Urgent: Pet (Cat) Export to Canada

I see. They told me that I will take her to the check in counter and that they will take care of her there so I guess we are ok. I really don't know how to thank you enough. You were great answering every single question that I had promptly.

Thank you

The cat won't go as hand baggage on the plane with you, she'll go in the cargo hold in the animal section near the luggage.

You will check her in with your luggage at the check-in desk and then she will be brought out to you the other end by the luggage carousel.

An animal that travels as cargo is completely different, goes to a different section of the airport, has to clear customs and takes a lot longer - that's when you should definately use a pet relocator.

This is why people pay for a pet relocator to do the permit as they offer all this assistance and advice and will help you with every step.

KLM asked me about weight and dimensions of crate which I provided. Cat plus box is 9kg and they said she can't be treated as bagger ge and they wanted it as cargo. They will charge $410. You are saying pet relocators can make a difference? Pet relocates wants to charge 850 Qar to help with the airport

The cat will be brought out to you by a member of staff so you will need to hang around the baggage carousel until they find you. They might ask to see your passport or something just to make sure you are the owner but I highly doubt it!

Tupperware boxes make good water bowls - make 2 small holes at the top and then cable tie it on. A water bottle will be too flimsy and can be easily squashed and emptied if the cat leans against it.

Accompanied baggage is definitely the easiest and cheapest way to travel with animals. If the cat was travelling cargo I'd definately recommend using a pet relocator instead!!

I booked the flight on KLM because everyone said either KLM or Lufthansa. I booked the cat and it was confirmed on the booking.

Thanks for the good tip, will make photocopies of the documents, I have the vaccination records with me. I am not sure about the water bowl, maybe a 1.5 L water bottle that I can cut in half and fill with water? most water bowls are short and wont carry enough water in them. I think the crate itself has a water compartment at the top that I can use.

So I will get the cat with the luggage, do you know if there is a hold on the cat or I just take her and walk out with it?

Thanks again for all your help

You will need to make sure the cat is booked onto your flight ticket first to make sure he/she will be accepted on the plane as animals can't be carried on the same flight as certain other cargo and you don't want to get there to be told the cat can't board the plane. You will then need the export permit, vaccination records and if you can, take a couple of copies of each to save time.

You also need to make sure there is a good sized water bowl securely attached to the cage door & I would advise you make a label with your name & contact numbers in Qatar & Canada to go on the crate just in case.

The cat will be brought out to you in the luggage reclaim area when you get to Canada.

I'm assuming you're not travelliing through the UK?

Chelsea

Thanks a lot for the valuable information. I decided the do run around and paperwork myself. Seems you are an expert in this :-)

Final note if you dont mind, so all I need is that single document from the ministry Export License/Health Certificate (10 QAR).

Take that to the airport with me with the cat and it everything should be fine or do I need anything else with me in terms of documentation, vaccination records, other documents, etc.?

Thanks

As far as I'm aware Canada will accept a 15 day export certificate.

A Qatar export permit, as a rule, is valid for a maximum of 15 days but come countries require them to be done a maximum of 10 days before departure. The guys at the department don't always know the individual country requirements :)

As a rule of thumb, if you want to do all the running around & paperwork yourself, then an export certificate will cost you QR10.

If you go to a private Pet Relocation company (such as Qatar Pet Relocators) it will cost you QR500 for them to do the paperwork and be on stand by too offer assistance in case there are any problems at the airport (assuming the cat's going accompanied baggage).

If you go to a vet clinic for the paperwork it will cost you QR850+ as they will charge for additional health certificate but as far as I am aware, will not be on stand by if there is a problem, they just arrange the piece of paper.

Chelsea, thanks a lot. Thats what I was told by other people. The vets charge around 280 QAR and when I went to pick up the vaccination record for the cat a nice lady told me dont pay and just take your cat to the Department of animal resources and they will do it for you. They wanted to charge me:

450 for Export license, Driver fees, 280 for health certificate and 140 for examination

So I guess that document is the one I need, do you know if I have to stick with the 10 days (I heard that Canada requires no longer than 10 days for the health certificate) of can I do it now?

The guy told me the certificate is valid for 15 days

Thanks again

The export certificate IS a health certificate also. I believe it's called an Export Health Certificate! Don't be conned into paying for a seperate health certificate from a private vet - it's NOT needed.

Take your ID card, the cat in it's travel crate & the vaccination record to the Department of Animal Resources on Airport Road.

Make sure you take a credit card or E card because they won't accept cash anymore.

Try to call The veterinary Surgery Clinic, they are profesional and well informed, I think they can explain to you all procedures to bring your pet abroad.

Clinic n. 44367187