The regulations currently governing the importation and exportation of dogs and cats in Qatar are as follows:
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
With immediate effect (31/10/2007), Qatar Aviation Services retracted their CARGO only regulation issued on 01-AUG-2007 and have re-regulated the import/export of dogs/cats/birds, to allow both CARGO and ACCOMPANIED BAGGAGE methods of pet travel to and from Doha International Airport.
Therefore this means that pets can once again travel as CARGO or ACCOMPANIED BAGGAGE.
Importing:
The import of pets is permitted, however certain larger breeds of dog namely; Boxers, Bulldogs, Rottweilers, Great Danes and Dobermans are not granted entry. Rabies is not present in Qatar; however dogs and cats being imported are required to be vaccinated against it.
You are required to obtain an import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture in Qatar, in order to obtain this – you must provide a valid health certificate produced by a government-approved veterinary clinic at the point of origin, together with a copy of your pet's vaccination record. The health certificate may not be dated earlier than two weeks prior to the date of the animals' arrival in Qatar. Application forms should be readily available through your sponsoring employer, the offices at the Ministry of Agriculture on Airport Road or through your Pet Relocation assisting party.
An easier option is to have your animal brought in through the services of an experienced Pet Relocator, in which case they will generally require you to provide them with the animals documentation (as above), along with a photograph of your pet, plus copies of your passport and the airway bill or flight details, they should then be able to obtain the necessary permit within two weeks.
Animals can travel with their owners on the same flight or separately, but must travel as manifested cargo. Generally they are released immediately after customs clearance. It is important to note that airlines have their own procedures with regards to the carriage of animals in the hold – their traveling containers have to meet international IATA standards, which are stringent to ensure to well being of animals on board. It is a good idea to consult with a Pet Relocator who can best advise on travel procedures and airlines with a good handling record of animals in their care.
Exporting:
If you are leaving Qatar and will be taking your pet with you, all pets must be vaccinated against Rabies. The rule is that this vaccination is to be carried out a minimum of 30 days and a maximum of 360 days before the date of travel, however there are exceptions. The U.S.A. requires dogs entering to have their rabies vaccination between 30 and 180 days before arrival. New EU regulations governing the importation of animals into member states came into effect in June 2004, and require that all vaccinations are done at least 120 days in advance of travel, with a blood test being undertaken 30 days later by an approved laboratory to verify its effectiveness.
Animals entering the United Kingdom, Malta , Ireland and Sweden will require a tick and tapeworm treatment and will of course be subject to those countries' quarantine regulations as Qatar does not currently take part in the EU “PET PASSPORT SCHEME”.
Airlines require a health certificate, which can be obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture's Veterinary Department. You will be required to take the pet along for an examination, and provide current vaccination records. There is no charge for this service; however the validity of the export document is only seven days. This document should be taken to the QNT office in the Cargo Section at Doha International Airport at least five days before you wish to travel. They will book the flight and issue you with an airway bill, and you need to pay the full fare, plus handling charges, at this stage.
Again, you will also be required to provide a travel kennel that complies with the airline's regulations. It is suggested if at all possible to consult a Pet Relocator for assistance in exporting your pet.
Outside the European Union, each country has its own set of regulations regarding the import of animals. You can check these details on the websites outlined below:
Australia: www.affa.gov.au
Britain: www.defra.gov.uk
Ireland: www.agriculture.gov.ie
South Africa: www.southafricahouse.com
Sweden: www.sjv.se/net/SJV/home
USA: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/animal.html
Holland, Italy, France and all other European countries: Please refer to: http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/animal/liveanimals/pets/qanda_en.htm |
|
