Name: McCarthy
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Mixed
From: Hong Kong
To: Singapore

 

Hi There,

We are relocating in May, and for various reasons, we prefer that our dog relocate two to three months after we arrive in Singapore. Is it possible for him to join us later?

Best regards,
McCarthy

 

Greetings,

Yes, this is possible. We often move pets after a family has already moved, and in fact we often recommend it. If your pet can stay with a friend or at a trusted boarding facility for a few days or weeks, you'll have time to deal with your own move and settle in to your new place without worrying about more than you need to. Welcoming your pet into a home that's been unpacked when you're feeling more relaxed will make the move transition much smoother.

Here are the import requirements for Singapore in case you'd like to take a look. We recommend starting the process early, and if you're interested in our door-to-door services, you can fill out our free quote form. Hope this helps! Good luck with everything, and we hope to hear from you soon.

 

 

Name: Michelle
Pet's Name: Patty
From: Los Angeles
To: Hong Kong
 

We are really pleased with the service from PetRelocation. We were nervous about moving our cat Patty from Los Angeles to Hong Kong, and I had LOTS of questions about the paperwork required and the process. The staff members I worked with were very helpful and patient, and they made sure we had everything we needed.

Their services were very easy to use and definitely pet-friendly. They made sure Patty was cared for, and sent us updates throughout her travel. She's in Hong Kong now, and is enjoying the windows and the great views from our flat!

I really enjoyed working with the staff at PetRelocation, and if we need to move again, I'll definitely use their service. Thank you!

 

Moving pets to China isn't exactly easy, but with the right prep work and background knowledge, the process can be managed pretty smoothly. We've moved many dogs and cats to China over the years we've been in the business of shipping pets, so when it comes to organizing paperwork, choosing the right port of entry, and making sure pets are kept as safe and comfortable as possible throughout the process, our pet relocation specialists have plenty of know-how.

They're so well-versed on the topic, in fact, that two of our specialists will be traveling to the annual meeting of the Charlotte Metro Area Relocation Council tomorrow, Sept. 13, to speak about the basics of moving pets to China. Check out a preview of the event below!

In case you're interested in finding out more, take a look at the links below for a good introduction to moving pets to China. And, always, be sure to contact us if you have any questions.

 

Helpful China Pet Travel Links:

Pet Import Requirements for China

Bringing a Pet from Hong Kong to China: Part I and Part II

Quinn & Shadow's Move to Shanghai

Shimmy & Bella's Move to China

Little's Relocation to Shanghai

 

Though every pet move is different, most share a few familiar elements. This month's Pet Move of the Month illustrates a perfect example of what the typical pet owner experiences each step of the way: initial nervousness followed by a growing confidence that everything will be fine, and finally the happiness that comes with seeing your pet delivered safely to you.

Mandy is as dedicated a pet owner as can be, and her dog Napoleon (Napoe) is one lucky pup. Their recent move from the United States to Hong Kong was a smooth adventure, and we congratulate them for being stellar travelers.

Read more about Napoe's experience, including some valuable information about pet life in Hong Kong (people love him there!). Thanks to Mandy and Napoe, and good luck in your new home!

 

Is this the first time you’ve ever moved a pet?

Yes.  This is the first time we've ever moved our little guy. Napoe has lived in Arkansas for all 7 1/2 years of his doggy life. He is like our child.  

We've had never boarded him, never crated him, never left him with anyone other than family and close friends. The thought of him flying alone as cargo was mortifying to me. When I learned that the Hong Kong government wouldn't allow him to fly with us in the cabin, I literally had a panic attack.

A friend who had moved from our area to Hong Kong and used PetRelocation.com to help them move their dog Roger recommended you to us. From the first phone call (and I got through the call ALMOST without crying) I felt very comfortable with the care, knowledge and professionalism that every person I spoke to had. Each person seemed to genuinely want Napoleon to make a safe and successful move to Hong Kong.  
 

