Pet Travel to Japan

 

The following post was written by Pet Relocation Specialist Sarah Smith. Find out what she had to say about a recent (and pretty complicated) pet move to Papua New Guinea.

Papua New Guinea is an island off the Northern coast of Australia. It is culturally diverse, and over 850 languages are spoken here. With most residents making less than $1.25 US per day, it’s hardly a place I thought I would be sending any expats and their pets, but this is exactly what happened!

Sophie, a Dachshund from Dallas, needed to be reunited with her mom in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. First we thought about going through Hawaii or Japan (as there are no direct flights from the US mainland).  After some routing trials, I decided that going through Australia was the only safe option for little Sophie.

 

 

Sure, we could have gone through Japan for fewer costs, but the airline in question could not guarantee where Sophie would be kept during the 12-hour layover. If you’re anything like Sophie’s mom (or me!) this is unacceptable. We pride ourselves on knowing where your pet is every step of the way, and the uncertainty involved in this possibility simply wasn’t an option...  So Australia it was!

Australia happens to be one of the most challenging countries to import animals into, and if we were going to transit through Australia, we were going to have to meet the majority of the rules. Luckily Sophie’s mom had already planned ahead and kept Sophie up to date on vaccinations, and she even had her blood drawn for the mandatory rabies antibody test so we were ahead of the game. A canine influenza vaccine would complete the process for import into Australia.

Papua New Guinea was a different story. We needed an import permit and a Hendra test upon arrival in Australia. Hendra is a disease not worried about elsewhere in the world, but is apparently prevalent in one small area in Australia. Therefore, any animal touching down in Australia would need to be tested for Hendra.

This is a lengthy process, so I had to arrange for Sophie to stay in quarantine upon arrival in Australia for two weeks while we got the test done and the results back. This process would take a week except for the following: animals have to arrive into Australia from the US on a Thursday or a Friday, the Hendra test is only carried out on Tuesdays and Fridays, and the results arrive on Tuesdays. So, Sophie arrived into Sydney on a Friday and had her blood tested on Tuesday. The results arrived the following Tuesday, but of course the only flights from Sydney to Papua New Guinea are on Mondays and Saturdays.  But, Papua New Guinea requires animals to arrive on a Monday or Tuesday, so we couldn’t take the Saturday flight. Are you confused yet? Imagine how I felt!

 

So Sophie arrived that Friday, had her blood drawn on Tuesday, got the results back the following Tuesday, and couldn’t leave Australia until the following Monday. Luckily, Sydney’s Eastern Creek Quarantine facilities are top notch and were very communicative throughout the process, and Sophie’s mom was very understanding.

Did I mention calling Papua New Guinea or receiving a call is effective about 4% of the time, and they are exact opposites from us in terms of time? So phone call efforts were futile.  All communication had to be done by email.

Sophie finally arrive in Port Moresby safely, cleared customs, and was taken to quarantine for two days. After quarantine was complete, my agent was able to deliver Sophie to her new home (Papua New Guinea doesn’t really have street addresses, so this also proved difficult).  In all, Sophie was treated kindly, traveled safely, and is probably excited to not see an airplane for a while. After all, she was on four different planes to get to her mom.

A few things to keep in mind if you’re moving your pets to Papua New Guinea:

• Get help. You WON’T be able to do this on your own!

• Bear in mind the time differences and communication challenges.

• Save money! Papua New Guinea -- because of the routing -- is probably the most expensive place in the world I’ve moved a pet so far.

• Be patient: this process can take three weeks, just for the travel alone, not even including the preparation.

•  Be flexible: some areas of the world are quite simple and streamlined, and others are not. I received several emails from the Chief Veterinary Officer of Papua New Guinea from a Gmail account. Some things are going to change when you least expect it so know that as the professionals, we’ll handle it!

• Trust PetRelocation.com because we know how to do it safely!

 

 

Another week, another batch of pet news headlines to entertain and inform us. Enjoy these, and have a great weekend, everyone!


Many of us choose to adopt and rescue pets instead of buying them from a breeder, but the process of being approved can be surprisingly difficult.

