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Lion at the Local Pet Store in Erbil

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Lion pet store iraq 9 movingjack • pet store in erbil Lion pet store iraq 9 movingjack • pet store in erbil

On a random Tuesday afternoon, I needed to pick up some cat litter from the local pet store…

It’s just a regular pet store that I’ve visited numerous times. I walked in, looked around and found some cat food and cat litter.

When I turned around, I kind of froze because I looked right into the eyes of a small lion!

There was a LION just walking around in the pet store, and it was only five meters away from me, which is just insane!

Lion pet store iraq 4 movingjack • pet store in erbil
Lion pet store iraq 7 movingjack • pet store in erbil
Lion pet store iraq 5 movingjack • pet store in erbil

There were a few people in the store, and some were petting the lion. I couldn’t believe my eyes, it’s so dangerous. Even a trained young lion can be dangerous.

The guy who worked there asked if I wanted to take a picture, uhm no thanks! I paid for the cat litter and got the hell out of there!

Lion pet store iraq 8 movingjack • pet store in erbil
Lion pet store iraq 9 movingjack • pet store in erbil
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If you have any questions about visiting Kurdistan, just send me a message and I'll respond as soon as possible. 👍

Chris - Travel blogger and expert in Kurdistan travel

About the Author - Moving Jack

Hi! I'm Chris, and I lived in Iraqi Kurdistan for 2 years (2022-2024), giving me unique insights into one of the world's most misunderstood regions.

I hiked through the mountains, made friends and gained knowledge of the region's culture and traditions. My travel advice has been featured by NBC, Business Insider, The Sun US, US News, Fodor's Travel.

Upcoming Trips

  • September 2025 – Shanghai, China
  • September 2025 – Hanoi, Vietnam
  • October 2025 – Okinawa, Japan
  • January 2026 – New Zealand - Roadtrip
  • 2026 – U.S. West Coast

✈️ Thinking About Traveling to Erbil?

These Are the Tools I Use:

After traveling to over 40 countries and living in 4, I've learned which tools actually make things easier on the road. These are the websites and apps I always go back to when I'm planning a weekend away, booking longer trips, or figuring things out last minute with my family.

Places to Stay

    Booking a hotel isn't something I take lightly, where you stay can shape your entire trip. I'm all about getting the best value, so I usually bounce between a few sites. Booking.com is my go-to for most destinations, while Agoda often has better deals in Asia. Hotels.com sometimes comes through with even sharper prices, so it's always worth comparing.

  • Booking.com
    My go-to for most destinations.
  • Agoda
    Ideal for hotels and other places to stay in Asia.
  • Hotels.com
    Sometimes Hotels.com has great deals, worth checking out if you're looking for places to stay in Erbil.

Booking Flights & Transportation

  • Skyscanner
    Compare flights across airlines in seconds and find the best deals fast to Erbil.
  • Trip.com
    Many times I switch back and forth between Skyscanner and Trip.com looking for the best deal. Trip.com has great support but some times it is a hit or miss with finding the best deals. Trip.com works perfectly for booking trains in China and South Korea from my experience. I never used another platform in Asia for train tickets!
  • Expedia
    Great for figuring out how to get from A to B whether it's a plane, bus, or ferry.

Things to Do

    I usually like to explore on my own or ask locals or people that have visited a certain place a lot what the best things to do are. But that isn't always an option. With these websites I can explore what things there are to do in Erbil and book something even last minute.

  • GetYourGuide
    Has some unique tours, skip-the-line passes, and authentic local experiences in Erbil. Especially great for solo travelers!
  • Viator
    Is similar to Get Your Guide but it can't hurt to check both to get the best deal!
  • Klook
    Offers a more different variety of activities in Erbil. Btw, they offer 5% off now for a user's first hotel booking in the app, when you use the code "HotelOnApp".

Stay Connected

  • Airalo
    eSIM app I use to get online instantly in most countries. Especially useful when you arrive late in the evening and Sim Card shops are closed at the airport. It even works in China without a VPN so it saves you money as well from getting a VPN.

Affiliate Disclaimer

Some of the links on this website are affiliate links. This means that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links. For more details, please read the Affiliate Disclosure. Thank you for supporting Moving Jack! ❤️

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