What were some of your concerns going into the move?

I wanted to know everything about every leg of Napoe's travel. What would he see, hear, and smell? Would there be any chance that someone might mistreat him? Would he be scared? Would he panic? Should I look into sedating him? What would happen if he needed to go to the bathroom, etc etc. I was also concerned with the fact that he is only 3.5lbs and his bladder is tiny. Could he manage a 16 hour flight without having to potty?

Each of my questions was listened to and addressed with care and compassion. I learned that dogs are den animals, and that while Napoe might initially be nervous, he would likely burrow into a blanket and fall asleep to the hum of the plane motor. I worried that he would be cold, but was assured that the place he would ride was temperature and pressure controlled.  

 

Reading about Hong Kong

 

Did anything surprise you about the international pet moving process?

Yes. The knowledge of the staff, the follow up, and the ease with which we were able to bring him over to Asia. I was thoroughly and completely impressed with how simple things were, for me and for Napoe. After my first call to PetRelocation.com,  things went smooth as silk.  

How is Napoe adjusting to life in Hong Kong?

When Napoe arrived and was let out of his crate, for about 30 seconds his ears were back and he was a little uncertain. Then, after he realized that it was me, his mom, he was so happy!!  He wiggled his tail and he was happy, playful and thrilled to see me. Napoe explored our apartment and went right to his blanket and found his favorite toy. 

He is still getting used to the fact that most of the places where he is allowed to potty are concrete. But., there are also plenty of places where he can explore. Where we are in Stanley, he is welcome at restaurants, shops and he comes with us just about everywhere we go on the South side of the Island.

Because he's out with us SO much, he sleeps almost all night and when he does wake, he goes to the balcony for a quick pee and then hops right back into bed with us. He misses his large yard at home, but he's adjusting very well to life in Hong Kong. Lots of doggy friends for him here.  

Mandy and Napoe. Napoe loves exploring Stanley in his travel bag.

 

What is life like in Hong Kong? Is it a pet-friendly place to be?

In the city, it's much like it would be in New York, London, etc., however we chose to live in Stanley, which is on the Southern peninsula of the Island. Dogaroo in Stanley Plaza is great for "dog products" like leashes and bowls and poop baggies. There's also a shop in Horizon Plaza in Ap Lei Chai which sells all things dog!

There is a vet in Stanley that's next to a groomer shop, and both are very reputable. I don't recall the name of the groomers but I believe the vet is simply Stanley Vet Center.  

I've not found a dog-friendly beach in Stanley, but I'm told that they exist. Napoe is welcome in the Taxis, and legally drivers can charge an additional $5HKD for him (less than .80 cents US). Sometimes they do, but most times they just think he's an adorable passenger and don't charge for him.  

What advice do you have for people who might be planning a move?

Relax. Take things one day at a time. It's very likely that someone else has shared the same experience that you are facing. ASK QUESTIONS. Being independent and attempting to figure it all out might be "your style," but allow people to help you. Research and verify what you're told, but learn from the experiences that others have already had. Patience and a sense of humor are two key items!

 

Adventure time

 

Find out more about moving pets around the world by contacting PetRelocation.com.

Name: Cecilia
Number of Pets: 5
Pet Type: Cats
Pet Breed: One British Short Hair, One Persian, Three Domestic Short Hair
From: Hong Kong
To: Bangkok, Thailand

 

Is there a quarantine for Thailand? Can my pets travel on the same aircraft as me?

Thanks,

Cecelia

 

Hello Cecelia,

 

Here are the pet import requirements for Thailand (and you can also find more info here). If all requirements are met there shouldn't be a quarantine.

As far as air travel, we recommend choosing a pet-friendly airline and in that case it's not necessary to travel on the same flight. You may end up hiring someone to help with your cats' passage, but just know that it's typical for pet owners to take separate flights.

Please contact us if you'd like a free quote or if you have any more questions. We'd be happy to assist you with your upcoming pet move!

