Qatar Pet Relocators

Just to let you know what you are paying for:

Import licence - collating, checking, verifying documentation, attendance at the Ministry for import permit, phoning, faxing, emailing, ensuring correct documents are with the pet for travel, import permit, AWB, health certiicates et al....

Cargo import service - liaising with owner/shipper, flight tracking, airport attendance, customs handling, clearing fees, paperwork, processing, red-tape....total air side access, when your pet arrives it is attended to immediately, no worry over delayed flights, no stress if you don't know what you are doing - the opportunity to go home/stay at home, feet up, cup of tea and wait for your pet to be delivered to your door, safe & sound.

Be advised that if you are taking a taxi from the airport, they will not always wait while you process your pet, let alone allow it in their vehicle...... I know of someone who arrived, new to Qatar, went to customs, spent 4 hours processing a dog, then found themselves on airport road at 2am with a huge sky kennel and no lift in sight. Everything has to be thought about, anticipated, planned for..........

Most import of all 24/7 availability, timings to suit the pet not the human......

See: http://www.qatarliving.com/node/13470#comment-122430

"Life is life - whether in a cat, or dog or man. There is no difference there between a cat or a man. The idea of difference is a human conception for man's own advantage." ~Sri Aurobindo

I have taken the same route as Phillip, but outbound from Bahrain, so although I know it's possible to do it on your own and cheaper too, I still do not recommend it.

Xena is correct, and although you have less stress issues, seeing as it's a cat, and not a dog (on the banned list) there is one very important consideration you should make.

Rules and regulations have changed very recently, and as of August 1st, all animals in and out of Doha, must go Cargo. This could present more stress for you than it's worth frankly. QPR have enough experience to handle even little issues that us 1st time/ 2nd time transporters don't even consider. They also have the right connections. Know where and who to go to to get things done, and to make sure that your pet is well taken care of.

As for Airlines, I've never used KLM, but I know they are good. I've only ever used Lufthansa, and I highly recommend them.

Please visit the Pet Group withing this site:

http://www.qatarliving.com/node/13470

you will find some useful info, although please bear in mind that it was posted in May, and now the rules are different.

Good Luck.

"Life is life - whether in a cat, or dog or man. There is no difference there between a cat or a man. The idea of difference is a human conception for man's own advantage." ~Sri Aurobindo

Are you aware that there is a banned list of dogs - that are not allowed into the country? People, and I am talking about those who do it legally, do have to have special permission from the departments concerned to bring that animal in.

Some people don't want to leave their Boxer, Rotties, Dobies et al behind in their home country when they come here, so have to wade through far more paperwork justifying why the dog has to come with them. Pet relocators get this right far easier than you or I would, as they have a reputation with the legal departments concerned and can pave the way to getting the dog though customs.

I feel that the fees they charge are justified in the work they do, and the time they spend getting it done.

The hours they work are long and tiring. From early morning - trying to get paperwork together, running from department to department, to waiting for planes to land - sometimes delayed late into the night. No life, so to speak makes this a thankless job, and only people that truly love animals, will tolerate what has to be done in order to make sure everything runs smoothly.

It is wonderful that your tranferal of your cat went so smoothly, but don't dismiss the good works that pet relocators do.

Janet was great, and the fee is very reasonable in my opinion, I havent actually brought my cat in yet, but never blinked at the fee, you will have plenty of opportunities to drive yourself crazy with Beureucratic nighmares once you arrive. Leave this one to someone else.

Good luck, unless you are extremely patient, the red tape here will drive you nuts. I used to be a nice guy, but now I want to strangle all these clerks.

i'm not trying to fool anyone.

i'm just stating my experience. it was easy. the cargo area is next door to the main airport. no problems. it maybe took one hour to fill in the paper work there and get the kitty.

also...why would anyone want to bring a pet that is on the banned list? in my opinion pet relocation companies are not required for a straight forward kitty cat relocation. maybe use a relocation company if you are trying to import a lion.

While i agree, that doing it yourself is much cheaper, I don't believe that it can be that easy.

I know what QPR go through when it comes to bringing animals into the country and I really appreciate the effort. Most people arrive on the same flight as their pet, and after an exhausting flight, don't want to have to go through the process of trying to get to cargo to fight with locals when their documentation isn't in order. And trust me, it can so easily be.

I know of a current situation where a cat leaving Doha to another country is having major issues with documents.

People, don't be fooled that its as easy as what Philip makes it out to be. Especially when trying to bring in an animal on the Qatar banned list.

Go through a pet relocation expert. They can give you all the details of what needs to be done, what documentation is needed, and if you are not there to collect your pet, you will have peace of mind that he/she has been taken care of with the ut most love and efficiency.

cannot change airlines (for the cat). So if you're traveling from Canada, you would have to travel BA all the way as the cat cannot change airlines so far as I'm aware - check with your airline, they can tell you the most current info. Best airline, bar none, for animal transportation is KLM. I can't recommend them highly enough. You can handle all the transportation/documentation yourself. It can be tricky to get the original import docs from Qatar to yourself before transit. Then you have to coordinate Canadian vet health certs (which may or may not have to be issued by a Dept of Agriculture vet within 10 days of travel - that's where the Qatar import cert can be tricky to get in time - Qatar needs to see a copy of that cert).

I have used Qatar Pet Relocators - I felt the expense was worth it as it ensured that someone was there waiting for my animals with all the correct documentation and familiarity with the import procedures. I have also handled the import and export procedures all myself to and from another GCC country - doable, but the stress level was high for me and the animal.

I have recently moved to Doha with my kitty.

it was no problem using British Airways. But i did not come from Canada...I came from the Cayman Islands to Heathrow then on to Doha from there. From Heathrow to Doha I used Qatar Airways. The cat can’t change airlines so he stayed in London overnight at their facility and was put on the next BA flight to Doha the next day. i just picked him up at the cargo area here. BA took care of all the necssary proceedures for the overnight stay. when i picked him up in doha i saw that he was taken care of and cage cleaned, etc before the Doha leg of the trip.

pet relocators are not required...

it was a very simple easy process with BA. Just make sure you have all of the documents you need form the local vets. You will also need the original document from Qatar Department of whatever. In my case I only had a copy but was able to get the original since i arrived a day earlier that the cat. You need this to have the cat released. if you will be coming in with the cat, the document will need to be couriered to you.

the total cost of this was only USD$500. there was also some fees in doha to pay but only about $50 for handling, etc.

if you need more info, just PM me.