KUWAIT: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) recently released an official circular to all airlines regarding pet regulations at Kuwait International Airport. According to the circular, passengers are now restricted to bringing only one pet with them onboard, while any additional pets must be transported through the cargo terminal. This decision has caused significant discontent among many animal lovers. Kuwait Times spoke with Nathalie Veys, an animal rights activist, who expressed her firm opposition to the new circular, emphasizing the detrimental impact it has on both pet owners and animals.

Effects on pet owners

Veys elaborated that in countries like America, the average pet owner has 1.7 pets per household. However, in Kuwait, this number is closer to 3 pets per household. This is due to the exposure of pet owners to the suffering experienced by street animals, such as extreme heat, malnourishment, lack of veterinary care and abuse. As a result, pet owners feel compelled to adopt and care for more animals.

Veys also spoke about her own experience when she came to Kuwait in 2014 with one pet. Witnessing the suffering of street animals during her first summer pushed her to adopt more and more pets until she started the Adopt a Street Princess initiative, which aimed to rescue street animals and find them loving homes. By 2015, a shelter was established.

Nathalie Veys with the dog she has rescued.

Nathalie Veysn says on an average, Kuwait has three pets per household.

Key points in the new rule

Veys emphasized that it is crucial to understand the distinction between sending pets as cargo and as extra baggage with a passenger. “Sending pets as cargo requires longer processing times, as cargo companies require the items to be delivered well in advance of the flight. As a result, pets may spend unnecessary hours confined in travel boxes, amounting to 24-48 hours in some cases. Additionally, the involvement of numerous companies in cargo transportation leads to higher costs, including fees for loading, unloading, handling, inspection and storage. Furthermore, in comparison to international airports, Kuwait’s cargo terminals lack necessary facilities for the handling and welfare of live animals,” she explained.

Effects on rescue groups

According to Veys, rescue groups heavily rely on sending animals abroad to find new homes. This is because the local adoption capacity in Kuwait does not meet the demand for rescuing street animals. These groups work tirelessly to reduce the number of stray animals on the streets in a humane manner. However, they do not receive any support, including financial aid, from government departments in Kuwait.

The process of sending animals abroad already involves significant costs and extensive paperwork, but the new cargo rules further amplify these challenges. As a result, the rescue groups will be unable to send as many animals abroad, leading to an increase in the number of animals left on the streets and exacerbating the existing problem.

Recommendation

In light of the aforementioned consequences, Veys advised Kuwaiti authorities to collaborate more closely with rescue groups to enhance their efforts, facilitate the process of sending animals abroad and find local solutions. By doing so, the government can contribute to the overall benefit of society.

The new DGCA rule has significant implications for both pet owners and rescue groups in Kuwait. The increased processing times, higher costs and lack of specialized facilities for live animals pose substantial challenges. By recognizing the importance of rescue groups’ work and securing their support, Kuwait can make progress in addressing the issue of stray animals and ultimately benefit society as a whole.