 

Name: Katie
Company: Mars / Wrigley
Pet's Name: Buddy
From: Houston
To: Hong Kong
 

We were already in Hong Kong, so my mother and PetRelocation.com had to handle all the logistics of Buddy's move. We hit some bumps in the road (with a not-so-great vet), but Rebecca at PetRelocation.com was amazing and handled it all with positivity and a smile.

By the time Buddy arrived at our apartment in Hong Kong, he was over his travel jitters, tail wagging and happy to see me. The people who dropped him off were so nice, and Buddy seemed very comfortable with them.

All in all this was a very good experience. It was SO nice to not have to do this ourselves (the paperwork alone is daunting!) and Buddy is safe and sound in his new home. (The photo below is from the moment he arrived :)

Name: Emily
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Yorkie
From: Orlando, FL
To: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

 

Are you a member of IPATA?

 

Hi Emily,

Yes, we are members of IPATA! We are active in the organization and every year attend the IPATA conference, wherever it may be (this year it was in Hong Kong). Check out some of the adventures two of our specialists had at the 2011 IPATA Conference, and please let us know if you have any more questions.

 

Name: PC
Pets' Names: Jaja and Leia
From: San Jose, Costa Rica
To: London, UK


Jaja and Leia are sisters, both 10 years old, and of mixed shepherd dog breed originally from Turkey, the first country I lived in overseas with my husband. My husband brought them home when they were pups on the day they were about to be taken away from his factory grounds by the local municipal who were rounding up strays.

Since then, they've moved with us to Honduras, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Costa Rica and now UK! Though they're seasoned travelers, we still dread the day when we have to pull out the carton boxes for packing.....the reckoning of what's coming and the resigned look in their eyes says it all.

The difference with this move is for the very first time, we're using the service of a door-to-door pet agent. For every single relocation in the past, I've personally handled all related paperwork, from the vaccinations to the relevant country's import and export documents, using agents only for certain route of the journey. The reason why we used PetRelocation.com this time was due to the trauma my husband and I experienced at Los Angeles airport when we had to fly with the doggies from Bangladesh to Costa Rica.

We were patting each other on the back after our first two flights went without a hitch, from Bangladesh to Hong Kong (overnight to rest the doggies), and then from Hong Kong to Los Angeles. During our last leg from Los Angeles to Costa Rica whilst we were on board, no one would tell us if our doggies were in the hold! After threatening to walk out of the plane, they finally told us that the doggies are still on the ground and have not been loaded due to missing paperwork! The airline then had to reopen the cabin door, remove our luggage and we then made a few frantic calls to try and retrieve our doggies from the cargo building. This all happened at 2 a.m. at the Los Angeles airport, us standing at the airport with two large dogs and crates, four suitcases, no taxis and no one in sight! To cut the long story short, after finding a taxi kind enough to accept the doggies we then hopped from hotel to hotel to search for a pet-friendly hotel. The following day was equally stressful because then we had to rebook all our flights and cargo space for the girls!

When we heard we were relocating to UK and knowing the quarantine laws have changed effective Jan 1, 2012, we both decided that we definitely cannot afford to have a repeat of our last experience and we wanted to make sure that everything goes smoothly this time. Not even the snow at Heathrow airport posed a problem....just unbelievable!

The girls went on their first walk in the woods today. We're introducing them to their walks slowly to acclimate them to the freezing weather in UK now. How I wished I could've read their mind when they saw snow since the last time they saw snow was almost 10 years ago in Turkey.

Everyone involved from Costa Rica to Houston to London were wonderfully attentive and professional. It makes such a huge difference not to worry about the "what ifs"! We'd like to thank Andreas and Dr Jose in Costa Rica and Jayne in London, and last but not least dear Ashley and Sarah. Your prompt replies by email and more importantly how you never hesitated to pick up the phone to call really makes all the difference. Thank you for bringing our girls home safe and sound.