Almost a year after the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, these pet rescuers are working to help the animals left behind. (Don't miss the last few interactive slides - via The Atlantic).

If you care about THIS sort of thing: William and Kate have adopted a new dog.

Ummm, yeah. This bunny thinks it's a sheepdog.

Also: a surfing goat.

Have a political pal? Check out Pet Lovers for Obama.

Are you on Pinterest? Join us!

Enjoy the top pet news links of the week before heading off into the weekend!

This survey finds that family members often fight about issues relating to their dogs. Do travel arrangements, feeding decisions and the ever-import couch question raise ire between you and your housemates?

Pet import requirements for Australia will change March 1, 2012: dogs from most countries will now need a Bordetella vaccine.

Meet Lucy, the world's smallest working dog.

In post-tsunami Japan, people find comfort in the company of animals at places like the Calico Cat Cafe.

Would you ever consider bringing your pet on a ferry?

Animal shelters aiming higher than no-kill.

Dogs and deployment -- helping military families with pets.

An ex-NFL player is getting in on the pet industry by opening up a doggie daycare and boarding facility.

Yup, it's January alright. Here are some winter weather pet safety tips.

Name: K.
Number of Pets: 2
Pet Type: Rat
Pet Breed: Dumbo Rat
From: Japan
To: Maryland (though Washington, Dulles airport)

I am leaving Japan in the summer (expecting to leave in the last week of July) and want to take my two fancy rats home to the US with me. I have contacted the CDC in both countries and they have said there are no specific regulations for pet rats, however I am having a difficult time just getting a list together of everything that I am going to need at the airport. As time starts to run out I am getting very stressed that there will be some sort of last minute thing that I forget!

Also, as I have never shipped a pet before, I am a little confused about how the whole process works. Do I just walk in the airport with the carrier and hand them over when I check my bags? I worry that with the stigma most people have of rats that they won't be treated as well as a larger companion animal would, but I haven't been able to find any airline that will let me take them as carry on (I'd even be willing to buy a second seat!).

I guess what I am asking is just for some idea of what to expect and what forms/ vet information I will need to have for them. Using a service such as your own also isn't out of the question. More than cost, I am just concerned about my (clearly very spoiled) rats getting home safely.

Thank you so much for your informative site. Any information that you can give me will be most appreciated.

Thanks,
K



Hello,

Thanks for your question about traveling with your rats; your concerns are certainly understandable! First of all, you're right that it's important to start the process early in order to avoid being surprised about anything.

Here is some information from our site about obtaining customized rodent crates as well as how to travel with an exotic pet, and we also recommend contacting your airline directly in order to find out about their most up-to-date regulations. The good news is that the United States allows rats to be imported without much fanfare (here's a document from the Official U.S. Customs and Border Protection site that may be helpful).

Hopefully this information is helpful to you, and please let us know if you have any more questions or if you'd like a free quote for our services. Good luck with the move!

UPDATE: These rules were originally scheduled to change this month, but will now take effect next year. Also, it was originally stated that the titer test should be done between 90 days and 24 months before the date of departure, but the time frame has now been specified to be between 30 days and 24 months.

Nothing stays the same for too long in the world of pet travel. For example, beginning December 1, 2012, a titer test will now be required when bringing pets to Korea. This is important information to keep in mind if you're planning a trip, as the test must be done at least a month before the time of departure.

Here is what else you should know:


New Korea Import Rules

The new rules apply to all countries other than the following rabies-free countries:

Japan, Taiwan, Cyprus, Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, Iceland, Guam, Hawaii, Samoa, Cayman Islands, French Polynesia, Martinique, Department of Reunion, Wallis and Futuna, Albania, Dominica Republic, Macedonia, Lichtenstein, Malaysia, Switzerland

It's also necessary to have:

-An ISO compatible Microchip.

-A Rabies vaccine that is valid at the time of import and older than 30 days.

-A rabies antibody titer test completed at an internationally approved laboratory, and the test must be older than three months but less than two years. The result must be 0.5 IU/ml or greater.

-The above information must be written on a health certificate, and the validity is determined by the country of export and/or airline.

(This information comes from the National Veterinary Research & Quarantine Service (NVRQS).)


