Pet Dogs To Thailand

[kjun12]

Does anyone have experience with bringing a pet dog to Thailand? Can you give advice on this undertaking? Any assiatance is appreciated.

[FBN]

Getting a dog into Thailand is not difficult. Check with the vet in your country or with any international pet travel service to get the medical clearance requirements. This involves no more than updated vaccination (including Rabies done some weeks ahead of time) and a physical check and certificate of good health.

Getting the dog through the animal clearance counter at the airport with the proper papers is no hassle either.

Taking dogs out of Thailand is a problem. Heartworm is endemic in Thailand and dogs need monthly medication to rid them of this parasite (transmitted by mosquitos). They do, however develop antibodies to this disease and no country will allow a dog back that has tested positive for this. If all tests and medical checks required by the country of "repatriation", dogs may still be required to quarantened for 6 or more weeks, depending on country requirements.

[StrongView]

We did it twice (US to Thailand, Thailand to US, then US to Thailand again) with a Golden Retriever. Coming in the first time (passed through BKK on way to Chiang Mai) no one in Thailand customs ever looked at her. Going back to the US all that was required was (though this was in early 2003) shot records all being up to date (if I recall, it was distemper, rabies and some vaccine which included a few in one shot) and submit her for a physical exam at customs. We got all shots taken care of at local vet in Chiang Mai. Kept paperwork with us and when we passed through customs they simply looked at her and said "oh how cute. she's been on a long ride" and let us through. Point of entry was SFO Airport. Long story short, if all records are in order, there is no quarantine, especially if the dog is originally from the US (we had our original purchase paperwork with us from the place we bought our dog from in Colorado, but they never looked at it).

Coming back to Thailand on the 2nd trip, after our dog came out on the luggage belt, we were escorted to an animal control agent (he was asleep, it was around 01:00 at the time). We paid 150 Baht (this was in Sept 2003, rates may have changed) and he took some basic info. Handed us a form and sent us on our way.

Very simple for us, but this was between US and Thailand. Australia and EU (as far as I know) is certainly a different story and could be much more difficult going back. If you need more specific info, PM me and I'll get you in touch with a contact who may be able to help shed more light on paperwork requirements.

[Nienke]

Importing a pet isn't difficult at all, provided that all the required documents are in order. If your pet is a pitbull, you might experience difficulties at the airport. Although, there are several pitbull breeders in Thailand, I don't think importing them is allowed.

If you go to the pet forum there's lots of info to be found.

Here the link to the pinned thread 'importing dogs into Thailand' with the most recent experiences concerning paper work, dealing with customs on arrival, and (no) quarantine: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=88593

If any more/other questions on pets, best to ask them on the pet forum.

Nienke

[StrongView]

Nienke, of course knows what she's talking about. Not only is she an expert, but she and her husband helped us transfer our dog in Chiang Mai in 2002.