Post by quichi on Aug 20, 2014 21:29:39 GMT
Longtime reader, first time I have something constructive to add. 
This forum has been invaluable in helping us decide moving to KSA is the right decision for us.
Here's what we've done so far:
8/1-8/10 - Contacted various pet shipping companies, all recommended by our RA. A couple of them seem to skip a few steps in the process. I settled on Jane Edwards of BKS International Pet Shipping in Houston. She seems to know more than anyone else about this. Funny thing is she insists I can do this myself and don’t need her help. The email she sent me is almost identical to this post: viewtopic.php?f=74&t=123996
8/13 - Got the dogs vaccinated (they were due in August anyway) and microchipped. Officially changed their names to Guard Dog Anya and Guard Dog Maggie on their records and certificates. They look more ferocious, and less like the fuzzy foot warmers they are. Ordered a year’s supply of Anya’s meds.
8/19 - Medical, Orientation, Visa application: Our RA kept our passports, having told us there is a visa block for us. Advised to be ready to move by 9/26, pending medical. Yikes! We were expecting a late Oct/Nov move. Freaked out about the dogs, asked Jane to ship them later. She’s like, nah, you can do it. Lady refuses to take my cash. Sigh… Get myself together and...
8/19&20 - Spent most of the afternoon on 8/19 & all day 8/20 chasing down information for our two dogs, who we are trying to bring as excess luggage.
- Called the airlines.
a) KLM to start. Turns out you need specific flight numbers for them to help you. Won’t give general info. From Miami it’s at least two layovers to get to Dammam, one in the US (Detroit, Houston, DC, NYC, etc on a Delta flight), the other in Amsterdam. On the plus side, they said the summer embargo is over Sept. 15th. BTW Jane says this last bit is wrong- she’s been shipping animals all summer. ($200 excess luggage fee + $150 care during layover fee, both per dog)
b) Qatar Airlines. They have a non-stop flight a few days a week Miami - Doha. I would really love to go with them. ($250 each dog)
c) Lufthansa. I’m avoiding them.
- 8/26 is a magic number since it will be 30 days out for moving day. If we don’t actually move by 9/26 I’ll have to do this again. As per Jane’s instructions:
- Made appointment with vet for Health Certificates and letters for 8/26. They will each travel on their own certificates. ($125 total)
- Made appointment with USDA office in Miami to endorse the certificates on 8/26. ($38x2)
- Contacted David of Washington Passport Visa Service so he can get the Dept of State and Saudi Arabian Consulate endorsements. I will overnight the documents to him on 8/26 ($20 total via USPS). He says the whole process should be done in 7 business days. ($229 total, including return shipping)
My current mini-project is getting a hold of someone in KSA to help with the import permit.
I'll keep adding to this as we progress.
This forum has been invaluable in helping us decide moving to KSA is the right decision for us.Here's what we've done so far:
8/1-8/10 - Contacted various pet shipping companies, all recommended by our RA. A couple of them seem to skip a few steps in the process. I settled on Jane Edwards of BKS International Pet Shipping in Houston. She seems to know more than anyone else about this. Funny thing is she insists I can do this myself and don’t need her help. The email she sent me is almost identical to this post: viewtopic.php?f=74&t=123996
8/13 - Got the dogs vaccinated (they were due in August anyway) and microchipped. Officially changed their names to Guard Dog Anya and Guard Dog Maggie on their records and certificates. They look more ferocious, and less like the fuzzy foot warmers they are. Ordered a year’s supply of Anya’s meds.
8/19 - Medical, Orientation, Visa application: Our RA kept our passports, having told us there is a visa block for us. Advised to be ready to move by 9/26, pending medical. Yikes! We were expecting a late Oct/Nov move. Freaked out about the dogs, asked Jane to ship them later. She’s like, nah, you can do it. Lady refuses to take my cash. Sigh… Get myself together and...
8/19&20 - Spent most of the afternoon on 8/19 & all day 8/20 chasing down information for our two dogs, who we are trying to bring as excess luggage.
- Called the airlines.
a) KLM to start. Turns out you need specific flight numbers for them to help you. Won’t give general info. From Miami it’s at least two layovers to get to Dammam, one in the US (Detroit, Houston, DC, NYC, etc on a Delta flight), the other in Amsterdam. On the plus side, they said the summer embargo is over Sept. 15th. BTW Jane says this last bit is wrong- she’s been shipping animals all summer. ($200 excess luggage fee + $150 care during layover fee, both per dog)
b) Qatar Airlines. They have a non-stop flight a few days a week Miami - Doha. I would really love to go with them. ($250 each dog)
c) Lufthansa. I’m avoiding them.
- 8/26 is a magic number since it will be 30 days out for moving day. If we don’t actually move by 9/26 I’ll have to do this again. As per Jane’s instructions:
- Made appointment with vet for Health Certificates and letters for 8/26. They will each travel on their own certificates. ($125 total)
- Made appointment with USDA office in Miami to endorse the certificates on 8/26. ($38x2)
- Contacted David of Washington Passport Visa Service so he can get the Dept of State and Saudi Arabian Consulate endorsements. I will overnight the documents to him on 8/26 ($20 total via USPS). He says the whole process should be done in 7 business days. ($229 total, including return shipping)
My current mini-project is getting a hold of someone in KSA to help with the import permit.
I'll keep adding to this as we progress.