Other Travel Considerations

Although not required, PetRelocation.com strongly recommends the following vaccines:

-For dogs: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, and Bordetella vaccines

-For cats: Feline Cat Flu-Feline Calicivirus, Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Feline Enteritis- Feline Panleukopaenia/Feline Parvovirus



Contact PetRelocation.com with any questions about moving pets to Korea (or anywhere else, for that matter). Happy traveling, everyone!

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!

Name: David
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Great Dane
From: Florida
To: Either England or Japan

I may be assigned overseas and wanted to see how to go about getting my Great Dane overseas with me. He is a year old and weighs 150 Lbs.

Thanks,
David



Hi David,

Thanks for contacting us with your question. First, here is some general information about moving large dogs. You'll probably need to acquire a custom crate for your Great Dane, and it's important to check with your airline ahead of time to make sure the crate will be able to fit onto the airplane.

Here are the pet import requirements for Japan and the pet import requirements for the UK (which are scheduled to change Jan. 1, 2012, by the way). Let us know if you have any questions about these regulations, and please visit our site if you'd like a free quote for our services.

Good luck with your travels!

Name: Sarah
Number of Pets: 2
Pet Type: Rats
Pet Breed: Fancy Rats
From: United States
To: Japan

Is it possible to move my rats with me to Japan? If so, what sort of documentation do I need? How long will the process take for me to get them ready to move?

Thanks,
Sarah



Hi Sarah,


Thank you for contacting us with your question! Japan has specific pet import requirements applicable to a variety of situations, and your best bet is to take a look the official website.

Here's a link to the Japan Animal Quarantine Service, where the rules for importing rats are discussed.

Good luck with your trip, and please let us know if you have more questions or would like a free quote!

Name: Barbara
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Cat
Pet Breed: Domestic
From: USA
To: Jakarta, Indonesia

My flight is on United from Dulles to Bangkok and then on Thai Airways to Jakarta. I have all the info to make the flight except one thing. There is one stop on United at Narita for two hours where we change planes but keep the same United flight number. We will stay within the secure space. Do I need to meet the Japan requirements, since I am not staying in Japan? I will carry the pet cat in the cabin on the entire trip.

Thanks,
Barbara


Hi Barbara,

Thanks for your question! When transiting through an airport it's generally unnecessary to heed the pet import requirements for that country. It might be a good idea to double check with your airline to see what they say about layover procedures with pets, but most likely all you need to focus on are the pet import requirements for Indonesia.

Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns, and happy traveling!

It's Friday! Check out the pet news of the week as you prepare for what'll hopefully be a fun, safe and happy weekend.

-If you have a pet you know how it is -- they have a magical way of absorbing the stress in a room and they bring laughter to life without even trying. A Doctor in psychology further explores this phenomenon and also asks, is your pet the emotional "third" in your relationship?

-Sometimes pet travel isn't as structured as it should be. Find out what happened when a snake ended up taking a solo train ride in Japan.

-This story began as a heartbreaker but seems to have a happy ending - a kitten was tossed out a car window on a NYC bridge this week but managed to remain unharmed when an animal control officer spotted the cat and picked him up. The kitty is now doing well in foster care.

-In more strange NYC news, a West Village pet store recently placed restrictions on who is allowed to take pets home after a few incidents involving drunk puppy buying.

-Many people are surprised to find out how much it costs to ship a pet. Here's a breakdown of what's involved with moving a pet safely.

-In case you missed it, here's the story of an Indonesian monkey who snatched a wildlife photographer's camera and proceeded to take a series of self-portraits. Sure, it's not really "pet news," but nothing says Happy Friday like a smiling monkey face!

-Finally, we announced our Pet Move of the Month this week; Kratos the English Bulldog moved from California to Italy in order to join his loving owner Shaun, a member of the US Navy. The picture of their reunion (below) illustrates one of our favorite parts about moving pets!

Name: Edna
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Long-Haired Daschund
From: Tokyo, Japan (Itabashi-ku)
To: Noveleta, Philippines

How can I ship my pet in the most economical, safe, fast and convenient way?

