- With effect from February 2001, pet dogs and cats from Singapore can be exported to the United Kingdom without having to undergo the 6 months quarantine period. The UK Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) has informed the Agri-food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) that they have accepted Singapore as a rabies free island under their Pet Travel Scheme (PETS). This Scheme was introduced in Feb 2000 to allow pets to travel between UK and approved European countries.
- To be able to travel to the UK and be exempted from quarantine, all pet dogs and cats have to meet the following requirements prior to export:
- be identified with a microchip;
- be vaccinated against rabies;
- to provide a blood sample for a laboratory test (at a MAFF recognised laboratory) to show that the vaccine has provided sufficient protection for the pet against rabies;
- be issued with an official PETS certificate;
- be treated for internal and external parasites and exotic animal
diseases (to be specified by MAFF); and
- pets that are successfully blood tested will be eligible for entry to the UK 6 months after collection of the blood sample (pets have to remain in Singapore or a MAFF approved qualifying country during this period).
- The AVA and MAFF are currently working out the details of the certification requirements for the PETS certificate, microchip requirements as well as details of airlines that will be approved to transport pets to the UK under this Scheme. When these details are finalized, AVA will inform pet owners, veterinarians, pet transport agents and interested members of the public.
- Rabies is a viral encephalitis that affects all warm-blooded animals. It may be transmitted to humans through the bite or saliva of a rabid animal. The infection in humans and animals is usually fatal. Singapore has been free from rabies since 1953. To ensure that Singapore continues to be free from rabies, the AVA requires all imported cats and dogs (unless they are from rabies free countries) to be vaccinated against rabies and quarantined for at least 30 days in the Jurong Animal Quarantine Station on arrival. A person who imports a dog or cat from a non-rabies free country into Singapore without ensuring that the animal is vaccinated against rabies and quarantined on arrival is liable on conviction to a fine of $500 as well as a
jail term of 6 months.
- Pet owners and members of the public who want to know more details about the PETS scheme can write to the City Veterinary Centre at 25, Peck Seah Street, Singapore 079315 (Fax: 2276403) or call 2270670.
- For Questions and Answers, please see attached Annex.
Issued by Agri-food & Veterinary Authority
on 20 Sep 2000
Q1. How many dogs and cats are exported annually from Singapore?
In 1999 AVA issued export permits for a total of 1,112 dogs and 940 cats. Our records show that 73 dogs and 64 cats were exported to the UK in 1999. Other major countries of export include the US, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong.
Q2. What procedures do pet owners have to follow in order to export their pets to UK under PETS?
Pet owners should follow the following steps to export their pets to the UK under PETS:
| Step 1 |
: |
Get a private vet to microchip the pet; |
| Step 2 |
: |
Get a private vet to vaccinate the pet against rabies; |
| Step 3 |
: |
Get a private vet to obtain a blood sample from the pet at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination. The sample would be sent overseas by the private vet to a MAFF approved lab for a blood test for rabies antibodies. If the test results are satisfactory, the pet would be eligible to travel to the UK 6 months from the date of collection of the blood sample; |
| Step 4 |
: |
Keep the pet in Singapore or another qualifying country which is approved by MAFF during the 6 months waiting period in order to meet the residency requirement; |
| Step 5 |
: |
Apply for a PETS certificate from a private vet; |
| Step 6 |
: |
Apply for an export permit for the pet from AVA. The owner will also have to apply for an import licence from MAFF. Upon approval, MAFF will issue a boarding document. Owners also have to obtain a declaration of residence form from MAFF or the British High Commission (in Singapore) |
| Step 7 |
: |
Take the pet to a private vet for treatment against parasites 24-48 hours prior to travel. A certificate of treatment against parasites should be obtained from the vet; |
| Step 8 |
: |
Export pet to the UK and ensure that the documents required for export under PETS (PETS certificate, certificate of treatment, declaration of residence, boarding document) as well as an AVA export permit have been obtained for the export of the pet to the UK. Arrangement must also be made for an approved airline to transport the pet directly to the UK with the required PETS export documents. |
[*The declaration of residence form (obtainable from the British High Commission) must be filled in by owners and signed on the day they travel to the UK with their pets.]
Q3. What is the existing procedure for export of dogs and cats to the UK?
Presently owners need to apply for an import licence from MAFF and arrange for the pet to spend 6 months in a quarantine station in the UK. If the import is approved, MAFF will issue a boarding document for the pet. Owners also have to apply for an AVA export permit and arrange for a licensed vet to examine the pet and issue a veterinary health certificate.
Q4. When can pet owners start making arrangements to export their pets to UK under PETS?
Pet owners can start now by bringing their pets to a licensed vet to icrochip and vaccinate their pets. Thereafter they should ask their vets to collect the blood sample and submit it to a MAFF approved lab. If the test results are satisfactory, the pet is eligible to travel to the UK 6 months from the date of collection of the blood sample.
Q5. What are the likely travel routes to the UK under PETS?
Owners must export their pets direct by air to the UK. So far, MAFF has not approved any other modes of travel. Flights must fly directly to the UK without the need to change aircraft.
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