Saudi Arabia: Sale of pet cats and dogs banned

[Rudey]

Hey everyone, I hear Canadians also blame the US for getting dogs banned in Saudi Arabia. Evidently if our culture wasn't so inferior then petsmart could still be in business and we wouldn't suffer through more terrorist attacks.


Saudi Arabia: Sale of pet cats and dogs banned

Associated Press, Sep. 8, 2006
Saudi Arabia's religious police, normally tasked with chiding women to cover themselves and ensuring men attend mosque prayers, are turning to a new target: cats and dogs.

The police have issued a decree banning the sale of the pets, seen as a sign of Western influence.

The prohibition on dogs may be less of a surprise, since conservative Muslims despise dogs as unclean. But the cat ban befuddled many, since Islamic tradition holds that the Prophet Muhammad loved cats, even in one instance letting a cat drink from his ablutions water before washing himself for prayers.

The decree _ which applies to the Red Sea port city of Jiddah and the holy city of Mecca, bans the sale of cats and dogs because "some youths have been buying them and parading them in public," according to a memo from the Municipal Affairs Ministry to Jiddah's city government.

"One bad habit spreading among our youths is the acquisition of dogs and showing them off in the streets and malls," wrote Aleetha al-Jihani in a letter to Al-Madina newspaper. "There's no doubt that such a matter makes one shudder."

"Then what's the point of dragging a dog behind you?" he added. "This is blind emulation of the infidels."

-Rudey

[valkyrie]

That is JACKED.

I don't really want to know, but what happens to the cats and dogs already there? Can I go get them?

[Kevin]

Actually, if we banned the sale of dogs and cats for profit, it would solve some serious animal control issues. Puppy mills, etc. could become a thing of the past. I have to think that'd be a good thing.

The way I read the article, it's not verboten to own dogs and cats, just buy them. Maybe now, people will adopt homeless critters rather than buy the newest hottest breed or mix breed.

[RACooper]

I can understand the ban on dogs in Mecca, and to some extent Jiddah (being a major entry point for those on pilgimage) from a religious or cultural standpoint.... the ban on cats those is a bit confusing though - other than maybe to put the pet sellers out of business in the two urban areas; perhaps to eliminate any chance of back-room dog sales or something...

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by ktsnake

Actually, if we banned the sale of dogs and cats for profit, it would solve some serious animal control issues. Puppy mills, etc. could become a thing of the past. I have to think that'd be a good thing.

Definitely - some of the pet shops I've seen, the dogs (among other animals) are not in good condition.

[valkyrie]

Originally Posted by ktsnake

Actually, if we banned the sale of dogs and cats for profit, it would solve some serious animal control issues. Puppy mills, etc. could become a thing of the past. I have to think that'd be a good thing.

The way I read the article, it's not verboten to own dogs and cats, just buy them. Maybe now, people will adopt homeless critters rather than buy the newest hottest breed or mix breed.

I 100% agree that dogs and cats should not be sold for profit ANYWHERE -- frankly, the whole concept disgusts me.

It seemed to me, though, that they're just as bothered by the "parading" of animals in public as they are with the sale -- but banning the sale is easier than banning possession. I might be reading too much into it -- I guess we'll see.

[RU OX Alum]

there is only one pet store that sells dogs here and i'm not sure if they are for profitt or not

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

Definitely - some of the pet shops I've seen, the dogs (among other animals) are not in good condition.

Also, they don't socialize well. When animals get little human attention in their early years, they tend to develop into less social adults.

[Kevlar281]

Hunting dogs dont come cheap.

[valkyrie]

Originally Posted by RU OX Alum

there is only one pet store that sells dogs here and i'm not sure if they are for profitt or not

LOL if a pet store isn't for profit, it won't be a store for long.

[Kevin]

He may be referring to the practice of some pet stores providing adoption centers for local animal shelters to show off their more adoptable wards.

-- thus "selling" dogs not for profit.

All of my animals and my family's animals come from places like that. While they all charge "adoption fees" which probably don't even scratch the surface as to what these folks have to invest in each animal, they don't make a profit.

We've actually done a little pro bono work for one adoption center. They are dead serious about enforcing the part of the adoption agreement requiring spaying/neutering. If you don't turn in proof within x days of adoption, they'll either steal the animal back (as authorized in the contract) or get a pro bono lawyer after you.

Great folks to deal with.

[kstar]

Originally Posted by ktsnake

He may be referring to the practice of some pet stores providing adoption centers for local animal shelters to show off their more adoptable wards.

-- thus "selling" dogs not for profit.

All of my animals and my family's animals come from places like that. While they all charge "adoption fees" which probably don't even scratch the surface as to what these folks have to invest in each animal, they don't make a profit.

We've actually done a little pro bono work for one adoption center. They are dead serious about enforcing the part of the adoption agreement requiring spaying/neutering. If you don't turn in proof within x days of adoption, they'll either steal the animal back (as authorized in the contract) or get a pro bono lawyer after you.

Great folks to deal with.

Which shelter is this, Pets'N'People? Because I love the fact that they are sticklers about the spay and neuter contract.

Also, since you are anti-puppy mill, there is a flashlight vigil at the State Capitol on the 30th for tougher legislation for puppy mills.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by kstar

Which shelter is this, Pets'N'People? Because I love the fact that they are sticklers about the spay and neuter contract.

Also, since you are anti-puppy mill, there is a flashlight vigil at the State Capitol on the 30th for tougher legislation for puppy mills.

Pets & People is the one.

I don't really get involved in political demonstrations. For one thing, if this is by "flashlight," then it'll be going on well after the senators/representatives and their staff members have left the area. I might, however, tell my wife (who besides teaching band, orchestra, and yearbook and journalism also teaches newspaper [if you're a teacher, 5 preps should make you cringe]) to send one of her students to cover the demonstration for their school paper.

[KillarneyRose]

My sister's college boyfriend was Muslim. Well, I assume he's still Muslim but he's no longer her boyfriend. Anyhoo...

When she and he spent the summer at their vacation house she couldn't bring her dog because his dad was very adament about dogs being unclean and didn't allow them in the house.

[Kevin]

Just spoke with an Iranian client about this as we were BS'ing. Apparently, in Tehran, every woman wants to be like Paris Hilton. Thus, small yipyip dogs are "in." This is disturbing to the religious people, and as we know, in Iran, when the religious and secular folks disagree, the religious folks win.