Name: Linda
Company: US Department of State
Pets' Names: Snowy and Sheila
From: Arlington, Virginia
To: Hong Kong



My name is Linda and I am a traveling spouse with the US State Department. We are a traveling family and we take our senior dogs, Snowy (13) and Sheila (14), everywhere we go - no matter the country. I am fully aware of the details of shipping our pets, as I had prepared all the paperwork, vaccinations, etc. for shipping, as excess baggage, our two large dogs to Chennai, India and back.

However our next post, Hong Kong, proved to be more than I could handle alone. The regulations are much stricter and our dogs would have to be cargo shipped -- something I was not prepared to handle by myself. I had read information from other people, blogs and ex-pat communities and all of them advised using a pet shipping company.

I chose PetRelocation.com and I must say it was a great choice! I worked with Jon, who informed me every step of the way of all the details, vaccinations, paperwork and items I had to prepare. He calmed my nerves when at the last moment our chosen airline decided to cease processing pets on the weekends. He rejoiced with me when the airlines said yes to arranging a shot of insulin for my diabetic dog, Snowy, on the Frankfurt stopover. He was thorough and informative and did not seem to mind my long emails and phone calls with many many questions.

Yes, pet shipping can be expensive, but just look at all the information that must be acquired, the phone calls, agents to arrange, pet pick up, pet drop off, USDA certifications, etc... PetRelocation.com agents are pros at all of this, and it was wonderful! I highly recommend them!

We are now in Hong Kong (see picture) and Sheila loves looking out at the city, while Snowy just sleeps the day away. Thanks again, PetRelocation.com, for all your help. You made a difficult task easy!!!

Name: Jason
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Schnauzer
From: Shanghai, China
To: Auckland, New Zealand


Hi,

I am hoping to move to New Zealand later this year, but I understand that New Zealand does not allow direct import of dogs from China at all, and that my dog would have to go to an approved country, like Hong Kong, for six months beforehand. Our dog has rabies jabs.

Can you confirm the situation with exporting a dog from China to NZ?

Regards,
Jason



Hi Jason,

Thanks for contacting you with your question! According to the official New Zealand Pet Import Requirements, you cannot bring your dog directly from China. Take a look at the full list of rules and requirements on their official site, and then please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions (we also outlined a few New Zealand import changes on our blog yesterday).

PetRelocation.com has helped to arrange many moves similar to this one, and we'd be happy to advise you. Good luck, and hope to hear from you soon!

Hi April,

First of all, congrats on the new (future) puppy! It's definitely a smart idea to start planning your travels well in advance, and we're happy to help. These are the pet import requirements for Hong Kong, and for your return trip, the pet import requirements for Canada. As you can see there are a few documents, vaccines, etc. to take care of.

It's important to talk to your vet about flying your puppy, as well, but generally we recommend that you wait until dogs are at least four months old. At this point they can be vaccinated against rabies and are also physically better equipped to withstand the rigors of travel.

Please contact us if you have any questions, read more about Hong Kong pet travel on our blog, and fill out our free quote form if you're interested in hiring us to help with your move.

Good luck, and we hope to hear from you soon!

As pet travel becomes more popular and corporate relocations make international moving more commonplace, it's helpful to stop and take a look at particular countries and their import requirements from time to time. We recently took a behind-the-scenes look at what it's like to export pets from Hong Kong, and today we're focusing on another popular Asian destination.

One of our Pet Relocation Specialists recently visited Sri Lanka, and while he was there took a look around a pet service provider called Pet Vet. Located in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, Pet Vet provides pet export services, they build custom pet travel crates, and they also house rescue dogs. Check it out:


Thanks to Mike for documenting this trip and to Rasha, a Pet Vet vet tech, for showing Mike around. It definitely makes it easier to feel comfortable with relocating pets when you can see some of the faces and facilities for yourself!

Find out more about pet travel to Sri Lanka on our website, and be sure to share your own Sri Lanka travel tips with us here or on Facebook.

