Frequently Asked Questions
Moving across borders is a significant life event, and we know that for pet owners, the safety of your “furkids” is the top priority. International pet relocation can often feel like a minefield of complex paperwork, fluctuating health regulations, and strict airline standards.
As both professional psychotherapists and devoted pet owners, we understand the emotional weight of these journeys. We have compiled this comprehensive FAQ guide to provide clear, fluff-free answers to your most pressing questions. Whether you are exporting pets from Singapore, navigating dog import rules, or looking for a reliable pet transport service, this hub is designed to give you total peace of mind.
-
General & Process - Exporting from Singapore
- Importing to SG
- Safety, Health & Wellbeing
- Costs & Logistics
While owners can handle some basics, international pet travel is a regulatory minefield. Every country has unique requirements; what works for a move to the UK from Singapore will not apply to Australia. One missing vaccination, a typo in a microchip number, or an incorrectly sized crate can result in your pet being refused boarding or placed in months of mandatory quarantine. We handle the technicalities so you can focus on your own move.
Excess baggage means your pet travels on your ticket and you collect them at the passenger terminal. Manifest cargo means your pet travels on a separate "Air Waybill" and is processed through cargo terminals. Importantly, many countries (like the UK, Australia, and Hong Kong) only allow pets to enter as Manifest Cargo for biosecurity reasons.
Ideally, 3 to 6 months. While some moves are faster, countries with strict rabies protocols require blood tests (RNATT) that involve a mandatory 90 to 180-day waiting period before travel is permitted.
Your pet’s 15-digit ISO microchip number can be found in several places: your vet’s medical records, your pet’s vaccination card or passport, insurance documents, or your original AVS dog licence. If you cannot find it, any local vet can scan your pet in seconds to retrieve the ID.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) sets strict rules for "Live Animals Regulations" (LAR). A crate must be sturdy, well-ventilated on four sides, have metal-threaded bolts (not plastic clips), and be large enough for your pet to stand, turn around, and lie down naturally.
You will typically need a valid AVS (Animal & Veterinary Service) Export Licence, an updated vaccination record, and a Veterinary Health Certificate issued by a licensed vet within 2 to 7 days of departure.
Yes, but with extra precautions. Breeds like Rottweilers or Doberman Pinschers (Scheduled Dogs) must be muzzled in public areas of the airport and require specific crate reinforcements. We specialise in handling these "special" travellers.
Singapore is considered a "Rabies-Free" country. However, many destination countries (like those in the EU) still require a Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT) to prove the pet has sufficient immunity before they allow entry without quarantine.
In most cases, the certificate must be issued within 7 days of travel, though some countries require it to be within 48 to 72 hours. Our team ensures the timing of your vet appointment aligns perfectly with your flight.
Singapore classifies countries by rabies risk.
1. Category A (e.g., Australia, UK): No quarantine required.
2. Category B/C (e.g., USA, most of Europe): Vaccination and 10–30 days quarantine.
3. Category D: High risk; rigorous 6-month preparation required.
For pets arriving from Category C or D countries, the stay at the Sembawang Animal Quarantine Station (SAQS) is usually 10 to 30 days, provided all blood tests and paperwork are in order.
Slots are booked via the AVS website. Because the facility is often full, we recommend booking 3 to 4 months in advance. We can manage this booking for you to ensure your flight date matches your quarantine slot.
Yes. Land transfers from Malaysia involve specific DVS (Malaysia) and AVS (Singapore) paperwork. We provide a specialised "Land Transfer" service to move pets across the Causeway safely.
Singapore prohibits the import of several breeds, including Pit Bulls (American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, etc.), Akita, Neapolitan Mastiff, Tosa, and their crosses.
As psychotherapists and pet owners, we understand this concern. While the environment is new, pets have a "denning" instinct. Once the cargo hold is dark and quiet, most pets settle down and sleep for the duration of the flight.
No. Sedation is strictly prohibited by airlines and strongly discouraged by vets. Sedatives can cause dangerous drops in blood pressure at high altitudes. We recommend using natural pheromone sprays (like Feliway or Adaptil) inside the crate instead.
If your pet has a transit (layover), they are taken to a specialised animal facility at the airport. Here, they are given fresh water, their crates are cleaned, and they are monitored by trained ground staff before their next flight.
Yes. Pets travel in a specific compartment that is pressurised and temperature-controlled exactly like the passenger cabin. The Captain is always notified that live animals are on board.
Unlike passenger tickets, manifest cargo rates for pets remain relatively stable throughout the year. However, airline capacity is tighter during Christmas and school holidays, so early booking is essential.
It is possible, but it requires complex biosecurity arrangements. Pets arriving in Australia via private jet must still be met by quarantine staff and transported immediately to the Mickleham facility for their 10-day stay.
This is where having an agent is vital. We coordinate with the airline's cargo desk to ensure your pet is cared for, fed, and re-booked on the next available flight, managing all the revised paperwork on your behalf.
Yes. We provide a dedicated Pet Taxi Singapore service for local transfers between your home, the airport, and the Sembawang Quarantine Station. Our vehicles are fully air-conditioned and sanitised after every journey.