Can I take my cat to Kuwait?

Question

Any expats in Kuwait know the rules about bringing a pet to live with you there? I'll be there on a 2-year contract. Some countries have a quarantine for pets.

Answer 1

PAWS for Advice on bringing a pet into or out of Kuwait

Bringing a pet INTO Kuwait Application Form

If you are taking a pet OUT of Kuwait similar procedures apply... please use this form Taking a pet OUT of Kuwait Application Form

Doing any kind of official paperwork in Kuwait can often be an exercise in frustration; our advice is to always hand this task over to a professional organisation who will complete the necessary paperwork for your incoming (or outgoing) pet. Pet shipping agents such as Inchcape Shipping, (2434752 ext 203), Al Ghanim Freight, (4745533) have many years experience and should be able to process all paperwork and arrange for your pet to be cleared in good time.

Alternatively, use The Royal Animal Hospital (registered with IPATA, an Internationally Recognised Pet Transportation organisation), or one of the other Veterinary Clinics in Kuwait, well versed in pet import/export requirements. (PAWS can arrange the necessary export/import paperwork for importing or exporting a pet and we offer a pick up and delivery service for pets arriving into Kuwait, in our custom designed Animal Transportation Vehicle).

Quarantine: If you are travelling into Kuwait with your pet there are no quarantine requirements. However, an import permit must be obtained from PAAAFR (also known as the Animal Health Ministry), before your animal will be permitted to enter Kuwait. Import permits are normally valid for 1 month but can be extended to 3 months. It is worth pointing out that it is much cheaper to bring the animal on the same flight as someone travelling with it as excess luggage. This import permit can be arranged for you by PAWS.

Documentation: You should begin to organise your pet travel documentation at least a month before you travel. In order to get your pet import/health certificate you will need to provide copies of the following* documents to whoever is handling your importation (can be sent via email):

Photocopy of your pet’s vaccinations record; all vaccinations must be at least 1 month old and less than 1 year old on entry into Kuwait
Passport Photocopy of the person travelling with the pet
Airline, flight details and dates of travel clearly indicating the arrival date into/destination out of Kuwait.
You should also get a health certificate from the animal health authorities in your country, stating that your pet is well and able to travel. You may be asked to show this on departure from your home country, although it is not usually asked for on arrival into Kuwait, the original certificate must be presented on arrival. Usually, whoever is meeting you and your pet will bring this to the airport with your entry visa.
Alternatively, you can request that the original certificate be couriered to you, before departure from your home country.
If your pet is travelling with you, they will be brought into the luggage collection area.
You may be asked to show the original health certificate as you leave the airport.
If you are going to an hotel and wish to bring your pet with you it is important to know that not all hotels in Kuwait will accept pets. Shik Hotel sometimes allows cats (5725050) The Hilton Resort has been known to allow cats and small dogs, (3725500) although only in the chalets and only by advance arrangement.
Importing: If you are already in Kuwait and are importing a pet the same information from you is required as before*. Again, any of the aforementioned agencies or vet clinics can do this paperwork for you. You present the health certificate when you go to collect your pet at the airport. It is advised that you do not import or export a pet during the hottest months of the year. If you must do so, please try to ensure that you pet arrives during a late night or early morning flight. Some airlines (such as Delta) will not transport pets into or out of Kuwait between May and September, so check with your chosen airline well in advance. There is always a chance the pet will be exposed to the heat while waiting to board a flight or awaiting collection from the cargo area, so try to avoid moving pets during July, August and September if you can.

Accompanied Exportation: If you are leaving Kuwait and taking a pet with you an export certificate will be required. The same information is required as for animals coming into Kuwait* for animals leaving Kuwait. The export/health certificate is valid for 7 days and it is advised that you obtain your certificate within a day or two of your travel date, (PAWS can do the health export/import certificate for you). If you intend travelling with your pet, book it on your ticket when this is arranged. Some airlines will only allow a limited number of pets per flight; so again, arrange things well in advance. Lufthansa and KLM are cheaper than British Airways for pet travel. United Airlines, working in partnership with Lufthansa will sometimes allow small cats/dogs in soft pet carriers stored under your seat. (KLM has recently allowed PAWS to send two 4 month old kittens (siblings) in one travel crate to the US). Again, double check this with your airline for your travel dates. Amsterdam and Frankfurt have excellent transit care centers for pets, where the animal will be offloaded from the plane, taken into the animal section, water, fed, exercised, and the crate cleaned before take off for the next leg of the flight.

Travel Crate: Whichever airline you choose, they will require the dimensions of the pet travel crate, (height x length x depth) plus total weight, with the pet inside. Royal Animal Hospital or Al Dohama will help with weighing the pet and crate. If your pet travels with you it will be charged at excess baggage rates; this is currently (Jan '07) around 5 KD per kilo, up to 32 kilos; thereafter it will be charged at KD15 per kilo).

Unaccompanied Exportation/Cargo: Sending your pet on a different flight as ‘cargo’ is more expensive than accompanied excess baggage. It depends on the destination country if they will allow a pet to enter with you as excess baggage. For example, South Africa doesn't allow animals as excess: all pets must travel as cargo.

Quarantine: There is a six month quarantine in place for pets entering the UK from Kuwait. Pets entering Australasia must also go through a quarantine period. Each country’s rules and regulations vary; always check well in advance through the Embassy or Consulate of your destination country. The vets at Royal Animal Hospital or Dr Andro at Al Dohama is well versed in the blood work necessary for animals entering the EC or Australasia. We advise you to start planning early, as it can take up to 3 months to get blood results back from Europe (blood sample has to be tested OUT of Kuwait. Dr Andro can provide full details and the fees are reasonable at Al Dohama 4722002). If you are entering a country where quarantine is required, the following websites will provide all the information you require:

www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm

www.ukquarantine.com

www.dip.demon.co.uk

Travel Crate: However you are travelling, you should ensure your pet becomes used to the travel crate as early as possible. (Note: The crate must allow head clearance above your pet’s head and the animal should be able to stand up and turn around with ease). Crates are available at Royal Animal Hospital, Al-Dohama vet hospital, Al-Rai vet hospital, Sultan Centres, ACE Hardware and True Value. Al-Rai and Al-Dohama are the cheapest. All crates available here are accepted by the airlines. A few weeks before travel, put a familiar blanket and toy/treat/bone for your pet in the crate and leave the door open. It is very important (and less stressful) if your pet is used to the crate by the time you depart for the airport.

Airlines: Check with the airline before you book, as to whether they will fly an animal, out of Kuwait during the heat of the summer months. As mentioned above, in summer 2006, Delta Airlines stopped flying animals from May 15 to September 15. Other airlines do the same; some airlines restrict the no-fly policy to short nosed breeds like pugs, bulldogs and Persians.

NB: Although there have been no confirmed outbreaks of bird ‘flu in Kuwait to date, currently there is a ban on the import or export of pet birds. It is also not permitted to import or export Guinea Pigs, (Cavies). Sadly, they can only be imported officially, for research purposes. For updated information contact any of the vet clinics or call the Animal Health Ministry on 4761116 or 885020.

Useful Contact Numbers:

Royal Animal Hospital - (opening March 2007) Email: [e-mail] Web: www.hodagri.com/veterinary/royal.htm

Al Dohama Veterinary Hospital Tel: [phone]

Al Rai Veterinary Clinic: 4720243

Pet Suppliers: Ace Hardware 4769100

True Value 4833198

PAAAFR (Public Authority for Agriculture, Animals and Fish Resources - The Animal Health Ministry 885020 or 4744196

www.paws-kuwait.org


Take care!