Dogs to Saudi

[mark2465]

Hi

Could someone help me please. We will soon be coming to Saudi and would like to bring our German Shepards. Could someone please offer advice and possible contacts of people who would be able to help us with documentation and shipping etc

Many Thanks

Mark

[vpainter]

I don't know if she can be of service to you if you're coming from the UK, but she may be able to help with info.

by BKS » Sat Jan 29, 2011 6:28 pm

My name is Jane Edwards with BKS International Pet Shipping Inc. in Houston, Texas. I have been shipping pets to Saudi Arabia, both excess baggage and cargo, from Houston since 1986.

Small dogs into Saudi are a problem but it is not impossible and I shipped a very small Shih Tzu just a few weeks ago for a Chevron employee. The key is patience and working with a shipper/agent at both ends. I have written a guide outlining current regulations from the USA if anyone would like it - just e-mail me at petsandplanes@aol.com and I can highly recommend the staff at the Jeddah Veterinary Clinic to assist with the import permit, even to the point of guidance with the special application for small dogs. There are my contacts at Jeddah Vet.

Ahmed Mohammed, Practice Manager or Dr. Siga
Jeddah Veterinary Clinic, Khobar Branch
Tel+966 3 857 3079
Mob: +966 56 289 3434
khobarvet@zajil.net

I do however recommend that pets travel excess baggage where possible as it is so much easier to clear customs in DMM.

Having working in Saudi Arabia, albeit back in the late 70's, a do understand the frustration and difficulties, but with good planning there is a way to take most family pets with you to Saudi. There is no charge for the guide of course, its just an accumulation of information that may save you some time and grief if you are planning to take a pet.

I hope this has been useful
Jane Edwards

[BKS]

Hi this is Jane at BKS. Its been about a year since I last posted and in that time the rules for importing dogs have become much stricter. It is now virtually impossible to get a small dog into Dammam, I even had a Beagle refused a permit recently. I have heard a German Shepherd was just turned down. I am not sure exactly what breeds are allowed any more so if anyone could reply and post the latest information I would be grateful.

Still no problem with cats, in moderation of course!

Thanks
Jane
BKS International Pet Shipping, Inc.
petsandplanes@aol.com

[Carolina]

Hello

Our friend who recently arrived to KSA had his two very small dogs imported but they did not come to Dammam but to Riayad (sorry if I have misspelt) early in the morning for me anyway there was no problem at all I will try and find out who he used i.e. shipping agent but he was shipping them from Texas and I guess your doggies will be shipped from UK - to give you some hope we helped a new hire not so long ago to ship in a german shepherd and cat - but it was from Qatar to Dammam - anyway they accepted them here ok - so I will try my best in a day or so to see what we can help

Carolina

[Carolina]

Hello

I can see that this posting asking about shipping dogs from the UK is quite a few months old however for anyone else with this same question I have the following from you from a lady that is just about to ship her small dog from Scotland to KSA.

The agents I'm using for Poppy are www.passportforpets.com. They have an online form to fill in and then they get will get back in touch with a quote and a follow up phone call. I liked them straight away, they have dealt with KSA before and they were also one of the cheapest. They have an offer on right now where they are giving a free travel crate with each booking, a saving of a good few hundred pounds !


Hope this helps.

Kind Regards
Carolina

[vikingmom]

We are in the process of filling in the paperwork to bring our dog from the state of Georgia in the USA. She is a border collie/mix so should be an ok breed. Our relocation advisor sent us a list of the not ok breeds. Small dogs and "fierce" dogs were on it (like German shepherds )
In the relocation guide we are being told to address a letter to the customs agent in Damman as well as the USDA form and have both certified by the USDA in Atlanta, then send them to Washington DC for authentication, then to Houston to the Saudi Arabian consulate for their stamp of approval. When I called Atlanta to confirm the address and fees, they told me they will only authenticate their form and refuse to put their stamp on any other paper. Any suggestions??
Thanks for all your helpful hints on this forum. It has been a great source of comfort as we go through this process. We are just waiting on the BI at this point, then visas I guess! Should see y'all in Abqaiq in March!!!

[Carolina]

Hello

Our new hire from Qatar to KSA with his german shepherd and his cat - he had the same problem so we obliged to use our name and paperwork in our name to get them into KSA - it is something we will not do again as it was a complete headache - yes the dog and cat arrived but between Qatar and KSA i.e. at this end they lost them - Qatar Airways were a nightmare to deal with but eventually after 2 hours we found them in the huge warehouse at Dammam airport - it took another 3 hours to get them out with having to go from department to another department getting paperwork stamped etc etc - as much as we love animals we will not be doing that again.

What would and could work is if your husband comes over first and then from this end he can do the necessary paperwork and that you could come over with your doggies - much better to do it that way.

Good Luck it is possible but I stress you need to really be very organised and get everything well in order etc.

We moved our two cats to 9 countries in 12 years! which I think must be a record LOL

Carolina

[vpainter]

Or you come with your husband, leaving your dogs with a trusted friend or family member and you bring them in the next time you go out. That's what we did so the family could come together.

[Carolina]

Hello

A good idea as you know animals are better to travel with their owners than without - it was awful when we could not find the cat and dog at Dammam during those two hours of trying to find out in fact if they had landed with Qatar Airways.

Carolina

[vikingmom]

Thanks everybody! We just got the paperwork back from Atlanta and have been to Houston to apply for our visas! Next thing, airline tickets!!!
I need to send this form off to Washington DC then to Houston but all should be in order since my vet was willing to put all the pertinent info on the USDA form as well as on a letter.
Now I just hope we can find the dog when we arrive at the airport. Unfortunately, she is not a barker, so we won't be able to find her that way!!
Anybody in Abqaiq, look for three tall (my husband if over 6 1/2 feet) people in mid-March!!

[vpainter]

Welcome to Aramco! Safe travels!!!!

[Speedy53]

Vikingmom,
We are leaving on the 22nd and trying to get the import permit for our dog and cat. I have had no luck contacting the Jeddah Vet. I have called, emailed and faxed them with no response!

How did you end up getting the import permit?

Thanks!
Liza

[lexington]

What's the deal with small dogs? Why are they being turned away?

[vpainter]

Well, its a cultural thing: Little dogs can be used by boys or girls to meet boys or girls. Ok, don't lol.
Thus the ban.

[lexington]

Interesting. We're still early in the game as we've only just applied and crossing fingers for an interview culminating in an offer and move to KSA. Anyhoo, thinking positive we have two
dogs: a mini poodle (not the toy....or the standard) & a mastador (mastiff-lab mix), will they (Saudi officials) turn away our poodle?? How sad.