There are no official animal rights group in Qatar but it IS illegal to sell any kind of primate without a CITES certificate. If you ever see an exotic animal like this, ask the owners of the shop to produce the paperwork for it. If they can't, you can report them to the CITES office here in Qatar and they will go and confiscate the animal. We at QAWS have had several animals confiscated in the past. Unfortunately it will be taken to the zoo but at least there it will get the correct care and diet it needs.
Please don't buy any cats, dogs, or exotics from the Souq as it encourages the trade and the pet shop owners will just get more in. Please be aware that primates can carry illnesses which are transferable to humans and should never be kept as pets. If you see anyone trying to buy a primate, you can normally scare them off by asking about whether they have had their Hepatitis, Tuberculosis and HIV tests completed! Cats & dogs bought from the Souq are likely to have health problems such as ringworm, ear and eye infections, worms, ticks and/or diseases such as parvovirus which can be fatal to puppies.
:: A pet is for life and not just for Christmas ::
There are no official animal rights group in Qatar but it IS illegal to sell any kind of primate without a CITES certificate. If you ever see an exotic animal like this, ask the owners of the shop to produce the paperwork for it. If they can't, you can report them to the CITES office here in Qatar and they will go and confiscate the animal. We at QAWS have had several animals confiscated in the past. Unfortunately it will be taken to the zoo but at least there it will get the correct care and diet it needs.
Please don't buy any cats, dogs, or exotics from the Souq as it encourages the trade and the pet shop owners will just get more in. Please be aware that primates can carry illnesses which are transferable to humans and should never be kept as pets. If you see anyone trying to buy a primate, you can normally scare them off by asking about whether they have had their Hepatitis, Tuberculosis and HIV tests completed! Cats & dogs bought from the Souq are likely to have health problems such as ringworm, ear and eye infections, worms, ticks and/or diseases such as parvovirus which can be fatal to puppies.
:: A pet is for life and not just for Christmas ::
www.qaws.org