or mixed with any other birds. She definitely does not have bird flu since we live on an avian-flu free island.
Now it's looking more and more clear that the flu is spreading through bird migration - this weekend there were cases in North Cyprus, Iran and Saudi.
Is there anyone out there who thinks, like we do, that this is being blown out of all proportion? Or am I just prejudiced because of a broken heart having to leave our parrot behind?
Despite all this, we're counting the days to get there !