Singapore is known for its strict pet import policies, which are in place to protect the local flora and fauna from introduced diseases. Bringing a pet to Singapore involves a series of steps that must be followed in a precise order for a pet to be allowed entry into the country.

The Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS) department in Singapore mandated specific veterinary conditions that include vaccinations, blood tests, and parasite treatments that need to be fulfilled prior to travel. These conditions follow a chronological order, and must be completed within specific timeframes. It is essential to follow the vaccination schedule prescribed by AVS accurately to move with your pet dog or cat to Singapore.

Check country category

Singapore has different rules for dogs and cats flying in from different countries. Before you start the relocation process, the first thing to do is to identify the category of the country from where your pet is flying in. The categories are:

• Category A – Countries free from rabies: Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, United Kingdom
• Category B – Countries with negligible risk of rabies: Cayman Islands, Denmark, Hong Kong, Iceland, Japan, Jersey, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, USA (Guam & Hawaii only)
• Category C – Countries with a low incidence of rabies: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Netherlands, Slovakia, Spain, USA (except Guam & Hawaii)
• Category D – Countries with undetermined risk of rabies: All other countries

Vaccination schedule for puppies

If you are planning to travel with a puppy that is less than sixteen weeks of age at the time of arrival, your puppy must receive the following vaccinations when he or she is six weeks old:

• Canine distemper
• Canine hepatitis
• Canine parvoviral infection
• Rabies vaccination and rabies serology test for puppies travelling from country category B, C and D

Puppies that are less than sixteen weeks old require two doses of canine distemper, canine hepatitis and canine parvoviral vaccines as per the manufacturer’s recommendation. Speak to your vet and follow the vaccine manufacturer’s recommendation for the duration between the first and the second dose of these vaccines.

Vaccination schedule for older dogs

If your pet dog is more than sixteen weeks old, check if he or she has had one dose of the following vaccinations and that the vaccinations are valid at the time of arrival in Singapore:

• Canine distemper
• Canine hepatitis
• Canine parvoviral infection

If your pet dog hasn’t been vaccinated, or if the vaccinations are not current, take him or her to the vet and start the vaccination schedule. Repeat the dosage as recommended by the vaccine manufacturer.

Pets travelling to Singapore can skip the second dose of vaccinations only if they are sixteen weeks or older and if their first dose of vaccinations will still be valid when they arrive in Singapore.

If your pet dog is travelling from a country that is listed under categories B, C, or D, vaccinate against rabies and administer the rabies serology test before beginning the vaccination schedule.

Vaccination schedule for kittens entering Singapore

Kittens that are younger than sixteen weeks of age have to be vaccinated for the following when they are six weeks old:

• Cat flu (Feline calicivirus and Feline viral rhinotracheitis)
• Cat enteritis (Feline panleukopaenia /Feline parvovirus)
• Rabies vaccination and rabies serology test for kittens travelling from country category B, C and D

Kittens that are less than sixteen weeks of age need a second dose of the cat flu and cat enteritis vaccinations before travelling to Singapore. Check with your vet about the manufacturer’s recommendation for the correct duration between the two doses.

Vaccination schedule of older cats entering Singapore

Cats older than sixteen weeks of age must be vaccinated with at least one dose of Cat flu (Feline calicivirus and Feline viral rhinotracheitis), and cat enteritis (Feline panleukopaenia /Feline parvovirus) and the vaccinations have to be valid when your pet arrives at Singapore.

If your cat hasn’t been vaccinated, or if the vaccinations are not current as on arrival date in Singapore, speak to your vet about starting the schedule. Make sure you repeat the dosage as recommended by the vaccine manufacturer. Pet cats travelling to Singapore are allowed to skip the second dose only if they are sixteen weeks or older and if the first dose is still valid at the time of entry into Singapore.

If your cat is travelling from a country classified as category B, C or D, remember to vaccinate against rabies and draw blood for the rabies serology test before beginning the vaccination schedule.

Travelling to Singapore?

Moving to Singapore with your pet cat or dog is arduous because of the complex pet import regulations. Ensure a smooth and stress-free relocation by using the services of an accredited pet relocation service to manage the move. If you are planning on relocating to Singapore with your pet dog or cat, reach out to us at Petraveller for a detailed pet travel plan.