Bringing a dog or cat to Singapore is more bureaucratic than most relocations expect. The Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS) controls the timeline — and the timeline runs to several months, not several weeks. This guide walks through the 2026 process in the order things actually need to happen: country category, vaccinations, blood tests, AVS import licence, transit and quarantine, then the housing question every expat hits on arrival.
Step 1 — Find your country category
AVS classifies countries into Category A through D. The category determines vaccine and blood-test requirements:
- Category A: rabies-free countries (Australia, New Zealand, UK, Ireland, Japan, etc). Easiest path; no rabies titre test.
- Category B: countries with effective rabies control (most of Western Europe, US, Canada). One rabies titre test required.
- Category C: countries with rabies but with surveillance (most of Asia, parts of South America). Two rabies titre tests, longer wait period.
- Category D: all other countries. Six-month minimum quarantine in a Category A/B country before Singapore import is permitted.
Check the AVS website for the current country list before you start. The category alone can move your timeline by months.
Step 2 — Vaccinations and microchip
Regardless of category, every imported dog or cat needs:
- An ISO-compliant 15-digit microchip (implanted before any vaccinations). If the chip isn’t ISO-compliant, AVS expects you to bring a reader.
- Rabies vaccine administered after the microchip. Booster history matters; the rabies certificate must reference the chip number.
- For dogs: DHPPi (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza) plus leptospirosis. Most owners also do bordetella and canine influenza.
- For cats: FVRCP (feline rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia). Indoor cats often skip rabies in their home country; for Singapore import, rabies is mandatory.
Vaccination paperwork must be original, signed by a veterinarian, and translated into English if it isn’t already. AVS rejects scans.
Step 3 — Rabies titre test (if your country is Category B or C)
The titre is a blood test that confirms the rabies vaccine took. Samples must be processed at an OIE-approved lab; results take 2–6 weeks depending on the lab. The titre must show ≥0.5 IU/ml.
The single biggest mistake expats make is timing the titre wrong. The blood draw must happen at least 30 days after the rabies vaccine, and the import must happen at least 90–180 days after a passing titre, depending on category. If your titre is drawn too early, the test result is invalid; if your import is booked too soon, AVS rejects the application. Plan a six-month timeline from first vet visit to flight.
Step 4 — AVS import licence
The import licence is applied for online via AVS’s portal. You’ll need:
- Microchip number
- Rabies vaccination certificate (or full vaccination history for Category A pets)
- Titre test results (if applicable)
- Health certificate from a licensed vet, dated within 7 days of departure
- Proof of arrival flight and quarantine booking (if required)
Licences are issued in 1–4 weeks. Apply 30 days before your planned arrival.
Step 5 — Transit and quarantine
Most pets arrive at Changi as cargo (manifested as live animals). A few breeds and small cats can travel as cabin baggage on specific airlines, but the cargo route is more reliable for door-to-door pet-relocation services.
Quarantine duration depends on category:
- Category A: Home quarantine on arrival; no facility quarantine.
- Category B: Usually no facility quarantine if all paperwork is in order; AVS may direct random pets to the Sembawang Animal Quarantine Station for inspection.
- Category C: 30-day quarantine at Sembawang.
- Category D: Re-route through a Category A/B country for at least six months first.
Sembawang quarantine is bookable in advance and usually fills up — book before you book your flight, not after.
Step 6 — On arrival: the housing problem
Most expats arrive in Singapore with their pet booked into Sembawang or in home quarantine, but no permanent housing yet. The first few weeks usually involve a serviced apartment (most ban pets), a friend’s spare room (rarely available), or a hotel (almost always pet-free). This is the moment co-living is most useful.
Coliva houses accept pets from day one of a lease, and our shortest leases are three months — long enough for an expat to land, finalise their long-term housing search, and move on without a one-year commitment. We’ve had multiple residents arrive directly from Changi to a Coliva room, suitcase in one hand, dog leash in the other.
For a deeper read on what pet-friendly co-living actually means in Singapore, see our 2026 pet-friendly rental guide.
Singapore’s pet-keeping rules in plain English
Once your pet is in the country, three rule layers apply:
- National (AVS): dogs must be licensed and microchipped. Cats are not nationally licensed but the new 2024 Cat Management Framework is rolling out.
