Moving with your pet to Thailand

Thailand is a pet-friendly country, as most locals treat animals with the utmost care and respect. You will see them leaving cat food and dog food in the streets for the stray dogs and cats, making them obese sometimes. There are also lots of condominiums and apartments that are pet-friendly, so there is no need to worry if you are planning to relocate with your pet to Thailand.

Read also Relocating to Thailand

Your pet and the Thai climate

Before you consider bringing your pet to Thailand, make sure that he or she will be able to handle the country's hot, tropical climate. Not all dogs, for instance, do well in Thailand. Pugs and boxers, because of their shorter noses, might not be able to breathe well outside on hot days. Pomeranians, on the other hand, could overheat because they have thick coats of fur. As for cats, any older, long-haired, or overweight cats may struggle in the Thai heat – unless you keep your air conditioner running around the clock.

Permitted animals in Thailand

Thailand does allow most domestic pets to be imported, but pit bull terriers and American Staffordshire terriers are exceptions and prohibited. Rabbits are subject to the same requirements as most dogs and cats, but birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibians, and rodents may have to meet different requirements. They should have a health certificate to enter Thailand.

If you have a unique pet, such as a turtle or a parrot, you should verify that it is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), as you will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case.

For help with procedures and regulations, it is advisable to contact an experienced pet relocation specialist for guidance.

Requirements for pets moving to Thailand

Thailand does not require a rabies titer test (FAVN) for pets entering from any country, but your pet will need to be microchipped so that it can be easily identified. Thailand currently accepts AVID 9 and AVID 10 microchips, in addition to ISO Standard 11784 or ISO Standard 11785 microchips.

Once the microchip has been implanted, your pet needs to be administered with an inactivated rabies vaccine. You must be able to provide the original rabies certificate on arrival, and this certificate must state the microchip number, the date of inoculation, and how long the vaccine lasts. Dogs must also be vaccinated against canine distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis, and hepatitis (DHLPP). At the same time, cats must be inoculated against feline cat flu-feline calicivirus, feline viral rhinotracheitis, chlamydia psittaci, and feline parvovirus. Your pet must have had all the necessary vaccines at least 21 days before arriving in Thailand but no more than a year before.

Puppies and kittens will need to be vaccinated when they are at least 3 months old and will need to wait for 30 days after their inoculations before they can enter the country. This means that the minimum age for export is 4 months old.

Within ten days of the date that your pet is due to fly, you should obtain a completed vet health certificate (form 7001) from an accredited veterinarian. You will also need to obtain an import permit from the Bangkok Animal Quarantine Station, which is valid for 45 days from its date of issue.

The moving process in Thailand

All pets must be inspected 48 hours before their departure for their export license to be granted. The export license and health certificate shall be issued after the inspection, and a copy will be sent to the owner before departure.

Upon arrival in Thailand, it is possible that your pet may be subject to up to 30 days of quarantine if they do not meet certain requirements. Once any inspections and tests have acceptable results, you will be able to take your pet home.

Pets can fly to Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, and they can travel in the cabin or as checked baggage or air cargo, depending on the airline and the size of your pet. Your pet should not be exposed to other animals if they are transiting in another country, so they will only be allowed to stay in an officially approved quarantine area during any transit.

Pet movers in Thailand

There are lots of companies offering relocation services, and most of them provide processing paperwork. Some also handle the entire process, which includes flight reservations, veterinary services, and pet delivery.

One of the most popular sources of pet relocation services is the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association. It is better to contact this company before agreeing with the pet service of your choice to be able to feel secure having your pet transferred. They can provide you with a list of trustworthy pet shippers, avoiding fraud and scams.

Acclimating your pet to Thailand

It's important to ease your pet into its new life in Thailand. After all, the temperature and smells will most likely be very different from those in your home countries, so don't overwhelm your pet too quickly. If you have a dog, take him or her for walks every other day or so until it is adjusted. If you have a cat, make sure it has a place in your house or condo where it feels safe until it's ready to explore its new abode. After a few weeks, your pet should be adjusted to life in Thailand and ready to mingle with other animals.  

Pet parks and stores in Thailand

Over the last decade or so in Thailand, owning a pet has become more popular – especially owning a dog. Nowadays, there are dog parks all over Bangkok. This gives your furry friend a place to exercise, play, and socialize with other dogs. Usually, these dog parks will have pet stores next to them, where you can buy food, treats, toys, clothes, and even diapers for your dog. So, if you're concerned about being able to access things for your dog, don't be. 

Pet hotels in Thailand

There may come a time when you have to travel within Thailand or leave the country for a vacation or trip back home. Bangkok has plenty of pet hotels that will make sure your dog or cat is as comfortable as possible while you are away. Some of these pet hotels even have swimming classes for dogs, obstacle courses for cats, and on-site veterinarians. 

More information 

The authority responsible for the relocation of pets in Thailand:

Bureau of Disease Control and Veterinary Services, Department of Livestock Development

Address: Phayathai Road, Ratchtavee, 10400 Bangkok, Thailand

Phone: 66-2-653-4550 ext. 4175

Fax: 66-2-653-4929

Email: quarantine_dcontrol@dld.go.th

Useful links:

IPATA

Boonma