By Joey Aguilar
Staff Reporter

Adopting and taking “rescued” pets back home may not be as costly as any animal lover in Doha expects.

Those who are willing to take an animal to their homeland only need to pay a QR10 fee to secure the needed permit from Qatar’s Ministry of Environment, Department of Animal Resources (MoE-DAR), said Zyron Pineda, chairman of “Pinoy Animal Lovers (PAL).”

While many people in the country are keen in adopting pets, the high cost of securing the needed documents impedes them from proceeding.

Pineda disclosed that some groups are believed to refer people to private clinics which charges about QR4,000 to QR5,000 for vaccination and other services.

“In our case, we refer them to MoE-DAR which offers free neutering, medical check-up and a number of services needed to secure a permit,” he noted. “A lot of people want to adopt but they do not know how.”

PAL is distributing information materials about the procedures in exporting and importing pets to the Philippines. For other nationalities, the procedures and requirements in their respective countries may differ.

Some of the requirements to get an export permit from Qatar include: an updated (“microchiped”) vaccination record;” and an export permit from the MoE-DAR 10 days prior to scheduled flight.

The new owner should also bring the pet, his or her Qatar ID and (updated) vaccination records in applying for an import permit.

PAL noted that the import permit is valid for two months only and pets aged four months old and above are the only ones allowed to be imported to the Philippines.

Pre-registration is required for Qatar Airways flight, calling 4449-6666 in advance 48 hours before the flight schedule, according to PAL.

“Adopting pets in Qatar comes with big responsibility. Negligence will get you in trouble,” the group said.

Spaying and neutering animals, as well as keeping their identification up to date, and following Qatar licensing laws are part of responsible ownership, according to PAL.

The group reiterated that it does not encourage breeding due to the country’s problem on stray animals.

Since most of the cats and dogs are rescued animals, PAL pointed out that some may have behavioural problems and need a lot of understanding and patience. One reason is probably due to the cruelty and trauma the pet had experienced from its previous owner.

“We are not trying to discourage anyone as most of the rescued pets are the sweetest,” it added.

The group rescues about one or two animals almost every day and keep them in most of their members’ houses or villas. Volunteers have also built a temporary shelter in Industrial Area for the pets.

As a non profit group recognised by the MoE-DAR, Pineda said they do not accept any monetary donation except for dog and cat food.