The 2011 IPATA Conference offered a great chance for Cara and Matt, two of our senior PetRelocation.com employees, to meet other pet shipping pros, brush up on the latest industry trends, and get some hands on experience, as well (check out Kika's Hong Kong/China border crossing story). They even got to host a pet party at Pet World for some of our past and present clients, and overall found Hong Kong to be a welcoming and enriching place.

Here's a little more about the conference itself, as recounted by Matt, our Director of Customer Relations:

This year’s IPATA conference in Hong Kong was a great treat for all involved, and an invaluable way to meet new faces, visit old friends, and gain further insight into all manner of current and future trends in the pet relocation industry.


The conference proper was spread over four days, November 5th-8th, and included various workshops, guest speakers, awards ceremonies, and a silent auction.  Some of the more interesting topics covered:

•    AIRLINES AND PROFESSIONAL PET SHIPPERS:  WORKING MORE CLOSELY TOGETHER

•    ADVANCED HANDLING OF AGGRESSIVE DOGS

•    UK PET TRAVEL SCHEME CHANGES FOR 2012

•    TRAINING WORKSHOPS FOR HONG KONG, KOREA, JAPAN, VIETNAM, CHINA, MONGOLIA, INDIA, SRI LANKA, THAILAND, AND INDONESIA

This year’s conference was particularly unique, as it was one of the first to be hosted in Asia.  In previous years, the vast majority of conferences have been held in either North America or Europe, which has prevented a good portion of our friends in the East from attending.  This year, however, we were able to finally put faces to the friendly voices we have worked with continuously over the years.

It was a tremendous learning experience for every member fortunate enough to attend, and a further reminder that IPATA is one of the most dedicated group of pet lovers the world over!

-Two of our senior employees recently visited Hong Kong for the 2011 IPATA Conference. Read about their adventures moving a dog to mainland China and about the fun pet party they had at Pet World.

-A stolen dog is found and returned to his family after five years.

-Pet obesity: stats and information.

-Hometown pride! Austin Pets Alive! won the ASPCA $100K Challenge, so they'll be able to help many more pets find homes.

-Here are a few fun pet products from Dogster that'll come in handy for any upcoming holiday pet travel you may be planning.

-It's true, PetRelocation.com played a role in the Beagle Freedom Project efforts you've been hearing about. Check out the video if you haven't seen it yet!

Name: Marietta
Pets' Names: Bandit & Princess
From: Huizhou, China
To: Kentucky

PetRelocation.com moved Princess and Bandit to China and moved them back to Kentucky just last week. Both times, working with their agents has been the most smooth part of our move. I was more calm coming home because I have been through it before, but Christina, our agent, made sure I didn't worry any more than necessary. She sent pictures in Hong Kong and again when they arrived in Chicago.

When you have these guys handling your furry babies, you feel like they have a nanny all the way to their destination. The entire operation is first class, from the driver that picks them up to the driver that brings them to your new home.

There are no concerns or even suggestions for improvement. Every person I have spoken to during the travel separation leaves you feeling calm and comfortable before hanging up. The phone calls to my family member at home to update on how Princess and Bandit were doing was impressive.

You never feel out of reach or control of your babies when PetRelocation.com is moving them. They treat the entire process like they are moving their own pet.

Yesterday we told you about Kika, a 150 lb Newfoundland traveling from Hong Kong to mainland China. When we left off, her paperwork had been inspected, she had passed a physical exam, and she was headed to the airport. Kika's journey isn't over yet, though! Read on to find out about the rest of her pet travel adventure.



Once customs was cleared, it was time to head to Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport for Kika’s flight to Shanghai.  The airport was about 45 minutes from the border, and our furry passenger did great on the ride over.  First stop, the cargo terminal.



The initial step in tendering any pet is the weigh-in and preparation of the flight documents.

