- How many dogs are imported into Singapore annually?
About 5,500 dogs are imported into Singapore annually. Of these, puppies imported for commercial purpose account for 85-90% while personally-owned pet dogs account for the remaining 10-15%. Some 95% of the commercially imported puppies are from Australia. The AVA estimates that 80% of all dogs sold as pets in Singapore are imported from overseas.
- Does the new requirement apply to personally-owned dogs as well as dogs imported commercially to be sold as pets?
Yes.
- What is rabies?
Rabies is a fatal viral disease affecting all warm-blooded animals and man, which kills between 35,000 to 50,000 people worldwide each year (World Health Organisation estimates). Bites by rabid dogs are the main cause of rabies in people. Singapore has been free from rabies since 1953.
- What is a microchip? How is a dog implanted with a microchip?
A microchip is an electronic device that transmits its information when activated by certain radio-waves. It is read by an appropriate microchip reader and provides a permanent and foolproof method of identification of the dog. The microchip, which is the size of a rice grain, is implanted by injecting it under the skin of the neck of the dog. If done correctly, the implantation of a microchip into a dog is quick, safe and relatively painless. A microchip is insert in the body and usually lasts the lifetime of a pet.
- Do other countries also require microchipping of imported dogs?
Australia and New Zealand also impose compulsory microchipping for imported dogs. The UK uses microchipping as a means to identify dogs and cats under their Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) whereby such pets that are properly identified, vaccinated and blood tested may be imported without the need for quarantine.
- How will AVA enforce the new requirement for all imported dogs to be identified with a microchip?
AVA will inform overseas veterinary authorities and local pet handling agents of the new requirement. With effect from 1 May 2001, overseas exporters and owners must microchip their dogs and puppies before exporting them to Singapore. This applies to both commercial consignments as well as personally owned pets. At the same time, overseas veterinary authorities will be requested to verify that dogs are micro-chipped, and to certify the identities of the dogs before they are exported to Singapore. On arrival in Singapore, AVA officers will inspect all imported dogs at the port of entry. The officers will use microchip readers to scan the dogs and read their microchips. The microchips will assist AVA officers to identify each imported dog with its travel documents.
- What will happen to an imported dog that is not microchipped?
The dog will be detained by AVA officers at the point of entry [ie Changi Animal and Plant Quarantine (CAPQ), Tuas or Woodlands checkpoints]. If the dog's identity cannot be verified or if its travel documents are not in order, AVA may refuse entry of the dog.
- What type of microchip should be used for imported dogs?
Each microchip bears an identification code which is unique worldwide. Owners and importers should ask their veterinarians to use ISO compliant microchips. As there are different brands of microchips available in the market, one microchip reader may not be able to read a chip of a different brand. The International Standards Organisation (ISO) has drawn up standards for microchips so that all microchips that comply with ISO standards (but not non-ISO microchips) can be read by ISO-compatible readers. Thus stipulating that all microchips used should follow ISO standards will ensure that the microchip can be read by an ISO-compatible reader.
- What will happen to a dog that is microchipped but its chip cannot be read?
If ISO compliant microchips are used, there should not be any problems with reading them. However if non-ISO compatible chips have been used, the owner has to bring his/her own reader or the dog will be detained.
- Will microchipping make it more expensive for owners to import or purchase imported dogs?
Microchipping is estimated to increase the cost of an imported dog by a relatively small amount. However, it will benefit owners in return as it can help them establish ownership if their pets are lost or stolen.
- Are there any other areas where compulsory microchipping of dogs is required in Singapore?
To protect the public from being bitten, compulsory microchipping is also required for dangerous breeds of dogs such as Pit Bull, Akita, Neapolitan Mastiff, Tosa and the crosses of these breeds.
- What are the other veterinary requirements for importation of dogs into Singapore besides the requirement for microchip identification of dogs?
An import permit from AVA is required for the import of a dog. The imported dog must also be accompanied by an export permit and/or a veterinary certificate that certifies:
- the identity of the dog,
- that the dog has been examined by a veterinarian and found to be healthy, free from any clinical sign of infectious or contagious disease and fit for travel at the time of export,
- the dog has been fully vaccinated against canine diseases such as canine distemper, Canine Hepatitis and Canine Parvoviral infection,
- the dog is at least 12 weeks of age.
In the case of importation of dogs from rabies free countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, an official veterinary certificate declaring country freedom from rabies as well as residency of the dog in the country for the past 6 months prior to export is also required.
A signed declaration for the captain of the aircraft/master of the ship isrequired certifying that the dog has been transported in accordance with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) guidelines and that the dog has been flown/shipped directly to Singapore without coming into contact with animals from other countries which may be of a different health status.
Dogs imported from Malaysia must also to be officially certified that they have been tested and found free from Nipah virus infection prior to export and also come from areas in Malaysia which have not reported the occurrence of Nipah virus infection.
The AVA also requires all imported dogs (unless they are from rabies free countries) to be vaccinated against rabies and quarantined for at least 30 days in Jurong Animal Quarantine Station on arrival. A person who imports a dog 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.
Issued by Agri-food & Veterinary Authority
on 22 Feb 2001
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