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[snowsilver]

Can't find anything on this in search.

My son is leaving Riyadh in October after teaching there two years. He has acquired a dog (German Shepard mix) and refuses to even consider leaving her behind.

Does anyone have any experience in shipping a pet back to the States from Saudi? Costs? Requirements, etc.? Would be very grateful for any help in this.

I'm posting for him as this site is now blocked and he can no longer access it.

[spiral78]

I cannot speak to the Saudi end of things, but my dog's got 17 intercontinental flights behind him so far, so I can offer general info and info regarding getting the dog into the States.

First, if the dog's mid to large sized, he/she will need to be shipped by crate. This must be arranged in advance with the airline, and costs a usually a couple of hundred USD. I do not know who flies to Saudi, but I can say that DELTA, Lufthansa, Air Canada, Air France, and KLM all offer pet service. I am sure there are others, but these ones I've dealt with personally and can recommend.

It is by far best for the dog to be on the same flight(s) as your son. Normally, you check in with the dog three hours in advance, and then keep the dog with you up to an hour before flight time, so that you can water him just before he goes to be loaded.

Your son should consider how long the total journey will be. I have broken up long trips halfway by spending a night somewhere enroute. Be aware that the animal will NOT be given to you on any layover, even if it's hours long!!
This means that you need to check all baggage to the overnight destination, and check in all over again the next day for your final destination - but can make the journey much safer and more comfortable for the dog.

It's also recommended to ask when you board the aircraft for flight staff to ask the pilot to confirm that the dog is indeed on your plane. A major danger when flying with an animal is that it is misloaded. It's also a good idea to ask for confirmation that your dog is on the plane at the gate check-in.

Do NOT fly the dog as cargo. Fly him in 'pet services' as checked live animal. This is a special compartment under the pilot, and provides the quietest, most stable ride on the entire aircraft.

The crate has to be an official one, securely fastened (the biggest risk with dog flying is his escaping the crate) with metal fasteners. Your son will want to invest in a secure crate ASAP, if he hasn't already got one, and get the dog used to seeing it as a refuge and safe place.

It is not recommended to sedate the dog before flight. Feed lightly.

The dog will need to be microchipped (if not already) and to have an international passport, which can be issued by any veterinary office. If your son has trouble finding a vet who has ready access to such passport, I suggest he check at the airport - they should have some official there who deals with animals and can provide the passport or info re how to get one. This passport (which includes owner info and a photo of the dog) is for veterinarians to officially record shots and etc.
To enter the US, the dog should have a rabies vaccine (recorded in the passport) less than 12 months old. To find what other requirements may apply for an animal coming from Saudi, check:

http://www.petrelocation.com/pet-relocation-resources/united-states-pet-import-requirements

[spiral78]

I've just scanned the webstie and it seems screwworm is an issue in dogs coming from Saudi. The dog will need to have a health cert issued five days before flight saying that she's screwworm free. If it were me, I would take her now to be sure she is (if I didn't know for sure already) and arrange to go again for the cert in the correct time period.

more info on required health certs:

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/animals/animal_import/animal_imports_pets.shtml


http://www.pettravel.com/passportnew.cfm