Name: Elizabeth
Number of Pets: One
Pet Type: Puppy
Pet Breed: Lagatto Romagnolo
From: NSW Australia
To: Hong Kong



What is the minimum age for a puppy to travel by air?



Hi Elizabeth,

Thanks for submitting a question to us. It's the policy of our company to relocate puppies only when they've reached the age of four months. At this point they're old enough to get a rabies vaccine and are much stronger and better able to withstand traveling.

Please contact us if you have any more questions about moving pets, and good luck with all future traveling!

Say hello to Sawyer, a two-year-old English Springer Spaniel and our choice for Pet Move of the Month! Sawyer recently moved from New York to Hong Kong, and since a relocation like this can be pretty tricky (also Sawyer's parents were busy planning their wedding), they decided to let Pet Relocation Specialist Christina handle the details.

Find out more about the move in our interview with Sawyer's owner, and join us in wishing them good luck in their new home!




What were some of your concerns going into the move?

We were concerned about everything. Moving a dog to Hong Kong is no small feat, and we were particularly concerned simply because it was our first time moving a dog and we had no idea what to expect. PetRelocation.com made the process so easy and it was very reassuring to work with a firm that so clearly understood the process and was in control of all the many small details go into moving a pet.



Did anything surprise you about the international pet moving process?

Frankly, at the end of the day I was surprised at how easy the whole move was for Sawyer. Obviously, a move to Hong Kong is going to be hard on a dog no matter what, but I think the process was made as easy and fluid as it could be. Sawyer emerged from his travel crate 24 hours after going in it just the same happy dog that he always is. A bit thirsty, but that was really it. We noticed no behavioral changes or issues at all. He was just the same happy, loving dog.



How is Sawyer adjusting to the new location?

He has adjusted seamlessly, which is such a relief to his parents. We were worried before this move that it would somehow affect his personality or demeanor, but we have seen no evidence of that. He seems completely nonplussed about the entire experience!



What is life like in Hong Kong? Is it a pet-friendly place to be? 

Life with a dog in Hong Kong is definitely more challenging than it is in US cities. Dogs are just not as common here, particularly medium or large-sized dogs (there seem to be lots of small and toy-sized dogs). However, we have found that there are great vet services, including a mobile vet service that comes to you. We actually had to take Sawyer to the vet a couple of days after he arrived in Hong Kong as he had a small sore on his back. The vet experience was excellent and just the caliber of veterinary service that we would receive in the US. We also found a wonderful dog park in Sheung Wan that is on the waterfront near the ferry terminal. It is a large dog park (at least compared to NYC standards that we are used to) and is a very well-kept grass lawn. Sawyer has had great fun playing with all the other dogs in that dog park.



What advice do you have for people who might be planning a move?

Use a pet relocation service! There are so many small intricacies to the process that you really need a professional who is trained to handle these types of complicated international moves. You want the process to be as easy as possible for your pet, and in order to ensure that is the case, you need to use a service. We could not more highly recommend PetRelocation.com.

Most of the pets moved by PetRelocation.com are "traditional" ones like dogs and cats. Every once in a while, though, we relocate a bird, a horse or a snake, and lately we've worked with a couple of chinchillas, as well.

Beyond the obvious fact that they're pretty dang cute, most of us don't know much about these furry little guys. As we've gotten to know them better lately we've learned a few things, however:

-Chinchillas are from the rodent family and originate in the Andes region of South America, and over the last few years have grown more popular as pets.

-They require exercise and chew toys, and in fact need to gnaw on a regular basis so their teeth are kept to a comfortable length.

-Chinchillas need (and like) to clean themselves by taking dust baths; water isn't good for their thick coats, and dust works well to absorb oil and dirt. In the wild they find dust from fine ground volcanic rocks, and in captivity they should be provided with the chance to take dust baths regularly (check out the video below to see a bathing chinchilla in action).




-Chinchillas are actually hypo-allergenic, making them popular pets for people sensitive to the dander of other animals.