- Building: HDB allows one approved small-breed dog (60-breed list). Condos vary by MCST; many cap dogs at 10–15 kg. Co-living houses set their own pet specs.
- Tenancy: the landlord can refuse pets even where the law and the building allow them.
We cover the rules in detail in our guide to HDB, condo and co-living pet rules.
Realistic timeline (Category B expat)
| Week | Action |
|---|---|
| −24 | Microchip (if not done) and rabies vaccine |
| −20 | Rabies titre blood draw (≥30 days after vaccine) |
| −16 | Titre result returned, vaccinations refreshed |
| −12 | Sembawang booking (if needed); flight booked |
| −4 | AVS import licence application submitted |
| −2 | Coliva viewing booked or 3-month lease confirmed |
| −1 | Vet health certificate issued (within 7 days of flight) |
| 0 | Arrive at Changi |
Common mistakes
- Booking the flight before checking quarantine availability. Sembawang fills up, especially in peak relocation seasons (June–August, December–January).
- Drawing the titre too early. 30 days after vaccination is the minimum; 35 is safer to allow for vet scheduling.
- Assuming a serviced apartment will accept your pet. Most don’t. Confirm in writing before you commit.
- Skipping the local vet handover. Find a Singapore vet, register, and bring all vaccination records on arrival.
Airline-specific quirks worth knowing
Not all carriers handle Singapore-bound pets equally. A few practical 2026 notes:
- Singapore Airlines / SIA Cargo. Reliable for cargo bookings; book via SIA Cargo, not the passenger reservation. Expect 4–8 weeks’ lead time on confirmation, especially for long-haul.
- Lufthansa Cargo. Used by many European relocators; transit through Frankfurt. Strong handling reputation for in-cabin and cargo.
- Emirates / Qatar. Allow some pets in cabin on certain routes, but Singapore-bound flights almost always route as cargo via Dubai/Doha.
- British Airways. No pets in cabin from London; cargo via IAG Cargo. Books out months in advance.
- What to avoid: low-cost carriers and most North American airlines on long-haul Singapore routes — pet handling is inconsistent and accepting bookings is rare.
Pet-relocation services worth shortlisting
For a Category B/C move, almost every owner uses a relocation service rather than coordinating directly. Three names that come up repeatedly:
- PetTravel Singapore. Local specialist, AVS-savvy, handles airport-to-quarantine logistics.
- Jetpets. Australia-based but handles inbound Singapore movements; thorough on Category C paperwork.
- Starwood Animal Transport. US-based, handles US/EU outbound.
Expect S$3,500–S$8,000 for a full-service Category B move including AVS application, flight booking, and Changi-side handling. Quarantine fees are billed separately by AVS at Sembawang.
What changes after arrival
Once your pet clears AVS, three things need to happen in the first month:
- Register with a local vet. Bring originals of all vaccination records. Common Singapore vets (Mount Pleasant, The Animal Clinic, Mandai Vet, Animal & Bird) all accept walk-in registration.
- Apply for the AVS dog licence (dogs only). Online application; first year is around S$15 if your dog is sterilised, S$90 if not. Cats don’t require a national licence yet.
- Find your daily walking spot. If you’re in Springleaf, the Nature Park; if you’re in Jalan Besar, Farrer Park field. The first month sets the routine for the next year.
Three real expat moves we’ve hosted
To make the abstract concrete: three recent Coliva residents who arrived with a pet.
- UK to Singapore (Category B), one cat. Six-month rabies titre timeline, no facility quarantine, three-month Coliva lease while she found a long-term flat. Total relocation cost (including PetTravel): S$5,200.
- Australia to Singapore (Category A), one Maltese. Easiest path on this list. Home quarantine, no titre. Six-month Coliva lease, dog walks at Springleaf Nature Park most evenings.
- India to Singapore (Category C), two indoor cats. 30-day Sembawang quarantine, two titre tests across nine months. Three-month Coliva lease while she sorted condo paperwork; owner moved out at month three with a clean handover.
Ready to look at housing?
If you’re a few weeks out and need a soft-landing room that already accepts pets, browse all available rooms and reach out via the contact form or WhatsApp +65 8513 9003. Tell us your arrival date and pet details — we’ll match you to the right house.