Thank you,
Edna


Hi Edna,

Your question certainly touches on all the most important elements of a great pet move, and we'd love to help you achieve these goals. First, here are the pet import requirements for the Philippines. You'll need to obtain a few vaccines and a microchip, and to streamline the process we suggest getting started well in advance of your move. As always, we always recommend choosing a pet-friendly airline, as well.

Give us a call if you have any particular questions or if you'd like some help. It's less expensive to handle everything yourself (check our site for information about how to do this), but we're happy to take over the door-to-door details of your move if you find that you'd rather not tackle it yourself. Good luck!

What did the headlines reveal this week? Take a look, and have a happy weekend everyone!

-It's more than a passing trend: keeping chickens within city limits is an activity more and more urbanites are embracing. Wanting access to fresh eggs and having a fun project to work on are understandable, but now some folks are beginning to treat their chicks as little pets -- allowing them indoor access and letting them spend time with the family. Read more about the upward trajectory of the urban chicken.

-Keeping track of the situation in Japan, this week's pet news is again alternately uplifting and heartbreaking. A few brave and driven individuals have traveled to radiation-affected areas to save the pets left behind, and they've managed to rescue dozens of animals so far. View pictures and read more about Japan's lost pets.

-Fifty animal shelters from around the country will have the chance to compete in the ASPCA $110K Challenge. Check out the list and cast your vote for a shelter that means something to you (we chose Austin Pet Alive!). Today's the last day to participate, so get going!

-Adopting a pet is a big deal, but if you've been wanting to do it for awhile, now might be the time! Various adoption events are going on during the month of April, along with various charity drives and a tri-city dog PetWalk organized by PetSmart Charities. See if anything is happening in your area!

We've reached the end of the work week once again! Hopefully you all have a fun weekend ahead, but before you go, catch up with the top pet travel news stories.

-The summer pet travel season will soon be here (have you taken our survey yet?), and it's important to remember the restrictions you may encounter. Air travel becomes a more delicate process when the temperatures rise, so always be sure to check with your airline regarding their particular policies. For example, be aware that Delta restricts summer pet travel and has banned the transport of all bulldogs year-round due the breed's sensitivity and possible breathing issues.

-It's a question that employees of PetRelocation.com often encounter -- "what exactly do you do?" Well, if you're curious about what it takes to be a Pet Relocation Specialist, take a look at this firsthand account from one of our new hires! Sarah learned a lot during her first couple of weeks here, and you can too.

-As recovery efforts continue in Japan, a few good souls continue to keep the lost and abandoned pets in mind. One Canadian woman is specifically traveling to the exclusion zone surrounding the Fukushima nuclear power plant in order to save as many animals as she can find. Find out more about her journey.

-We know that dogs are great at boosting our moods and relieving stress, and it turns out some service dogs are being trained to alleviate the devastating symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, as well. Read the incredible story of one combat veteran and his amazing dog.

Have a safe and happy weekend, everyone!

As usual, this was a busy week in the world of pet news. Catch up with the headlines, and have a wonderful Friday, everyone!

-Here's an update on pets in Japan -- including what life is like three weeks after the earthquake and how recovery efforts are taking pets into account.

-Have you ever consulted an animal behaviorist to deal with your pet's bad habits and anxiety? Many people have found this to be an expensive -- but helpful -- thing to do.

-Men's NCAA fans and four talented teams are getting ready to enjoy the season's final showdown, and most participants won't receive the same star treatment as Butler's mascot, a bulldog named Blue 2. This pup will fly to the game in a private jet, stay at a four-star hotel, and will even have his own security detail upon arrival.

-Southern California has a reputation for being pet-friendly, and San Diego resident Maggie Espinosa and her dog Marcel recently went about checking things out. Find out what this pet owner turned author learned during her pet travels.

-Before you know much about it, pet travel can seem overwhelming. Once you break it down into its individual parts, however, you'll see that it's possible to tackle it without losing your sanity. Here's a helpful article that takes a closer look at exactly what it takes to move a pet to Argentina.

-With more and more pets taking to the skies these days, it's good to know that airports are lifting their game as far as pet travel is concerned. Here's a closer look at how Boston Logan International Airport handles pets safely.

