Do your own pet relocation from US

[nn27]

What about stops through London or Dubai? The flights are a little longer that way. I have to plan a flight with my dog as well, and didn't realize that there were so many issues with stopping in Hong Kong (as that is a typical stopover from TO)...

the idea of someone destroying your pet for any reason is scary, even the AVA has this note on their Paperwork:

PENALTY
If any animal is not healthy or if any document is not in order or quarantine space is unavailable, the animal shall be returned to the country of export, detained for up to two weeks for observation prior to quarantine or destroyed at the discretion of the Director-General of Agri-Food and Veterinary Services. In addition the owner or his agent may be subjected to prosecution.

I hope that is just in extreme cases, that a little typo wouldn't mean that kind of penalty. Singapore seems quite reasonable and the quarantine is a very nice place, but traveling through Hong Kong or other area where language is a barrier, would be more than risky. I will have to plan my route accordingly. Thanks for the heads up!

[nassaugirl]

Hi,

I would just talk to Pet Movers in Canada. I did not have to get any special permission for my cat to transit through Amsterdam and besides the pet Moving Company are responsible for getting your cat's paperwork straight for him to leave the country (everything till they arrive here in Sing is taken care of and they arrive with a packet of paperwork, which goes to AVA and the customs folks). I did nothing more than make sure he had all his vaccinations in place. (I was told what to do).

You will however need to do your import permit and book your cat a quarantine space before the cat arrives (there is not always space available in the quarantine kennels. It was totally full when my cat arrived-he had a space booked though). If you hire a agent on this side, they will take care of all that for you as part of their fees.

[felicitywish]

Hi,

We moved from the UK to SG back in June, we got quotes via our relocation company like you from 7000USD high to 4000USD being the cheapest for 1 cat. My partners company being US based.

We went direct to the airport pet vet located at the airport (animal airlines LHR), it cost us less than US$1000 to bring her on the same flight, we collected her within the hour of us getting off the plane here in SG.
Of course you need all the paper work to be in place prior to coming. I can't see it being much diffrent from the USA so I would seek advise from your vet in the US and maybe contact the airport you are flying from direct. His comapny only paid half but its worth every penny having her here with us.

[cavalier]

I just returned to Singapore from the United States with my dog. I did everything myself so if anyone has any questions, please ask. Most of the process is straight forward but a little time consuming. I think the most confusing part was going from the airport to the temporary quarantine facility. The AVA instructions on this step were not accurate. For us, doing everything ourselves was worth the extra effort to save around US$3500.

Anyway, good luck to everyone else!

[Capex101]

Cavalier,

Sounds like everything worked out well for you. Glad to hear it. Did you go via Northwest? Our cats arrived yesterday, went to see them today and all were fine - grumpy I think - but fine.

For anyone wondering about the facility - it is really good. Seems well run, very clean, the folks there were all friendly and helpful, seemed to enjoy what they were doing and put me at ease in terms of the care the pets receive. We put all 3 of our cats in the same room - no discount but at least they have company. Saw a lot of other cats "sharing" rooms.

A few things I wish I had thought about;

1. Bring fresh pillows (for the cats to lay on) on your first visit. The ones used for transit will smell a bit.

2. Bring a toy or scratching post. Although the "rooms" have a big window for the cats to look out they seemed bored.

3. Visiting hours are 1600 to 1800 on weekdays. Don't bother going earlier - they seem to stick to the schedule.

4. If you have cats on a special diet (ours are - low alergy food) bring a ton of it with you. It is very expensive here - something like S$10 a pound!

[NewtoSing]

I just returned to Singapore from the United States with my dog. I did everything myself so if anyone has any questions, please ask. Most of the process is straight forward but a little time consuming. I think the most confusing part was going from the airport to the temporary quarantine facility. The AVA instructions on this step were not accurate. For us, doing everything ourselves was worth the extra effort to save around US$3500.

Anyway, good luck to everyone else!

Hi Cavalier,

Glad to hear that everything went well. We are just about to start. have to be in Singapore for the first week of Jan but the quaratine home does not have space. S Which airline did you use?

Thanks.

[cavalier]

Glad to hear everything went well. My dog was grumpy, too. She gave me the cold shoulder for a while. Yes, special diets seem to cost more here, in my case, about 25% more. $10/lb sounds crazy though.

