There are numerous moving companies available in Doha. The prices vary, with some being quite reasonable while others seem a bit pricier. However, this is one area where the old saying is true: you get what you pay for! Your best bet would be to get a couple of quotes from various companies. Many international employers will pay for your relocation and may have a particular moving company that they prefer to deal with.

For local moves you could pack your belongings yourself and hire a truck, which can be found in the Najma Souk area. However, with this option you are taking a risk, because if something is broken en route, your items won't be insured.

Removal and Relocation Companies
Allied Pickfords	4667100
Crown Relocations	4621115
Gulf Agency Company (GAC)	4315222
Inchcape Shipping Services	4329810
International Freight Services (IFS)	4667100
Overseas Cargo	4358469
Qatar Logistics	4550991
Royal Cargo Services	4315515

Many rented houses in Doha come furnished with all main items. Some houses come semi furnished, which usually means with kitchen appliances (cooker, fridge, washing machine). It could also mean with air conditioners although some houses are rented without any air conditioners and it is wise to check this before you sign any contracts.

Doha has lots of furniture shops if you need to furnish your house yourself (refer to the Shopping section on p.162 for the best places to shop for furniture). Unfortunately, Doha doesn't have an IKEA (yetO, but it does have 10 Design, which is very similar.

The majority of international companies will give employees an allowance to buy their own furniture, which then becomes their own after two years' service. Other companies will give

employees a relocation allowance to spend 0whatever they wish. A few companies will allo employees to choose from a selection of furniture that they already have in storage. People in Doha seem to arrive and leave all the time, so there are a number of second-han furniture sales. Some people put up lists 0" noticeboards in supermarkets and schools, an others have garage sales. Both are an excelle-' way of picking up furniture at bargain prices.

There are places where you can get furniture manufactured to your specifications, but the furniture does not always turn out exactly as you would wan so be careful. It is a good idea to ask around and g; somewhere that has been recommended.

Lulus and Carrefour have a wide range of household appliances and most items are reasonably priced. You may find second-hanc appliances from people who are leaving thE country, but just be sure to check that they wor before you hand over your money. Do some research into current market prices, so that you ca be sure that you are actually getting a bargain.

Although cases of theft from private properties is still rare in Qatar, isolated incidents do occur. It is advisable to buy insurance cover if you have costly household goods and valuables.

If you would like your home and contents insured, contact a insurance company and they will guide you through the relevant types of cover and procedures.

Qatar Insurance Company is highly recommended.

Although there are no launderettes available to do your own washing, Doha has many laundry shops that offer numerous services. For a very reasonable amount they will do dry cleaning, washing, drying, ironing, and even rug cleaning. You can actually get your shirts ironed for QR 1 each! Some shops offer a home pick-up and delivery service.

laundries and Dry Cleaners
Al Ahmadi Laundry	AI Sadd	4441840
Al Rayes Laundry	Al Messila	4805965
Dawn Laundry	Musheirib	4425535
Nasco	Al Matar AI Qadeem	4661924
Oasis Laundry	AI Hitmi Al Jadeed	4860983

One of the advantages of living in the Middle East is the ease with which you can hire someone to help you with your household chores. The majority of expat families in Doha have domestic help.

There are a few agencies that can assist you to find a live-in housemaid. The advantage of using an agency is that, iffor some reason your maid does not work out, they will send her back to her home country and provide you with a replacement at no extra cost, as long as it is within six weeks. Agencies also sort out all of the visa procedures, which can be daunting if you try to do it on your own.

If you would like to hire a housemaid, you have to get a no objection letter from your sponsor. Single men may not have a live-in maid and a no objection letter will only be given once the spouse has her Residence Visa. Once the no objection letter has been issued, you can start the residence visa procedure, medical testing and fingerprinting of the maid. Once the visa has been issued you are responsible for your maid's welfare and behaviors.

Alternatively, you could find a maid through word of mouth. Some expat families advertise a vacancy for a maid in the local newspaper. When ex pats are leaving, they often advertise their maid's qualities in order to help her find a new job. This is a useful way of finding someone with good references.

Domestic Help Agencies
Al Baidha Cleaning Co.	4692696
jassim Decoration & Services	4477305
Rose Services & General Cleaning Company	4697711

A maid's salary often depends on her nationality. Filipinos are usually paid between QR 1,500 and QR 1,800 per month, while Sri Lankan and Indian ladies tend to be paid between QR 800 and QR 1,200 per month. Most expats will subsidise the housemaid's pay by buying food and clothing.