-Meet Travelin' Jack, a Bulldog with a blog and a love for adventure. He also has a new book on the shelves, whose proceeds will go to help a no-kill shelter in Jack's native New Mexico.

-We covered the topic of pet-friendly airports a few months ago and it continues to be a topic on our radar, so we were interested to run across Dog Jaunt's coverage of the Dallas airport pet areas. It's a must-read if you'll be traveling through here with a pet anytime soon.

Friday is finally here! Before your weekend gets going, take a minute to read the top pet and travel news stories of the last busy week.

-It's been documented that owning a pet can help relieve anxiety, thus it makes sense that Yale Law School has enlisted a pup named Monty to work as a therapy dog. Stressed students can check him out from the library for 30 minutes at a time.

-The string of recent earthquakes has not only inspired pet owners to formulate disaster plans to follow in case anything ever happens, it has directed government officials in North Korea to suggest that people actually use their pets as early warning systems. Animals often act strangely before extreme events occur, thus citizens have been advised to put their pets' sixth sense to good use.

-A Chinese coal baron recently purchased a Red Tibetan Mastiff for 10 million Chinese yuan (that's about $1.5 million). The 11-month-old dog has been named Big Splash, and he could grow to be over 200 lbs. In China, this breed of dog is regarded as lucky and religiously significant.

-In weirder news, an airplane that had just departed from Brisbane, Australia was forced to make an unscheduled landing when it was discovered that the cockpit was infested caterpillars. The plane was able to land safely, and it's uncertain how the little green hitchhikers made it on board.

-Finally, remember that the citizens of Japan -- and their pets -- are still coping with the catastrophe that happened two weeks ago. It's not too late to help out, and it's a smart idea to think about what you and your pets would do if faced with a natural disaster.


Have a great weekend, everyone!

In the wake of the Japan's recent disasters, many of us have tried to imagine what we would do if we were faced with a catastrophe in our area. It's a good idea to have a plan in place, and pet owners have even more to think about in terms of dealing with power outages, severe weather, forced evacuations or anything else that may occur.

Now is the time to formulate a plan, and several resources exist to point us in the right direction. For example, FEMA offers a few ideas regarding disaster preparedness for pet owners, and several bloggers have weighed in on the topic as well. Dr. Patrick Mahaney, a veterinarian and vet acupuncturist, has listed several pet emergency preparedness tips on his blog that makes everything a little easier to think about.

Here are a few basics to start with:

Identification. This is true all the time but it's especially important in the event of an emergency: make sure your pet is wearing ID tags, get a microchip and keep the information up to date, and carry a recent picture with you on your phone or in your wallet.

Shelter. If evacuation should be necessary, know where you'll take your pets. Shelters set up for people may not allow animals, so consider the possibilities ahead of time. Is your vet an option? What about the closest animal shelter or boarding facility?

Survival Supplies. It's a good idea to build an emergency kit for you and your family, and when you stock up with basic supplies (food, flashlight, bottled water, etc...), don't forget about pet food, medicine, and anything else your pet would need if you didn't have access to a store for a while.

Practice. Be sure your pet is comfortable following a safety plan. Going to the basement, staying in a travel crate for extended periods, and traveling in the car are all things your dog, cat, bird or other animal companion should be able to handle.

Observe. Outdoor conditions can cause an animal's behavior to change from calm and well-adjusted to anxious, uneasy and even aggressive, so exercise awareness and caution, set a calm example, and keep pets properly restrained to prevent them from running away.

As unpleasant as it may be to think about dealing with a dangerous and disastrous situation, the smart thing to do is to have a comprehensive plan in place. Wrapping your mind around the details now means that later, if the time comes, you'll know what to do and how to do it.

Have anything to add? Share your tips with us here or on our Facebook page, and don't forget that Japan could still use our help. Make a donation to the pets of Japan if you've yet to do so, and join us by keeping everyone in your thoughts.



Photo by NASA Goddard Photo and Video via Flickr

As Japan continues to deal with the effects of the recent earthquake and tsunami, many people have made the tough decision to leave. This choice is certainly stressful and relocating with pets can make things all the more complicated, so if you've decided to make a move it's important to educate yourself regarding up-to-date import requirements and travel tips.

