Hi. I just did this, from Houston. It really wasn't that bad, and both of my dogs were back to normal within a day or two. If they are not already create trained, getting the animals used to spending time in their crates will certainly help. Also, find a good absorbant type of paper litter to put into the crate - it will absorb moisture in case of the almost inevitable accident and help keep the pups dry. Finding good crate water bottles that don't leak can take some time. Consider using two water bottles in each crate, one with frozen water and another with plain old water. Also, don't use crates that are too big. A smaller crate (but not cramped, the animal should be able to comfortably stand and turn around) will help the animal stay quiet and cozy. A good vet should be able to suggest a suitable size and give a few more recommendations re: comfortable pet travel (like don't feed them right before the flight).
The flight itself is actually the easy part. (Try the direct Cathay Pacific flight from LAX to HK, they fly dogs frequently and seem to know what they're doing). All the paperwork takes more effort. Don't underestimate the amount of effort it takes to get all the papers in order. You will need:
1) A Residence certificate signed by a vet stating that:
i) The animals have been residing in the country of origin during the 6 months prior to shipment or since birth.
ii) There has been no case of rabies in the area for more than 6 months prior to shipment. Be sure to check this out with your vet as early as possible to avoid unnecessary disappointment. (It may take the vet some time to check with state or county health officials.)
2) Rabies vaccination certificate stating that:
i) The animal has been vaccinated not less than 30 days and not more than one year before coming to Hong Kong.
ii) A good history of anti-Rabies vaccination.
3) A vaccination certificate stating that the animal has been vaccinated against the following canine/feline infectious diseases not less than 14 days and not more than one year before coming to Hong Kong.
DOGS: Canine Distemper, Infectious Canine Hepatitis and Canine Parvovirus.
CATS: Feline Panleucopaenia (Infectious Enteritis) and Cat Flu.
The certificate should also show a good vaccination history.
4) An airline certificate. Also, animals must be shipped as manifested cargo.
5) Health certificate: A health certificate signed by a registered veterinary surgeon and dated not more than 14 days before departure, with government endorsement and stating that:
- The animal is free from any clinical signs of infectious disease and fit to travel.
- If it is a female, it is either not pregnant or less than 4 weeks pregnant.
The Hong Kong Government is very strict about these regulations and if any of these documents are missing or incorrect then a quarantine period of up to 4 months can be enforced.
Be sure to find out all the requirements early, and get the paperwork done. Even if your husbands comany is covering the expenses, you are still going to have to ensure that your pets have the proper vaccinations, microchips, and health certification. Also, consider using an import agency like export-a-pet.com or Ferndale Kennels in HK to get the HK import permit and pick the dogs up from the airport. Someone who can speak Cantonese and knows whats going on will get the pups through customs easier and faster. It will also be much easier for them to deal with any problems if they do arise. My doggies were at my door in HK within a few hours of landing and the import agency did a fine job.
Here is a web site that might help:
http://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/quara..._ipab_idc.html
A few other suggestions:
- The selection of dog food is much more limited in Hong Kong. Science Diet and Iams seem to be two reputable brands that are readily available. Consider switching your pets diet to one of these types of food before the move. They you will have one less thing for them to get used to when they arrive.
- Don't wait until it gets too warm to fly the dogs, as many airlines won't take them as cargo during certain hot months.
If you have any other questions just let me know.
Howdy! We will be moving from Texas to HK the end of April. My husband's job is transfering us for a 3 yr post. They are covering the expense of moving our 2 dachshunds so I know it will be done following proper proceedures, but I'm still extremely worried about my 2 boys! Has anybody done a similar move with their pets? If so, any comments/suggestions? Thanks!
