When I move to the Philippines, can I bring my pet?
The answer is yes! Indeed, you can bring your dog or cat along with you when you move to the Philippines.
The procedure is actually quite simple. First, you must take your pet to a USDA certified Vet in the States. Your vet must certify that the pet has been disease free for the past 30 days. There is paperwork that must be filled out, which you can obtain from the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate (or you can download here).
After taking care of these simple requirements, your pet is ready for the journey! As a matter of fact, there is not even any quarantine requirements on the Philippine end, so upon arrival, you and Sparky can be together right away!
haha. now you’re just becoming a mind reader, Bob. First the phone thing now this. I’ve been looking into this exact topic. Now maybe there is hope for “winter” to see Davao.
Now get out of my head
YOu forgot to mention the pet must have shots aside from being disease free for 30 days =). YOur pet will also need a microchip if he/she is AKC registered and you wish to have your pet PCCI registered.
Some airlines require the microchipping before they will ship pets (but it’s usually European airlines)
If you are from USA and want to hand carry a small pet you can only hand carry it up to Manila if you take NW, etc. Once it’s in Manila and has to come to Davao, it must go by cargo as PAL and every other airline in the PH does NOT allow dogs under the seat.
Hi Cheryll - actually, I didn’t forget, I didn’t know about the additional steps that you shared! So, I thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Hello Bob is it true you need to have an “import permit” to bring ol fido along with you? I had just spoke with a lady from the Philippine airlines and she says you need an import permit from the philippines before they will even allow the dog. Theres one problem to that…. we live in america…
Hi Jim - There is a link in the article with the official instructions from the Philippine Embassy regarding the procedure. It includes information on how to get the import permit. Just click the link that says “download here” and follow the instructions.
Please bring your dog. They serve two purpose. They give you love and protection. Electronic survellaince system is not popolar among homes in the Philippines. So having a dog, or more than one dog, will allow you to sleep good at night. They’re good deterrence to would-be-burglars. I’m not sure about cats, though. Till next time….
Hi Bob, I was just wondering, do you know what are the procedures in taking pets to the philippines (to Manila) then to one of the other islands from the uk? Is it possible? As my family will be moving there soon, and we would like to take our cats to samar.
Hi Ann - The article which you posted this comment to gives the procedures for bringing your cats to the Philippines. Just download the form that you need by clicking on the link above, and follow the procedures outlined.
Good luck with your move!
hi again, thanks for the info, but they are the procedures to go through if you come from america, however it has given me a little insight to what will be needed. Do you know the procedures to go through if you are coming from the uk? also, how would I Transport my cats from manila to samar?
Hi Ann - I am sorry, I don’t know the requirements for the UK, but I am sure they are very similar to the USA. I would recommend that you go to the website of the Philippine Embassy in London and get in contact with them. The URL for them is: http://www.philemb.org.uk/
ok thank you very much!!!
can anyone give me information if we can bring flower bulbs or flower roots to the philippines, good job BOB,very informative site..thanks.neng
Hi Neng - I don’t know for certain, but I would expect that it will be difficult to bring in flower bulbs and such. Check with the Dept of Quarantine for a sure answer, though.
Thanks a lot BOB for answering my question regarding “bringing flowers bulbs/roots “to the philippines ,…keep up the good work…neng
Good job on a frequently asked question, Bob, thanks. One thing that should be mentioned .. plan the season your pets will travel. Most US airlines will not accept pets for international flights from about May through October … may vary by airline. So don’t plan the big move with “Spot” on Labor Day weekend for example.
I took a dog wit me to Japan and back to the US in the past and I’m certainly glad I did. The Philippines is simpler in some ways.
Regarding the airline choices? Philippine Airlines is often the most difficult to deal with. They “make their own rules” at times it seems. They also don’t fly from many US cities. On the other hand, they are the _only_ airline that flies to the Philippines direct … no plane changes in Hong Kong or Tokyo or Taipei, etc. The only two “US Flag” carriers that serve the Philippines are Northwest and Continental (but you (and Fido) will change in Tokyo or Guam at a minimum). So as the old saying goes, you pays your money and you takes your choice.
