If you’re planning an extended trip or to relocate, it’s important to plan ahead if you intend to take your pets with you. Qatar airlines is becoming a popular choice for transits, Doha being a major International flight hub.
Qatar Airways Cargo recently highlights that animal welfare is their absolute priority. Qatar Airline have CEIV Live Animals certification – this is an advanced certification to establish baseline standards to improve the level of competency in pet handling by their staff. They do also have a new pet facility in Doha.
This live animal facility is for pets in transit, for dogs and cats (and other species) while they wait for their connecting or departing flights. Here is a secure and climate-controlled environment which is supervised by trained animal handlers who walk pets between flights, and clean out any soiled pet crates.
Qatar airlines are really helpful in accommodating animals on their flights and offer a range of options based on your needs. We will need to inform them ahead of time when you plan to travel so that they can cater for you and your pet and make you both feel as comfortable as possible during your journey.
In-Cabin Pet Transport on Qatar Airlines
Your pet may fly with you in the cabin in certain circumstances. However, you will usually have to prove the reasoning for flying alongside your pet. These may be medical reasons, where your doctor can provide a document to prove the requirement.
No animals bigger than a small-sized dog will be permitted to travel in the cabin.
Emotional Support Animals or Service Animals on Qatar Airlines
Qatar Airlines allow service animals and emotional support animals on their flights. However, you must make them aware in advance if your support animal is traveling in the cabin with you.
The animal must be well trained and have all of their vaccinations. Only one support animal or service animal is allowed per person. Situation does depend on which port you are flying from, and to. In practice this is not possible out of Hong Kong.
Checked Baggage Animals on Qatar Airlines
If your pet is something other than a dog or cat, or is too large to fit under the seat during take-off and landing, they may have to fly as checked baggage.
This means that they fly in a specific section of the cargo hold which has the same temperature and air pressure as the passenger’s cabin, so they won’t feel cold during the flight.
There may be weight limitations to this, just like any other checked baggage. The limit to how many pets you can take is dependent on the port. You may have to pay more if you exceed your weight allowance.
To fly as checked baggage, your pet will need to travel in a suitable crate for air transport which meets the airline’s regulations.
Cargo Pet Policies with Qatar Airlines
For larger animals, or those not able to fly as checked baggage, your pet can fly as cargo. This is normally the case if you don’t intend to fly on the same flight.
Also Check Out: Pet Manifest Cargo vs Excess Baggage
Planning Ahead When Traveling with a Pet
Before you set out on your journey, there are a few important things that you should consider to prepare your pet. Ferndale Kennels would make all the planning so there would not be too much for you to do.
Vaccinations
Before you travel, we would advise you on which vaccinations are required for your destination. In the majority of cases, your pet will need to have had a rabies vaccination at least 30 days prior to travel.
It’s also important to keep up with their annual vaccinations to ensure that they stay healthy both during and after the move.
Microchips
A microchip is essential for pet travel. It helps any country to identify your pet and link them to you. If they do get lost, then it’s easy to find you, giving you peace of mind.
Animal Health Certificate
Before you travel, for the majority of countries, your pet will need to have a clean bill of health signed by a vet. These documents are called Animals Health Certificates (AHC) and show all of your pet’s medical information and past treatments. Your airline will not let you fly without this.
Banned Breeds When Flying
Certain breeds are not permitted to fly with Qatar Airlines. This is either due to them being deemed dangerous dogs or because the airline is concerned if they fly well at altitudes or have concerns if the flight could be damaging to their health.
The current banned breeds list is:
- Greyhound
- Affenpinscher
- Pug
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- Bichon Frise
- Bulldog
- Boston Terrier
- Boxer
- Brussels Griffon
- Bull Mastiff
- Cane Corso
- King Charles Spaniel
- Chow Chow
- Dogo Argentino
- Dogue de Bordeaux
- English Mastiff
- Neapolitan Mastiff
- Japanese Chin
- Pekingese
- Presa Canario
- Shar Pei
- Shih Tzu
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Bull Terrier
- Pitbull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Valley Terrier
- French Terrier
Pet Age Restrictions
Qatar Airlines will only transport animals that are over 12 weeks of age. This is because they are then old enough to have had all of the relevant vaccinations. Younger puppies or kittens will need to wait until they are at least 3 months old before boarding a flight.
Our Pet Relocation Service
Preparing for a move abroad can be stressful for you and your pet. We would like to give you full assistance in preparing your documents and setting your pet up for the big change, our pet relocation specialists will be able to assist.
Our expert pet travel team can help you arrange your appointments, gather together the right documents and ensure your pet is comfortable and prepare for the flight itself.
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