We wish our pets had passports – it would make moving them across the globe so much easier! There are two ways to bring your dog, cat or bird with you: either hire a pet transport specialist or handle everything yourself. The former is pricey but really easy since all flight details and vet checks are arranged by the specialist, but here’s how to DIY.
Before you leave: the procedure
Regardless of the type of animal, you’ll need to obtain an import license (it costs $50) from the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) up to a month before you are planning on moving your pets to Singapore. But before you do, be sure to check out the veterinary conditions for importation of your pet.
Retrieve your pet’s documentation, such as vaccination records, sterilisation records, and microchip details. You’ll also require the weight, height, and length measurements of your pet before booking your flight. Check with the relevant department in your country what they require for your pet’s exportation. The necessary vet appointments and tests (for both your home country and Singapore) are specifically timed so you’ll have to be quite on the ball about this.
Most of the time you’ll have to purchase a carrier for your pet, either on your own or from the pet transport company. Cater for the carrier at the other end, that is make sure it can fit in the planned transport on arrival as they’re expensive and you won’t want to have to discard it at the airport. International Air Transport Association has more information on transporting your pets.
If your home country belongs to category C or D, your pet will need to be quarantined upon arrival in Singapore. Do submit your application in reserving a quarantine space early – three months in advance is optimal – as the quarantine station in Singapore is usually heavily booked. Pets arriving from countries in categories A and B don’t require quarantine but they need to be accompanied by an Airline Declaration completed by the authorised airline staff on arrival.
Inform AVA’s Changi Animal and Plant Quarantine (CAPQ) via telephone or email at least five working days before your pet arrives. You’ll need to have pertinent information on hand, like flight details and import license number.
Upon arrival
When you’ve arrived in Singapore, head to Changi Airfreight Centre and present a copy of the AVA import license and your identity card or passport to the Police Pass Office, located at the entrance of the cargo complex. Then proceed to the cargo office of the airline that carried your pet to Singapore and collect all documents accompanying your pet. This includes the pet’s original health certificate, original vaccination records, original rabies serology test result, airway bill and Captain’s declaration (where applicable).
You’ll be directed to collect your pet and bring it to the CAPQ office, where AVA officers will verify your import license and all documentation. If your pet requires quarantine, they’ll be held at CAPQ and AVA will arrange for it to be sent to Sembawang Animal Quarantine Station (SAQS) to undergo quarantine.
Tips for flying pets to Singapore
When you’ve got the carrier and are a couple of weeks away from moving, place it somewhere your pet sleeps or spends a lot of time. Encourage it (with food!) to go into a carrier for naps – add toys and mats/towels for comfort.
Stick something absorbent on the bottom of the crate for the flight – try incontinence pads or sheets available at most pharmacies.
A few days before you leave, wear an old tee to bed. Pop it (unwashed) in the carrier on moving day with an old toy. Everything you put in the carrier might get thrown out when you arrive in Singapore so don’t include anything you want to keep…
Good luck!
Top image: Save Our Street Dogs