[llcnyca]

Hello All,

I have been following this forum for few months now, in anticipation of my move to Hong Kong in January 2006. The information posted was great. Now it is my turn to ask for advice....

I will be bringing my two small dogs (or as I like to call them, my fur kids) with me to Hong Kong for a 2 year assignment. I know that it is more complicated with pets but I don't want to leave them behind in the States. I would appreciate if anyone can share their experiences when it comes to housing (where to live and pets policy), travelling with pets into Hong Kong, and anything else (where to buy pets supplies and etc.).

I appreciate your help and look forward to the response.

[wahansa]

Hi there!
I also have a question about pets: Is there a quarantine requirement for bringing pets into Hong Kong? I'm planning to take my cat with me when moving to HK. Would appreciate your advice.

[dropdedfwed]

check

http://www.afcd.gov.hk/quarantine/lsk/import/dogcat.htm

really if you contact the government agency responsible for animal imports/exports in your country they can get you sorted. some private businesses will also arange everything for a fee (generally quite reasonably priced) from pick up, vet certs, cages/boxes and flight/boarding. all you need to do is call them, pay the fee, kiss your pet bon voyage, pick up in HK when u land.

depends where you come from, but most countries have very few restrictions going into HK.. going back home may be a little different - 1 month or more quarantine boarding etc while blood tests are done and vet checks carried out.

you may need to get an import permit, so u may need to find an "agent" in HK... check the HK gov website

[wahansa]

Thanks for your response. The web site is very useful. But how do I go about finding an "agent"? Is it necessary?

[stephinpdx]

We brought our cats with us from the US and it wasn't a problem at all... a few things to consider:

-- www.exportapet.com. We used them to bring our cats in and wouldn't do it any other way. They guide you through the process and paperwork; pick up and ease your animals through customs and deliver them to your home. Start early with them as they are a bit slow and langugage can be a barrier but everything turned out fine.

-- No quarantine from the US AS LONG AS YOU HAVE ALL REQUIREMENTS... i.e. certain shots with paperwork during the right timeframe (Exportapet will guide you if you ask them) and they look healthy when they arrive.

-- Your pets will need to go manifest cargo - with luggage... temperature controlled but some airlines like United won't let your pets fly if the temperatures could be dangerous. For instance, we cut it close when we flew our cats out in the summer because it was getting hot. The concern isn't when the plane is in the air but if it gets delayed/stuck on the tarmac and the animals could freeze/overheat.

-- crate.. make sure you have an approved crate for each animal. They must be able to stand up inside and turn around. Also needs to have air holes on all sides and constructed so that if the crate were pushed up against boxes, it won't be flush and cover the airholes.

-- must include some mechanism for water... a snap on dish with ice or a water bottle like those for mice. Tape a baggie of dry food to the crate so that if there's a delay or a problem, someone can feed the animals. (they usually are too nervous to eat or drink much anyway).

-- Try to get a direct fly from the US to HK. We actually drove from Portland to SF so the cats would only need to board a plane once

-- don't drug your animals as you dont 'know how they will react to the meds in the air and if it's a long flight, the drugs could wear off in the middle of it, making them even more disoriented and scared. After the take off, they tend to be ok

-- I was super nervous/scared for the cats; cried when i dropped them off at cargo so let me know if you have any other questions i can help answer... jsut PM me.

[llcnyca]

Stephinpdx,

Thank you for the detailed response on bring your cat over to Hong Kong from the States. It is comforting to hear from someone who has gone through the experience. I will certainly look up exportapet.com for more information. I am nervous to put my two small dogs through the experience but hope everything will work out well.

Do you have any advice/comments to share relating to houseing and other things in general once your cat arrived safely in Hong Kong? Thanks again for all your help.

[wahansa]

Hi Stephinpdx,

Thanks for your very useful answer. I tried to access the site you listed but the browser said the site could not be found. Is it a company dealing only with transportation of pets from the U.S.? I live in Sweden and wonder if they service our country too.

I was thinking of giving some tranquilizer to my cat but the flight is going to be long, and what you said about the cat not adapting or reacting mid-flight is worrisome. Our flight will have to involve one stop in Amsterdam but I checked KLM cargo's site and they have expert animal handlers to take care of the pets during transit. So I guess it's going to be alright.

Thanks again for your reassuring reply. My cat (the one in my icon) says "meow" :-)

[PDLM]

Steph,

Wouldn't it have been a lot easier and cheaper just to sell your cats to the local chinese takeaway in PDX and get some new ones from the SPCA when you arrived?

[discobay]

Originally Posted by PDLM

Wouldn't it have been a lot easier and cheaper just to sell your cats to the local chinese takeaway in PDX and get some new ones from the SPCA when you arrived?

Except that the ones at the SPCA are all used and discarded by thoughtless and heartless humans.

[Kimmi]

Email Stacy Tucker at Ferndale Kennels here in HK, she is very helpful, she helped me when we brought our dog over from Australia. Her email address is: tucker@netvigator.com A company called "JET PETS" brought our dog over and they were brilliant our dog was well looked after. GOOD LUCK