Thanks for the additional tips, Dave. I didn’t know about the “blackout” on animals during the months of May through October, so that is real good info.
Hi BOB,we will be going back to the Phil in Sept and we will be bringing our dog,after reading dave’s comment abt certain airlines in US will not accept pet for international flight,I called NWA right away and sure enough yes thats what NWA told me,they have certain temps to take a pet in the plane ,the lady that I talked to, told me that after sept 15 its ok to bring a dog with us,…..I talked to a friend a week ago he just left usa to the phil.last saturday and he said we can now apply our import permit online,computer comes handy..this is a wonderful blog,good job BOB/FEYMA,Have a nice day..
Thank you for your kind words, neng, I’m glad you enjoy the blog! And, good luck with your dog.
Hi Bob, Great site. I have a small parrot. She’s micro-chipped and has all shots and health records up-to-date. She’s a companion pet and we’ve been together for ten years. Do you know if avian species are permitted entry to the Philippines? Thanks again for your most informative site.
Hi Karen - At this time, due to the Bird Flu which has hit Asia hard, Avian species are not allowed into the Philippines.
Hi Bob,
Thanks for the timely response! I am saddened to learn no travelling parrots in paradise; but, certainly understand why.
You and Feyma have done a wonderous service with this site. I thank you both and all the folks who contibute articles and Q and A.
Happy to be of assistance, Karen.
Hi, it is EASIEST to import animals from Rabies FREE countries like UK, and Australia.
BUT remember if you are from UK or Australia it will be ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE to bring your dogs back if you wish to go back home.
Also about the embargo on flying on hot months, this only applies to NW, to and from USA to PH. BUT if you travel with dog under your seat this is fine, embargo only applies to dogs travelling as cargo.
Stopover in Japan is also OK. I just brought home a dog from NJ to PH last July. No problem at all.
Continental Airlines and Philippine Airlines will take your pets all your round.
If anyone has issues on shipping pets into Philippines please contact me, I will be glad to help. NO,I do not charge anything, LOL LOL! I just don’t like the idea of pets being left behind.
I have shipped dogs in to Philippines from USA, Belgium, Czech Republic, Thailand, Indonesia, Canada.
I have also exported dogs to
USA, Netherlands, Russia, Malaysia, etc.
cheryllann@fantasiashihtzu.com is the best way to contact me
Hi Cheryll Ann - Thanks for your input on this topic! You have some really good info there, and your assistance is invaluable to those who want to travel with their pets!
HELLO,
MY NAME IS REV JOE SMITH, I AND MY WIFE ARE ON A CHRISTIAN
MISSION TO AFRICA AND I CAME ALONG WITH OUR TEACUP YORKSHIRE TERRIER
BABIES.
AFTER A WHILE I NOTICE THAT THE AFRICAN WEATHER IS NOT GOOD
FOR THE
PUPPY AND I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF HER THE WAY I
ALWAYS
DO BECAUSE OF MY JOB. THEY ARE AKC REGISTERD. - TEACUP. HOME RAISED,
VACINES & HEALTH GUARANTEE.
I NEED A SOMEONE TO ADOPT BOTH AND TAKE CARE OF THEM THE WAY I ALWAYS DO.
IF YOU CAN TAKE GOOD CARE OF HER DO SEND A REPLY AND I WILL EMAILYOU
HER PICTURES.
I HOPE TO READ FROM YOU.
REGARDS,
REV JOE SMITH
the philippines dont need more dogs! lots of dog in my subdivision and i put out poison every night to kill the noisy things, i like to sleep at night!
Wow, Jack…. you sound like a heck of a guy. What will you do when your neighbor decides that the Philippines needs a few less people and comes after you?