A relocation agency has reassured expatriate pet owners that viable options remain available to move their fur babies out of the country if they are planning to leave the kingdom’s shores.
As regional tensions escalate, some pet-owning residents have voiced concern about how to relocate their animals across borders within tight timeframes.
Currently, many residents have successfully evacuated to Saudi Arabia, where flights remain accessible for onward travel. A key challenge is that Saudi Arabia requires an Iqama (residence permit) to import pets.
“A lot of our customers have been helped by friends who reside in Saudi, but not everyone has that option,” Jetpet Global owner Inge Michiels told the GDN. “This can make the process significantly longer and more complicated for those trying to bring their animals into Saudi Arabia, whether to stay or to transit onward.”
In some cases, pets may even become temporarily stuck across the causeway, forcing owners to travel first and wait for their animals to arrive later.
Additionally, because Saudi Arabia is classified as a high-risk rabies country, careful and meticulous planning is essential to navigate the process successfully.
“Entry into the country should never be treated as an isolated move; it must be considered as part of a longer journey,” she noted.
This involves careful co-ordination of rabies antibody titer testing, mandatory waiting periods required by destination countries, and precise timing to allow onward travel without lengthy quarantine.
She explained that other requirements for importing pets into Saudi Arabia are relatively straightforward. “You just need a microchip and up-to-date vaccines from a veterinary clinic,” she said.
Cats require the rabies plus three-in-one vaccination, while dogs need the rabies plus five-in-one vaccination. Each country has different import rules, so it is important to check with official channels regarding what is needed for the final destination.
