Mahatma Gandhi once said, “the greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” Farris outlines what it takes to move our furry, feathered, and scaled friends to the Asia-Pacific region.
When the Peelman family learned they would be transferred from the United States to Hong Kong, like many pet owners faced with a similar situation, one of the first questions on their minds was “what about our dogs?” Bridget and Greg Peelmans’ two dogs—Stella, a pint-sized Rat Terrier, and Gracie, a ginger-colored Boxer mix—are active members of the family, accompanying them and their eight-month-old daughter on evening walks and appearing in family Christmas photos wearing Santa hats.
But when Bridget Peelman first started researching moving to and living in Hong Kong with pets, she quickly became overwhelmed by
the amount of information—and misinformation—available online. “My searches found that Asia was not pet-friendly,” Peelman remembers. “I read that dogs have a hard time adapting and that it’s not a good quality of life for them.”
Peelman also struggled to make sense of the often confusing import requirements for moving pets internationally. Despite these concerns, the decision was not even a choice for Peelman and her family. “There was no way we were leaving our girls behind,” says Peelman.
Planning Ahead
While household goods might be able to be shipped at a moment’s notice, transporting pets typically requires additional planning time. As a general rule, rabies shots must be given at least 30 days prior to the target departure to avoid delays.
Many countries in Asia also require import permits be issued prior to pets being allowed entry. These permits can take anywhere from three to four weeks to obtain, depending on the amount of other pet owners also requesting entry into the country.
Advance planning also can help reduce waiting time for pets entering certain countries that have long quarantine periods. For example, Japan is a rabies-free country and requires pets to undergo a blood test and six-month quarantine on arrival.
However, pet owners can fulfill the blood test and 180-day quarantine at their own home if they begin planning at least six months in advance. This not only means a happier pet and owner—it also can make the difference between tens of thousands of dollars worth of government quarantine expenses.
For companies whose mobility policies include pet quarantine, allowing pet owners to wait six months prior to transfer can reduce overall pet moving costs significantly.
Because of the varying nuances in import regulations, many transferring pet owners choose to hire professional moving services for their pets. The increase in this practice reflects a growing industry trend of companies catering to employees’ pet-related needs. According to Atlas Van Lines’ 2009 “Corporate Relocation Survey,” 32 percent of companies now reimburse or pay to ship a family pet, a 3 percent increase from 2008. “I certainly could not have managed without the support of the pet transportation company I hired,” Peelman reflects. “There’s a lot that goes into making sure the pets are cared for on both ends of the transport.”
The positive experience Peelman had moving her pets not only ensured her dogs’ safe arrival in Hong Kong but also helped ease her initial worries. “I wish I had known how seamless the process was going to be,” Peelman said. “It takes a great amount of stress off the move to know that your beloved pets will be in great care each step of the way.”
Import Requirements
This chart is a basic overview of the import requirements for dogs and cats moving from the United States to major Asia-Pacific destinations.
|
Destination Country |
Valid Rabies Vaccination* Required |
Microchip Required |
Quarantine Required |
Import Permit Required |
| Hong Kong |
Yes |
Yes |
None |
Yes |
| India |
Yes |
No** |
None |
Yes |
| Indonesia |
Yes |
Yes |
7 to 14 days |
Yes |
| Japan |
Yes |
Yes |
180 days*** |
Yes |
| South Korea |
Yes |
No** |
None |
No |
| Malaysia |
Yes |
Yes |
7 days (Mainland)
180 days (Borneo)
|
Yes |
| Philippines |
Yes |
No** |
None |
Yes |
| Singapore |
Yes |
Yes |
10 to 30 days |
Yes |
| Taiwan |
Yes |
Yes |
180 days***
Plus 21 days mandatory quarantine in a government facility on arrival. |
Yes |
| Thailand |
Yes |
Yes |
None |
Yes |
| China |
Yes |
Yes |
Depends on the city**** |
No |
| Vietnam |
Yes |
No** |
None |
No |
Accepting the Culture
Even with professionals taking care of the logistics, pet owners often struggle with concerns about whether their pets’ lifestyles will be affected by living in Asia. Moving from a home in the suburbs with a fenced-in backyard to a high-rise tower in Singapore or Malaysia can mean a lot of trips down the elevator when it is time for Fido to go outside. Failing to understand local rules—such as Singapore requiring certain “aggressive” breeds of dogs to be muzzled when in public—also can cause pet owners undue stress, not to mention hefty fines.
However, circumstances sometimes also can be better than expected. “My biggest surprise about Hong Kong was how easy it was [to own dogs there],” said Peelman, who has since relocated from Hong Kong to Shanghai, China. “The area we lived in, Stanley, was really dog-friendly—you always saw dogs out walking and there’s a beach they’re free to run on.”
Peelman’s experience living with dogs in China has not been entirely the same. “Here in Shanghai, the rules are very strict and it’s not a dog-friendly culture,” Peelman explains. “In parts of the city it is advised that pets are only walked at certain times of the day.” In these scenarios, many pet owners prefer to live in expatriate communities, which tend to provide parks and open areas specifically for pets to roam freely. “We opted to live in a housing compound [in Shanghai],” Peelman explained. “Because we have a bit of a yard for them, we don’t often walk them on the street.”
“Culture shock can happen with any move, whether it’s down the street or around the world,” said Matt Kincaid, director of operations and client services at PetRelocation.com. “However, particularly with international moves, pet owners should be aware that for a little while after the move, things will be different for them and their pets.” Cats used to roaming the great outdoors might need to be kept inside, and finding that special type of dog food might prove impossible. Kincaid suggests setting realistic expectations—for example, knowing that you might have to change your pet’s brand of food if you are living in the middle of Laos—and reaching out to other pet lovers in your new region to help with the transition.
Once familiar with the region, Asia-Pacific expatriates often are surprised by the amount of pet-friendly events and services available. In Malaysia, an annual Malaysia Dog Day is held at the Chin Woo Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. The event is sponsored by Purina and includes “Olympic challenges” such as weave poles, musical chairs, and agility trials. All dogs are invited to attend and the Malaysian government even gets in on the fun by offering a police K-9 unit demonstration and microchipping services. FurrPurr, in Bangkok, Thailand, is a store and boarding facility dedicated entirely to cats—proving that even felines can receive first-class treatment in Asia.
Making a House a Home
Many expatriatess who decide to move their pets to the Asia-Pacific region initially struggle with concerns about how their pets’ quality of life will be affected, in addition to how to handle the logistics of transporting pets overseas. Knowing both the regulations and the culture can make all the difference in making sure a new life overseas does not turn into a mad dash back home.
In the end, most pet lovers find having their pets with them to be the most important thing, regardless of where they might be living. “We’re all together as a family and their tails are wagging happily,” says Peelman. “It takes a few months to feel settled but it’s all worth it to have them here with you.”
Rachel Farris is director of PR and new media at PetRelocation.com, Austin, Texas. She can be reached at +1 512 264 9800 or rachel@petrelocation.com.