Is it Safe to Move My Cat to Singapore?

What better way to get a new perspective than to move to a foreign country? Here at Starwood, one of the questions we hear most from people relocating internationally is, “Is it safe to move my cat overseas?” We understand. Your move wouldn’t be complete without your four-legged family member. But you want them to be safe, too.

Statistically, transporting pets by air is extremely safe. Airlines around the world carry hundreds of thousands of animals each year with few mishaps, so you can feel reassured. But we know your question about safety goes deeper. So let’s be more specific. Many companies relocate employees to Singapore because it’s an international business hub.

Is your cat allowed in Singapore?

If your family feline is a fourth generation or closer relative to a Savannah or Bengal, they cannot come with you. Perhaps more on point, finding a place to live will be tougher. Residential flats managed by the Housing Development Board (HDB) do not allow cats. However, some non-HDB properties do. You’ll have to get squared away on this before making any other plans.

Is it safe to move your cat to Singapore?

Health and safety go hand in hand, so your cat's safety starts with ensuring they meet Singapore’s pet import requirements. Singapore is on the short list of countries considered rabies-free, so their rules are strict. The last thing they want is for any pet to enter the country inadvertently bringing unwanted diseases or pests.

To prove your cat is a desirable immigrant, you’ll have to provide considerable documentation. The amount of paperwork and health requirements will depend on the country your cat is traveling from. For example, British kitties can rejoice in knowing they can skip the mandatory 10-day quarantine because the UK is also considered rabies-free. American pets? Not so lucky, unless you happen to currently live in Hawaii or Guam.

In general, a cat moving from the U.S. to Singapore will need:

• A microchip
• Two rabies vaccinations
• Rabies titer blood test
• FVRCP vaccination
• Internal + external parasite treatments between 2-7 days prior to travel
• International health certificate completed by a USDA Accredited Vet
• USDA endorsement of the health certificate
• Singapore import permit
• A quarantine reservation for 10 days or 30 days (depending on which health requirement option you use)

Take a look at the more detailed requirements on the AVS (Animal & Veterinary Services) website, and you’ll see why it may be safe to move your cat overseas but it's smart to let a professional handle the details. 

Additional safety considerations

There is more to ensuring your cat’s safety than fulfilling all the necessary pet import requirements. The trip itself can be stressful for pets, especially cats. Most felines don’t like change, so your cat is likely to be wary of the entire process. Here are a few things you should do to help them travel safely:

• Pick an international pet transport company with a great reputation and plenty of experience moving animals to Singapore. Any international pet move is complicated and fraught with potential problems. You have a lot on your mind planning the human side of your move, and your cat’s safety depends on getting their plans right. The right pet transport company can help you with every detail, so you can rest assured your kitty will travel efficiently and comfortably. That includes selecting the most pet-friendly airline available and the shortest itinerary possible so they spend the least amount of time in transit.

• Purchase the airline-approved travel carrier well in advance of their departure. That way, they'll have time to explore it and become well acclimated. That will help them feel calmer as they travel. They'll be safe inside the kennel because these carriers are specifically designed to protect pets in transit.

• Make a point of spending time with your cat between now and when you leave, even though your moving plans are hectic. They'll be more relaxed if they don't feel left out. And you’ll feel more relaxed with some one-on-one pet time.

• Do NOT give your cat any type of tranquilizer or sedative prior to departure for Singapore. The AVMA strongly recommends against this, and airlines and reputable pet shippers forbid it. Sedatives or tranquilizers can add to your cat’s stress and risk of injury in flight. That’s why other familiarization and calming techniques are so important.

With the right advance planning, it is safe to move with your cat overseas, whether you’re headed to Singapore or another country. Everything else may be foreign to you, but you’ll have that soothing familiar purr to make it seem like home.