I flew with KLM, with the dog treated as excess baggage. They had very good service in Amsterdam, but the people in JFK gave me bad information. They told me that the dog couldn't leave her kennel at all during the layover in Amsterdam. This was totally wrong information. Needless to say this caused some panic, and I had to talk with the folks in Amsterdam when I arrived. They fixed the situation quickly and transferred the dog to their pet hotel for the 10-hour layover where she was walked and fed.

Newtosing, sorry to hear that. I think right now you need to reserve a space a least a month in advance.

[Capex101]

Cavalier,

Hard to believe - but S$70 for 8 pounds of dry cat food. Between that and the cost of wine here I may have to renegotiate the whole deal....

I am going to wonder over to the dog area tomorrow - our two goldens will be here 12/29. Guess dog space is at a premium - there are quite a few open "cat rooms" at the facility.

And for everyone that is trying to decide to "DIY" or pay someone to handle your pets move, seems Cavalier had a good experience and saved quite a bit. For me, and just for info, I will spend roughly $12k for all 7. This is about $7k for transit and $5k for quarantine.

I think that Cavalier had it right - and that sending pets as excess baggage is really quite safe and airline and airport folks look after pets pretty well. But who knows the best way to go...

[tomcat1]

trying to get my cat from Florida to Sing
So far we've:
got our cat micro-chipped, shots,etc.
reserved a space at quarantne
started filling out the import permit


I've called airlines about the excess baggage thing but many were not too sure since I have connecting with other airlines.
also, I'm having a hard time with finding cargo carriers without having to hire a pet Mover which costs thousands more-and all they really do is drop the animal off with the proper paperwork.
Also the Hong Kong thing-do we really need to get an import permit just because we have a connecting flight there


I'd like to do the whole thing for around USD$1000.00 including quarantine
and that isnt including the vet visits which already cost me 250.00

EDIT: decided to ship through a separate airline. Hong Kong is just too weird. they require a transit permit-process takes 14 days. BUT they want a USDA stamp on it to apply and you cannot have the stamp more than 14 days prior to leaving.........PARADOX.
also they want you to send a check through a Hong Kong bank.

[Daniela Oliwkowicz]

Can any one give me information how to move a pet from florida to Singapore??
What Forms need to be filed out?

Thank You for the information

[FoolishBose]

Hey, just wanted to know if anyone had any luck with animals in transit through Incheon. I'm taking a cat as carry-on luggage on Korean Air and wanted to know whether I would have to do any crazy quarantine procedures if I was only transiting to another flight.

Thanks for your help!

[eduardomi]

Hello all,

I would like to bring this subject alive as many of us are now dealing with this process and would like to be as much informed as possible.

I have read almost every topic related to pet relocation to Singapore and I still have some questions that I hope someone can answer.

First, I will start by saying that I would be moving my pet from Los Angeles, Califonia. It is a 2 year persian cat and so far he's had all his vaccinations (Including rabies 2 months ago).

I am intending to move my cat to Singapore in May or June of this year (2010) and these are my questions:

- I will do EVERYTHING possible to fall under category C1, as it implies less quarantine days. However, this category requires an AVA APPROVED INACTIVATED VACCINE. Does anyone know what this means? Or where I can find a list of "approved" vaccines?

Also, C1 also requires that after the blood test (at least 1 month after the 1st vaccine) the animal should take YET ANOTHER rabies vaccination. The last time I was at the vet they told me that rabies vaccination should not be repeated. Does anyone have information on this? Has anyone done it? Vaccinate your pet against rabies twice?

Also, who can help me find or refer me to a "GOVERNMENT VETERINARIAN" ? It looks like I need him anyways, to endorse part 4 of the "Veterinarian Certificate to Import pets to Singapore".

How is the USDA involved in this? Do I need a permit from them to export the cat to Singapore? or is there any related paperwork I need to fill out with them?

One last question:

As we are doing all by ourselves (even if we want to, we cannot spend the money to pay an agent) who can help us with the shipping process of the pet? My wife is currently in LA so she can handle that part, and I am in Singapore so I can handle this end. But, for airline reservation is not like you purchase a ticket for yourself, how do you check-in or send an animal in the cargo area? I am actually looking at KLM as they have very good referral for pet handling but how do you actually book a place for your pet with them and how do you select the flight you want your pet to be on?

If you made this to this part, thanks for reading and if you have the info to answer these question is much more than appreciated.

Thank you all.

Best,

Ed.

[eduardomi]

Anyone?

