For anyone wishing to adopt a cat or dog from Iraq there are likely to be 1001 questions you will need answers to! Here are just a few of the more common ones

1. How much will it cost?

This will all depend on where you to are taking the animal to. If you are looking to take an animal back to the UK then you may be looking at a figure of around £3000 to £5000 dependant on the route and the charges imposed by the kennels you use for quarantine. For the US it is considerably cheaper than this due to the fact that there are no quarantine laws in the UK so it can cost as little as $1000.

2. Which route will I use?

There are several routes out of Iraq including Amman and Kuwait. The best route for you can be discussed once you have decided you wish to bring your pet home.

3. What paperwork will I need?

In order to take your pet to the UK you will first of all need and import licence/boarding document which will be provided by the quarantine facility you will use. No vaccinations are required for the UK as your pet will have to have a Rabies shot on arrival. That said it is always better to have vaccination papers to facilitate smooth passage out of Iraq. For the US all that is required is vaccination papers and a health certificate. Please contact us should you require this paperwork and we will put you in touch with a vet.

4. My animal is sick, are there any vets in Iraq?

There are several vets that we can call on that will travel to treat your pet for a fee. It is always worth having flea treatments and worming treatments sent in from home as well so that you can sure that your animal will not get sick from either one. If you require a vet please email me for contact details.

5. Where can I buy pet food and other supplies from?

If you have access to either APO or BFPO services then you are able to purchase pet supplies from a variety of online shops/stores. www.netgrocer.com has always been my preferred retailer for pet foods. Failing that you can have family and friends ship items in using FedEx or DHL or another courier service.

6. Will I need a special crate/carrier to transport my pet?

Yes, you will require a carrier that meets with IATA standards to transport your pet in. Please do not fall into the trap of thinking bigger is better, all of the airlines have strict criteria and information about the size of crate or carrier you need for your pet can be found on the airline websites or on the IATA website.

7. Will my pet be allowed to travel in the passenger cabin with me?

For travel to the UK and Europe your pet will not be allowed to travel with you in the passenger cabin, it will travel as cargo. Do not worry, the cargo hold is temperature controlled and has an air supply and it is darkened which helps to keep your pet calm. For travel to the US some airlines will allow you to travel with you pet as hand luggage in the passenger cabin. Please contact your airline for more information on this.

8. Is Iraq a rabies free country?

No, Iraq is not rabies free. There are many cases of feral animals with rabies in both city and rural areas. Before you take on a stray animal please keep this in mind. It is a non curable disease in animals and is more often than not it is fatal in humans. Of all the rescues I have assisted with and performed to date not a single animal has contracted rabies.

9. I am a serving soldier in the US Forces and I want to take my adopted pet home, what should I do?

For anyone serving in the US Forces please contact Operation Baghdad Pup as your first port of call. They are specifically geared towards helping soldiers in war zones although from time to time Baghdad Cat Rescue will work alongside them to get the animals out safely.

Each individual that chooses to embark on this journey will have lots of questions, far too many to go into on this page so please do not hesitate to contact me for further information.