Cats in Saudi Arabia: rules and travel
Bringing a dog or cat into Saudi Arabia needs an import permit through the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) Anaam platform, a microchip and a rabies vaccination with at least six months of validity left. Owners must meet the animal welfare rules, with MEWA fines of up to SR50,000 for neglect; no national dog registration, tax or licence rule could be confirmed.
Import and welfare rules are national (MEWA); no municipal pet rules could be confirmed online.
Registration and microchip
Cats brought into the country must be identified with an electronic chip or other identification, and must be free of parasites, especially toxoplasma.[1]
Keeping rules
Under the GCC Animal Welfare Law, owners must prevent harm and suffering, check animals at least once a day, have a vet examine and treat them, and must not release a dependent animal; giving one up has to be arranged with the authority.[2]
Travelling to Saudi Arabia with a cat
The same rules apply as from any other country: an import permit through the MEWA Anaam platform, valid 30 days, entry only through the port named on it, a microchip, rabies vaccination with at least six months of validity left, a health certificate from an accredited vet approved by the veterinary authority, the pet passport or vaccination record, and a certificate of origin.[1]
Same procedure for all countries. Travellers taking a pet out and back need an exit and return permit from Anaam, with return within 60 days. The owner's ID, passport or residence permit and a photo of the pet go with the application.[1]
MEWA schedules arrival dates according to quarantine capacity; a secondary source says no quarantine is imposed if all requirements are met.[1]
Not confirmed yet: Registration, Rabies antibody test. We only show what an official or named source states.
Laws change: this is general information, not legal advice. The authority linked on each line has the final word.