If you live on a compound, finding someone to look after your children will be easy. There may be severa! Live-in maids who want to earn extra money or teenagers who may be interested in babysitting. Most expats don't mind their maid helping out if they don't need her themselves. Some of the domestic help agencies also offer a babysitting service.

There are mother and baby groups that may be able to help you with childcare options. Some of the nurseries accept young babies. Most ex pats have maids who look after their children if the need arises. Most maids do not have formal qualifications, but may have experience with children from a previous job. Many housemaids have children of their own, but have left them in their own country while they earn money in Qatar. It may be possible to get a professional child carer who has come to Doha with her husband, but generally there isn't a demand for them as people can get the services of a maid for a lot less than they would have to pay a nanny. If you insist on having a professional nanny, an option would be to bring one over from your home country. Hotels offer babysitting if you fancy a night away at one of the many hotels in Qatar.

Shopping centres and gyms do not have creche facilities, as there is not a huge demand for such services. Doha has a number of nursery schools; see the nursery school section on P.76 for more details.

There are a few options you can try when looking for plumbers, electricians or carpenters. The streets around the Najma area have a number of carpenters who will be able to assist you. There are quite a few small businesses on AI Arabiya Street where you can locate electricians and plumbers. If you live on a compound, they will either provide someone to do the maintenance work for you, or give you a number to contact. Alternatively, ask around for recommendations.

It is possible to bring your pets with you to Qatar. However, the Government has a list of forbidden dog breeds that are not allowed into the country. You can ensure that your dog is not one of the forbidden breeds by obtaining a list from the Ministry of Agriculture (443 4040) or the Government Veterinary Clinic (465 3083). Cats and dogs must have all vaccinations up to date and must be vaccinated against rabies.

In order to bring your animals into the country, you will have to obtain an import permit, which you can get at the Ministry of Agriculture (office near Parachute Roundabout, on Airport Road). You will require a health certificate issued by a reputable vet in your home country and the animal's vaccination record. You need to get the health certificate no earlier than two weeks before the animal is going to be imported into Qatar.

Shipping agencies can arrange the documents for the import of animals in two weeks. It may be easier to use their services than doing it yourself. The shipping agency will ask you to supply the following documents: health certificate, vaccination record, photos (if it is a dog), passport copies of the owners and flight details or airway bill.

Some airlines allow animals to travel as cargo or on the same flight as their owners as an accompanied pet. You will have to check with the airline office in your country of origin. Your pet will be released after customs clearance; there is no quarantine requirement in Qatar.

Purchasing a dog or cat in Qatar is not recommended as the standards of pet shops are not very high and many of the animals may be sick or undernourished when you buy them.

There are many stray animals which have been dumped by their owners when they leave Qatar and there are a few rescue organizations for cats and dogs, such as the Animal Rescue Kennels (551 1769), Qatar Animal Welfare Society (528 6335), and Pampered Pets Kennels & Cattery (588 4132).

The above organizations will also be able to assist you with boarding kennels for your pets when you go on holiday.

Veterinary Clinics
Animal Care Center	4877144
Bustan Veterinary Care	4360052
Government Veterinary Clinic	4653083
The Veterinary Surgery	4684391

You are allowed to walk your pets on empty Ian around buildings and villas, but animals are not allowed into parks or on beaches.

To take your pets back home with you, they need be vaccinated against rabies and have all their vaccinations up to date. EU countries require 2 blood test to show that the vaccinations have bee" effective. Some countries will require the animal> to be de-wormed and have tick and tapeworm treatments before they arrive. Check the regulations of the country to which you are taking your pet.

You need to get a health certificate seven day~ before the animal is due to travel. This can be done at the government veterinary clinic, free 0' charge. Remember to take your pet's updated vaccination record.

Pet Boarding/Sitting
Animal Care Center	4877144
Animal Rescue Kennels	5511769
Pampered Pets	5884132

Once you have the health certificate, you will have to take it to the Qatar National Travel office (QND, which is located at the airport cargo section (462 6900). You will have to book flights and pay the amount in full, including handling fees, before the~ issue the airway bill. This needs to be done five days before you want the animal to travel. Make sure you have a suitable travel kennel that is approved by the airline. Remember that the health certificate needed for exporting an animal is only valid for one week and the travel arrangements have to be made five days prior to departure.