Please help.

Thanks.

Ed.

[road.not.taken]

Hello all,

I would like to bring this subject alive as many of us are now dealing with this process and would like to be as much informed as possible.

I have read almost every topic related to pet relocation to Singapore and I still have some questions that I hope someone can answer.

First, I will start by saying that I would be moving my pet from Los Angeles, Califonia. It is a 2 year persian cat and so far he's had all his vaccinations (Including rabies 2 months ago).

I am intending to move my cat to Singapore in May or June of this year (2010) and these are my questions:

- I will do EVERYTHING possible to fall under category C1, as it implies less quarantine days. However, this category requires an AVA APPROVED INACTIVATED VACCINE. Does anyone know what this means? Or where I can find a list of "approved" vaccines?

Also, C1 also requires that after the blood test (at least 1 month after the 1st vaccine) the animal should take YET ANOTHER rabies vaccination. The last time I was at the vet they told me that rabies vaccination should not be repeated. Does anyone have information on this? Has anyone done it? Vaccinate your pet against rabies twice?

Also, who can help me find or refer me to a "GOVERNMENT VETERINARIAN" ? It looks like I need him anyways, to endorse part 4 of the "Veterinarian Certificate to Import pets to Singapore".

How is the USDA involved in this? Do I need a permit from them to export the cat to Singapore? or is there any related paperwork I need to fill out with them?

One last question:

As we are doing all by ourselves (even if we want to, we cannot spend the money to pay an agent) who can help us with the shipping process of the pet? My wife is currently in LA so she can handle that part, and I am in Singapore so I can handle this end. But, for airline reservation is not like you purchase a ticket for yourself, how do you check-in or send an animal in the cargo area? I am actually looking at KLM as they have very good referral for pet handling but how do you actually book a place for your pet with them and how do you select the flight you want your pet to be on?

If you made this to this part, thanks for reading and if you have the info to answer these question is much more than appreciated.

Thank you all.

Best,

Ed.

Hi Ed, not sure I can be of much help, but I'll try.

Point #1: (The Approved Vaccine) No, but, your Vet should. If they don't ~ find one that has dealt with exporting a cat before, preferably to Singapore. Have you scoured the website or even called them? I would. It takes a while to get through, but have all your questions ready. Don't let them answer with 'check the website'. Ask to be put on the phone with someone who can answer your questions. The website, in my opinion is the 7th circle of hell, surpassing even Dante's imagination.

Point #2: We could not qualify for C1 because of the age of our puppy, but yes ~ Singapore is very much a 'belt and suspenders' type of place. They want you to:

~ give your pet a vaccine (whether they need it or not),
~ wait 30 days,
~ check their blood and even if there is no conceivable way for them to be carrying rabies... have another shot.

Our choice was to board the dog in the US while he waits out his titre, or go through quarantine here, where we could at least see him every day. We choose the latter. It's a hard choice.

Point #3: (Government Veterinarian) call the AVA in Singapore and ask them. I used a pet relocation company and they handled this for me, so I don't know.

Point #4: (USDA) I don't think they are involved but if they are, surely it's on the AVA website? Again, find a Vet who has done this before, it will help you a great deal. My Vet and I poured over the paperwork for what seemed like hours, every time I scheduled a visit (and there are a lot in the final weeks before they fly).

Point #5: (shipping) Your pet flies cheapest (and best!) when they fly with you as 'excess baggage' and it is exactly the same 'accommodations' as cargo. Your wife should bring the cat with her when she comes to Singapore. She brings it to the airport with all the paperwork, having already made a reservation for the pet by calling ahead, in the approved carrier, with the correct label. Each and every airline has different policies (some against flying snub-nosed dogs, not sure about cats), some against flying in the summer. You need to check every airline's website. I wouldn't take KLM if it extends the trip a long time by flying through Europe. Go to the Singapore Airlines site and check out what they say. I think Cathay does not fly pets, but I may be wrong.

Point #6: (My point, you didn't have a point #6) It really will be OK. When they came and picked up my handsome boy this summer and he drove off in some stranger's van to God Knows Where... Well, it took a lobster dinner prepared by dear old friends to put it right for me. But! he really was fine. He got here in one piece, made it through quarantine and I have to say, he's no worse for ware. He's a darling beast, and he made it through just fine and your kitty will too.

Good luck to you!

[sundaymorningstaple]

Thanks for the help, road.not.taken!