Like Japan, Guam is rabies-free. This might make it a natural choice for Japanese citizens who want to return home at some point, as going to another rabies-free country will streamline the import process (Taiwan is also free of rabies). There are a few things to know before you go, however, so make sure you do your research.

Moving to Guam will require the following:

• An entry permit
• A microchip,
• Proof of vaccinations
• A health certificate 

It's important to have copies of all the necessary documents, and you'll need to make arrangements with a quarantine facility on the island in order to be cleared for entry. From the United States and many other countries the entry rules are very strict, but pets coming from Japan will most likely be eligible for a shorter quarantine.

Take a look at the complete pet import requirements for moving to Guam, and please contact PetRelocation.com if you'd like to speak to a Specialist in greater detail about this or any other pet travel issue.

Are you a citizen of Japan who has decided to relocate? Feel free to share your story with  us, and don't hesitate to let us know if you need a helping hand! Also, if you live in another part of the world and want to be a helping hand, there are plenty of ways to help the pets of Japan.

It's hard to think of anything other than Japan's struggle to recover from last Friday's disastrous events, and this week's news headlines certainly reflect the enormity and weight of the situation. Here's how pets and pet travel have been affected.

-It's been a few days since the earthquake and tsunami, and Japan still needs our help. Consider making a donation to an organization such as Doctors without Borders, and if you want to help an animal-related cause, you can assist groups that help displaced pets and rescue dog operations such as World Vets or the Search Dog Foundation.

-Rescue efforts were delayed when teams of rescue dogs were not able to immediately enter the country due to Japan's strict pet import requirements. Would you be ready to make a quick departure if necessary? Read the ASPCA's tips for disaster preparedness with a pet.

-The Kikuchi family barely made it to safety following Friday's quake and unfortunately had to leave their dogs behind. Amazingly Towa and Melody were found alive, and they're now doing their best to cope in the aftermath -- read the full story of the dogs' survival.

-What kind of pet owner are you? In this New York Times article, one doctor divides people into three different personality types and discusses the emotional and social components of having animals in our lives.

The devastating events of last Friday have left Japan struggling to cope with widespread devastation and unimaginable loss. The rest of the world has stepped up to offer help and the country is trying its best to deal with the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami, however a disaster of this magnitude means they face a long and complex road to recovery.

One such complication has arisen due to Japan's pet import laws. Because the country is somewhat strict when it comes to allowing animals onto the island, the transport of rescue dogs -- who may be able to help locate survivors -- has been delayed. So far dozens of dogs have arrived to help, but several teams from places like the United States and Switzerland are still waiting to enter the country and get to work.

Here's hoping that the logistics are sorted out soon, and in the meantime, remember that every little bit helps. In addition to donating to the Red Cross, you can also give assistance to animal-oriented organizations like World Pet and the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, groups that make a huge difference in the aftermath of catastrophes such as this.

We'll keep you updated regarding any pet travel news as it relates to Japan, and please join us in supporting recovery efforts for as long as help is needed.

Name: Lana
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Toy Poodle
From: Japan
To: Dubai


Good day. I need to move my dog from Japan to Dubai. Problem - I need to have my dog in the kennels/dog sitter from June (as my visa in Japan expires) and can only leave for Dubai around the middle August (when my new visa in Dubai begins). In that time my dog will need injections done, blood tests and all the papers to get her out of Japan and to Dubai. Could you please give me any advice? I cannot take her with me to South Africa as it has rabies. Please please help. Yours sincerely, -Lana


Hi Lana,

Thanks for submitting a question to us! To start, here are the pet import requirements for the United Arab Emirates. Once you know about these necessary steps, you can plan a schedule for your vet visits and vaccinations.

If you won't be with your dog during the weeks leading up to your trip and you don't have a friend or family member to assist you, you will need to enlist some hired help. Check with IPATA for more information, check your local listings for vet assistance, etc..., or contact us for more detailed advice. One of our Pet Relocation Specialists would be happy to help you plan your move.

Good luck with everything, Lana, and keep in touch!