-Because they have sensitive digestive systems, it's important to keep chinchillas on careful diets. Fresh fruits and veggies should be avoided, for example.


In terms of traveling with chinchillas, there are a few things to keep in mind. As always, it's important to research the country to which you're traveling well in advance of departure to find out about any specific rules and regulations.

Many countries require a document issued by a government authority certifying that the chinchilla is captive-bred. We recently moved Norvay (see the cutie below below) to Hong Kong, and that's how he was able to be imported. It's also very important that chinchillas are housed in a travel crate that's both safe and airline-approved. Contact us for more chinchilla travel tips, and be sure to share your own stories if you have them!

Sabah and Sarawak are two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. Brunei and Indonesia are also located on Borneo, and since these states have different import requirements from the rest of Malaysia, pet travel here can be a confusing issue to sort out.

PetRelocation.com recently moved some clients here, so we learned all about the do's and don'ts of importing pets to Sabah and Sarawak. Here is what we found.

First of all, be aware that Malaysia is not particularly pet-friendly, and local authorities may have regulations regarding the number of dogs that can be kept within residences.

The import requirements for Sarawak and Sabah can be broken into two categories:

Category 1
(United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, Brunei and Singapore)

When importing pets from one of these countries, an import permit and a health certificate issued within seven days of departure will be necessary. The certificate must be issued by an approved veterinary authority and state that:

1. No case of rabies has been reported to have occurred in the country during the previous six months.

2. The pet has been in the country for at least six months.

3. The pet has been examined and found to be healthy and free from any clinical sign of infectious or contagious disease at the time of examination and certification prior to export.

Category 2
(All other countries not listed above)

When importing pets from a country not listed above, an import permit and a health certificate issued within seven days of departure will be necessary. The certificate must be issued by an approved veterinary authority and state that:

1. The pet has been examined and found to be healthy and free from any clinical sign of rabies and infectious or contagious diseases at the time of examination and certification prior to export.

2. The pet has been vaccinated against rabies using an approved anti-rabies vaccine prior to export at least six months prior to export and less than one year.

3. The vaccination history, treatments given and health status must all be certified.

4. A rabies serology report showing rabies antibodies of more than 0.5 iu/ml.


Quarantine

Upon arrival from a Category 2 country, the animal will be placed in quarantine for a minimum of 30 days or a maximum of 180 days. The exact quarantine period is 180 days minus the number of days from the date of the last vaccination. (This is similar to Australia's current quarantine policy). As long as the rabies vaccine is more than six months and less than one year old, the quarantine period is 30 days.

According to the information we found, the available quarantine facilities are located about ten minutes away from Piasau Camp and Lutong. Twice-daily visits can be arranged (weekend visits may be difficult to manage), and the cost is low -- a few Malaysian dollars a day.

Estimated quarantine fees:
Dogs: Large - RM 5.00, Small - RM 3.00
Cats: All Sizes-  RM 3.00
Quarantine Certificate: RM 2.00


Banned Breeds

Pitt Bulls (including American Pitt Bull Terriers), American Staffordshire Terriers, American Bull dogs and mixes, Akitas, Neopolitan Mastiffs, Tosas, Dogo Argentines, Fila Brasileiros, Boerboels, Perro de Presa Canarios and mixes.


Routes/Airlines

If a pet requires quarantine they must fly into Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Penang or Padang Besar where the quarantine facilities are located. It's recommended that pets fly with KLM (via Amsterdam) or Lufthansa (via Frankfurt) into Kuala Lumpur. Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong) or Malaysia out of LAX with a stop in Taipei are two other possibilities.

In preparation for pet travel to Sabah and Sarawak, it's also necessary to secure a microchip, approved travel crate, Rabies Titer Test and other necessary vaccines depending on the breed.



This information provides a good start, but there are more details involved with travel to Sabah and Sarawak. Please contact your pet relocation specialist with any further questions or concerns, and feel free to leave your Malaysia travel tips in the comments below.