- With effect from 1 May 2001, the Agri-food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) will require microchip identification for all dogs imported into Singapore. Under this new requirement, all imported dogs must be implanted with a microchip in the country of export and have their identities certified by the veterinary authority of the exporting country.
- Currently, imported dogs can only be identified by physical traits such as age, breed, sex and colour. Microchip identification will enable AVA to better ascertain the identity of the dog vis-à-vis its accompanying health documents. The health documents will have to indicate the microchip identification code of the dog besides certifying that the dog has been vaccinated, examined and found to be healthy and free from various dog diseases by a registered veterinarian before it is imported into Singapore. Singapore is free from dog diseases, such as rabies, that can pose a threat to the local dog population and can also infect humans. As the majority of dogs sold as pets in Singapore are imported, microchip identification will minimise the introduction of such diseases, which can have severe consequences in a dense urban environment like Singapore where there is close contact between people and dogs.
- With microchip identification, if a disease is inadvertently introduced intoSingapore through an imported dog, the place of origin of the infected dog can be very quickly traced via its microchip identification code. Further imports from the source can then be immediately stopped to prevent any further entry of the disease into Singapore.
- Microchip identification of imported dogs can also benefit owners of such dogs as it will help them establish ownership if their pets are lost or stolen.
- AVA will inform the overseas veterinary authorities as well as local pethandling agents of this new requirement. Members of the public can write to the City Veterinary Centre at 25, Peck Seah Street, Singapore 079315 (fax: 2276403) or call 2270670 for further details or clarifications.
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