The nation has a list of pets that are allowed and a longer list of pets, especially dogs, that can’t be moved into the country. Confirm with the government’s list of pets before planning a move with your pet.
Read this blog for more information on pet-first relocation before moving to Singapore with your fur-kid. Also, don’t hire any cheap movers in SG, as you will be risking your pet’s health and the move logistics as well. Dive in for a complete guide.
Regulations For Pet Move-In Singapore
Firstly, for pet relocation, you need to understand the strict regulations governed by the “Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS)”. Here’s a list of the major requirements to meet-
Get your pet microchipped before the move. To be very accurate, an ISO-11784/11785 fifteen-digit chip. It should be implanted before any rabies injection.
Rabies Titer Test (RNATT) is a must. Various countries are divided into categories. So, this test is absolutely important for grade 3 & 4 countries.
All the rabies and booster vaccines are to be completed at least 30 days but not older than a period of one year.
Get an Animal & Veterinary Service permit for both cats and dogs. Dogs must have a local registration before applying for a permit.
A health certificate from a government vet from the country the pet is exported from should be issued within seven days of departure.
The travel compliances of the respective airline you are travelling in and quarantine compliances must be adhered to while on the move and post-move.
The regulations for pet movement in Singapore are a bit strict and cannot be overlooked. So these procedures may take you between four and six months to complete. Start planning early so you can meet all the requirements on time for the move.
When Is Pet Quarantine Needed?
Now, post-move quarantine for your pet for a period of at least thirty days is mandatory for pets from certain countries, especially category B/C. Otherwise, the reason for your pet to be quarantined is-
No rabies test done
If rabies tests are done for your pet over four months before the move, then they have to be kept in quarantine and go through the respective tests before they can be let out.
Non-extempted countries
If you are moving from a non-exempted country, i.e. a category B or C, then your pet must be quarantined as these countries are considered to be at a higher risk for rabies.
Issues during the move
If your pet gets sick during the move, then they’ll be kept in isolation to check their condition and receive treatment against internal and external parasites they might’ve contracted while on the move.
If you are aware that your pet will have to go through a quarantine period despite all the paperwork and adherence, book a space in advance. An isolation space can be booked at the “Sembawang Animal Quarantine Station (SAQS)” 2-3 months in advance.
Pet Checkup After The Move
Moreover, pets need to go through a health check after the move to attain the above-mentioned certificate. Other reasons for a post-move checkup are-
Pets who are released from quarantine go through a thorough checkup before they are released.
To apply for a mandatory registration or license for your pet, especially dogs. You can get assistance from pet-friendly house movers in Singapore to help you with the same.
Get them checked for vaccinations, if required, and for health updates after the move.
Often, pets feel uneasy and depressed after the move, or they require climate acclimation and care, so a health checkup is a great option to know about such conditions.
Your pet would need a veterinary health certificate supporting that they fulfil the health conditions suitable for import. It should clearly state that they are healthy and do not have any contagious or infectious disease at the time of export.
However, visiting a vet in Singapore can be affordable and expensive depending on the type of treatment your pet needs. For a regular health checkup, you may have to pay less, but additional treatments and vaccinations are expensive, so it’s between 40 and 120 SGD.
Familiarising Pets With A New Environment
Additionally, if you are moving your pet with a cheap mover in SG, then ensure that they are suitable for a move of such nature, i.e. if they offer pet-first move solutions. Most pets are sensitive to a move and feel low after the move, so get them to adjust this way-
Prepare a “safe room” for your pet to stay in after the move, as they might want to stay indoors and alone. Let them be.
Keep familiar smells from your old home. Keep such things in the “safety-room”, especially food and toys.
Do follow their routines as normal and immediately, especially if you have a cat, as it’ll help them feel comfortable with the move.
Secure the doors and windows to your home. A pet might want to escape, not often, but it's possible. Prevent this from happening.
Introduce the new rooms in your new home to them gradually, as they might feel scared in an unfamiliar space without familiar scents.
Start with daily/regular short walks and adjust the move timing for the walk accordingly so their body clock can sync in as well.
The moving process can be really challenging for your fur-baby, so don’t force them out if they want to be isolated and indoors. Let them have time to feel familiar with the new environment. Also, be patient with them and keep them fed & hydrated to help them through this transition.
To Sum Up
Moving to another country can be a greater challenge when done with your pets, and if you are moving to Singapore, you are in for a whole other life-changing experience. You will learn a lot about your pet, literally and their patience levels.
Just ensure that you hire pet-friendly professional house movers in Singapore to help ensure that your pet is moved easily and smoothly. So that they are not separated from you for a long time.
