Preparing to Bring Dogs and Cats into Singapore

Whether you’re planning a travel experience or you’re relocating for work, Singapore is a fantastic, vibrant destination with lots to see and do. But the whole thing wouldn’t be as special without your best friend in tow.

That’s why it’s so important to be able to relocate with your pet. Singapore does accept cats or dogs when you enter the country. However, there are set requirements before they’re given the option to enter and it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with these before you move so you can be confident that your furry friend can accompany you.

Your Veterinary Checks

Before you leave the country, your pet will need to have all the vaccinations required for Singapore. Your vet will be able to supply you with the confirmation that all vaccines have been taken and the correct dates. They must have had their vaccinations at least 1 month prior to travel.

They must also be fully wormed and have had a recent flea and tick treatment. Any signs of parasites on your pet will mean they need to stay at home.

Your pet may need to go for a serology test to determine the rabies antibody levels prior to travel. Rabies titre test is needed for pets coming from Category B – D countries, we will explain these categories later.

Your Breed

Certain breeds of dogs and cats are banned from Singapore, so it’s really worth checking the list before you decide to relocate.

Bengal and Savannah cats and crosses prior to the fourth generation are not allowed into Singapore at all, so any export licence will be declined.

They also have a ban on dog breeds that are considered dangerous, much like other countries. This means you won’t be able to move with your Pit Bull, Staffordshire Bull Terrier or American Bull Dog or related crosses.

There are also bans on Mastiffs and Akitas.

Certain larger dog breeds will be allowed into the country under restrictions. For example, Rottweilers Dobermans and German Shepherds are allowed if they undergo obedience tests upon arrival and are sterilised. They may also be asked to wear a muzzle when out in public.

Quarantine For Pets in Singapore

Singapore gives four different categories for Countries and their pets. Category A is Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland. Category B is Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, New Caledonia, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, The Netherlands, Switzerland, USA (Guam & Hawaii only).

Pets from categories A and B don’t need quarantine, but do have specific import requirements.

For category C, the countries are Canada, Cyprus, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Republic of Korea, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Taiwan, USA (Except Guam & Hawaii) and these generally have 10 days quarantine upon arrival (30 days if rabies vaccines done at some times).

Category D countries are all the rest, requiring 30 days quarantine upon arrival, and a minimum waiting period of six months from the first rabies vaccination. So, if you come from USA, it’s likely that your pet will need to be quarantined when they first enter Singapore. This is to ensure that your pet isn’t bringing in any diseases that may affect other animals in the country.

If you know your pet needs to quarantine, you must book a space in a quarantine facility at least 3 months in advance of your travel to guarantee a space.

Your pet will normally need to stay in a quarantine facility for at least 10 days after landing in Singapore. If you’re coming from a country in categories C or D on the region rabies risk scale, then you may need to wait a little longer than this.

The facilities have various kennels sizes, exercise spaces and bathing areas to ensure you pet comes out in good shape and they also have visiting times so you can visit daily for the 10 days after the day of landing to give you peace of mind.

You Can arrange a space in a quarantine facility managed by AQC online on the Quarantine Management System (QMS).

Typically, you’ll be charged S$74 per trip for your dog or cat to and from the facility (they will normally offer to transport your pet to your new home). You may also need to pay fees for different standards of accommodation. Some will be standard, non-air-conditioned kennels, while others will be luxury and come at a higher price.

Does Your Residence Allow Pets?

As with other countries, it’s typically down to the landlord when it comes to whether your accommodation allows pets or not.

Singapore is largely made up of HDB flats (essentially public housing) and private owned flats. If you’re travelling to live in a HDB initially, you should check with your landlord if you’re allowed to bring over your pet. Large dogs are often not allowed and there are also restrictions on the number of small dogs, usually only allowing one small dog or one cat.

It’s also worth considering how much exercise your pet needs. If you only have a tiny flat, then this may not be suitable for a dog. You should arrange your residence months before you actually move to ensure you find somewhere that allows pets and is adequate for their needs.

Licencing Your Pet for Entrance into Singapore

Importing a dog into Singapore means that you must obtain a dog licence. This allows you to own a dog in Singapore. The licences are charged depending on how long you intend to stay in Singapore.

• S$15 for 1 year
• S$25 for 2 years
• S$35 for 3 years or more.

The price is actually 6 times as much if you dog enters Singapore unsterilised. This is to incentivise the sterilisation of dogs and reduce the problem of strays on the streets.

Once you‘ve got your dog licence, you then need to buy a separate import licence to physically move the dog (or cat).

You can purchase an import licence for S$50 online or S$100 for an express service if you leave it until the last minute. A standard S$50 payment will still get the licence delivered to you within 3 days, so there’s still plenty of time.

Also Read: Is pet travel more expensive at certain times of year?

Summary

Remember that moving you pet isn’t as easy as just grabbing a passport and Visa like humans do. You must prepare months ahead of time to ensure they have adequate accommodation when they get there, that they have everything that’s going to keep them healthy and that they’re safe and comfortable when travelling.

If you’re unsure what to look for first, it’s a good idea to speak to our specialist pet relocation service. Our team will have more knowledge and understanding of all the forms and documents that you’ll need and will have plenty of tips for keeping your pet calm and comfortable during their journey.

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