Singapore
Relocating your family to Singapore
When you relocate to another country with your pets, you can face uncertainty and experience some emotional challenges. Choosing PetAir allows them to take on all of your worries (most of them at least) that you may have. The team understands that your pets are very much part of your family, and they will guide you through the entire process with their knowledge and relative ease. It’s important to understand that PetAir has an experienced team in Singapore who will be on hand every step of the way and take the worry out of travelling.
What is the process?
We firstly recommend that you give yourself plenty of time to ensure the smooth running of your relocation. Please start the process as soon as you have your relocation confirmed because it can take a few months. There can be unplanned setbacks or delays with vaccination requirements, animal illness or administration errors.
Recruit PetAir
The rules and regulations surrounding pet importation are often changing. You can breathe easily with PetAir. They have fully trained experts that understand the importance of your pets and the ever-changing landscape. They will make sure that your pets meet the import requirements. Each pet must be fully vaccinated and be at least three months old.
Banned breeds
The government has specific guidelines that you must follow. The criteria to import cats and dogs are strict.
Sadly, there are several breeds of cats and dog that are banned, including:
- Akita
- American pit bull terrier
- Boerboe
- Brazilian fila
- Dogo Argentino
- Japanese tosa
- Neapolitan Mastiff
- Pit Bulls, including American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Bulldog and crosses between these breeds and other breeds.
- Perro de Presa Canario
- First, to fourth generation Bengal or Savannah cat crosses
Vaccinations
It’s essential to ensure that your pets have all of the relevant vaccinations within the stipulated times. Each vaccination must be administered at least 21 days and no longer than one year before arrival into Singapore.
Dogs
- Parvovirus (DHLPP)
- Hepatitis
- Canine Distemper
Cats
- Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis
- Panleukopenia (FVRCP)
Rabies Vaccine and Certificate
Cats and dogs must be vaccinated against rabies. Your vetinerary surgeon will provide you with a certificate that states the microchip number, the validity of the vaccination, and the date of inoculation. Rabies vaccines are valid for one, two or three years. The vaccine must be the inactivated variety. The vaccine must be administered between 30 days and 12 months before your pet’s flight into Singapore.
Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titer Test (RNAT) for Cats and Dogs
Dogs and cats coming from Category B, C, or D countries must have their rabies vaccination. You willl need to wait approximately four weeks before collecting a blood sample for the RNAT test. The test must meet the following requirements:
- A government-approved vet must scan the cat’s microchip and collect the blood sample for the RNAT testing in an approved country
- The microchip number must be recorded accurately on the blood tube and laboratory submission form
- The test is to be carried out by the competent authority approved laboratory in the country of export. It is possible to draw blood in one approved country and have it tested in another approved country
- The testing laboratory must use either a fluorescent antibody virus neutralisation (FAVN) test or a rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT)
- The laboratory report must be in English and written on the testing laboratory’s letterhead. It must include:
- the cat’s microchip number
- the blood sampling date and location
- the signature of the person issuing the laboratory report
- the test type and test result
- A result of 0.5 IU/ml or more is acceptable. A result of less than 0.5 IU/ml is not acceptable and you must re-vaccinate and repeat the testing process.
- The RNAT test is valid for 24 months from the date of blood sampling. If the RNAT test is more than 24 months old at the time of export, it is not valid, and you must have your cat re-tested
Country rabies risk status
Category A
Countries/Region of export free from rabies
Australia, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland and United Kingdom
Category B
Countries/Region of export with negligible risk of rabies
Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Denmark, Germany , Hong Kong SAR, Iceland, Japan, Jersey, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, New Caledonia, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and USA (Guam and Hawaii only).
Category C
Countries/Region of export with controlled risk or low incidence of rabies
Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Italy, Latvia, Netherlands, Slovakia, Spain, Taiwan and United States of America (except Guam and Hawaii).
Category D
Countries/Region of export with undetermined risk of rabies
All countries that not listed in Categories A, B, and C.
Microchip
The authorities will only identify your pets with a microchip, and the corresponding vet stamped pet passport. A microchip is an integrated identification circuit placed under the skin of your pet. The rice grain size chip uses passive radio-frequency identification technology. It must be implanted before the rabies vaccination is administered. The Thai government accepts microchips that comply with AVID 9 or AVID 10 and ISO Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO standard 11785.
Import Permit
An import licence is valid for 30 days from the date of issue. PetAir can apply for this on your behalf.
Veterinary Certification
You will need an official health certificate that states the name, age, description and microchip identification number of each pet within 10-days of your flight. The microchip identification number is 15-digits long. Without this, the government could deny your pet entry into the country. The completed certificate must endorsed by the exporting country’s government veterinarian.
The government states that the certificate must also include the following information before export:
- The animal has been examined and found to be healthy and free from any clinical sign of rabies and infectious or contagious diseases
- The animals has been treated for external and internal parasites.
- The animal has been vaccinated against rabies using an approved anti-rabies vaccine
- The vaccination history and health status of your pet
- That your pet is healthy enough for air travel
Make at least four copies of the certification and vaccination records for the following:
- Pet travel crate
- Transit permit (if necessary)
- One for you
On arrival inspection
PetAir will book an inspection for your dog or cat at least five days before the animal’s arrival
Dogs and cats entering Singapore by air are inspected at the Changi Airfreight Centre.
- Mondays to Saturdays 08.00 – 13.00 and 14.00 to 22.30
- Sundays and Public Holidays, closed
Quarantine
Dogs and cats from Category A or B countries are not required to undergo quarantine provided all veterinary conditions for import are met, and the animals are clinically healthy upon arrival.
Dogs and cats from Category C or D countries must be quarantined at the Sembawang Animal Quarantine Station (SAQS) upon their arrival in Singapore. Pets from Category C countries must be quarantined for up to 30 days and from Category D countries must be quarantined for at least 30 days.
Please reserve a quarantine space through PetAir at least three months before your pet’s arrival in Singapore.
Additional Information
Singapore is very strict with the importation of pets. Please ensure that you check whether your cat or dog is allowed to reside at your intended residence in Singapore.
If you are importing a dog, you must obtain a dog licence before applying for an import licence. PetAir can do this on your behalf.
You are required to obtain all of the necessary permits that will allow you to import your pets into Singapore. PetAir can also help you arrange the import permit on your behalf.
We hope that this reassures you, but should you need more specific advice, please let the helpful team at PetAir help, they are all delighted to help you.
Relocating with your pet should be hassle free, CONTACT US to find out more how it can be done.
