Bringing pets into Japan

Goldiegirl

Goldiegirl

先輩
Joined
10 Aug 2006
Messages
1,694
Reaction score
69
I was reading the immigration website on bringing cats and dogs into Japan. I was really confused. I think that they are quarantined for a minimum of 12 hours and up to 180 days. I want to know how many days the quarantine period is for? I understand about the microchipping and the rabies vaccinations and blood titer test, but I couldn't find exactly how many days my pets would have to be quarantined. Has anyone brought their pets over to Japan? If so, how did they do in the quaratine facility? We are planning to spend 3 months in Japan and one of my cats does poorly when I am gone so I would like to bring him. Ok, I really adore him and I would miss him!😊 Thanks!!
 
I would judge the stress to the animal during two flights, trips to and from the airport, and being caged in unfamiliar surroundings receiving minimal care from strangers to be greater than the stress of being without his loving mother for such a short period. And add the stress of being cooped up in a strange home with strange people while here, plus the very real danger that he may somehow get out of the home during your visit here and either run away or get run over and killed. The roads in Japan sometimes ride very smoothly because they're practically paved with a nice soft coat of cat fur.

Let's be honest; isn't this really more about you doing poorly without him than him doing poorly without you?
 
Have you checked out the webpage on the animal quarantine service by Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan?
It has pages on "Bringing Animals into Japan".


If you are bringing dogs and cats from the US, please see "Import procedure (Entry into Japan)" of "Dogs and cats from regions other than the designated regions" section.

According to the site, if your dogs/cats got the following as preparation, then the pets shall be kept only for 12 hours. Otherwise, they will be subject to a 180-days quarantine period, which must be extremely tough for them.
(1) Microchip implanting
(2) Rabies immunization (dogs and cats)
(3) Serological testing for rabies antibodies (dogs and cats)
(4) Waiting period before export after confirmation of antibody presence (dogs and cats)
(5) Advance notification
(6) Approval of import inspection of animals
(7) Clinical inspection before departure
(8) Obtaining certification from the responsible exporting country government agency

 
Thanks...I still find that website confusing. I'm glad that you could help me make sense of it! I like the 12 hour quarantine and will follow all of the procedures. :) I appreciate your help!
 
Please be extra double careful to follow the guidelines meticulously. Otherwise your cat will be boarding for three months at the airport until you come to take him out of the country again.
 
Did you bring your pet with you when you moved to Japan?

I have a Chinchilla in USA for about 3 years. I adopted her when she was about a year old at the reputable pet shop in NJ (with a proper NJ EPA certificate). I know it is a pain in an aXX to bring a live pet into Japan. Have you brought your pet with you to Japan? I know I have to abandon my Chinchilla when I leave USA this year (as I want to get out of here) as it is virtually impossible to satisfy the paperwork.
 
Hi there JerseyBoy :)

Regretfully, i'm not able to offer too much info to you, but I wanted to reply because I do know that a friend of mine in Japan imported his birds (Cockatoos, perhaps) to Japan.

That's all I can say really, but I just wanted to reply to say that if you are very attached to your pet please don't give up, it is NOT impossible. I know his beloved creatures still bring him much joy :)

GOOD LUCK!
 
<edit> I see Uncle Frank is already on the case and has bumped up this thread for the benefit of the other OP. Many thanks!

Oh, there is also this thread I replied to just a few minutes ago, with another question about pets, perhaps the two threads could/should be merged?


(PS If anyone could let me know by PM or direct me to another thread, about how to imbed a link within a post I'd be most grateful, cheers :)
 
Last edited:
@ Mike Cash...yes I suffer because I miss my cat, however as I sit in my hotel room reading e/mail...my mom has informed me that my cat has not eaten since I left for Tokyo. They are taking him to the vet and will probably have to have a feeding tube placed. Sorry if I sound terse, I am still ill myself, and feeling very lonely.
 
Merged the two threds ....

they seem to go togeather OK.

Uncle Frank

:-)
 
You have to realize, people, that most apartment owners will not permit cats or dogs, even to Japanese renters. Even if you find a place that does, it will be rare, and you may have to move soon, depending on your job status, so finding another place will be tough. Not many foreigners live in houses here, certainly newbies.
 
Glenski said:
You have to realize, people, that most apartment owners will not permit cats or dogs, even to Japanese renters. Even if you find a place that does, it will be rare, and you may have to move soon, depending on your job status, so finding another place will be tough. Not many foreigners live in houses here, certainly newbies.
Click to expand...

All very true, but for the sake of clarity I would like to point out that Goldiegirl is in an entirely different situation. Also, I sincerely hope her kitty will be alright.
 
For complete and accurate procedures, check

Home：動物検疫所

ペットの輸出入：動物検疫所

動物検疫所ホームページ
www.maff.go.jp www.maff.go.jp

To prepare for bringing your dogs/cats into Japan from the USA:

1. Microchip your pets. ISO-compliant chips are best. If you ensure microchipped (i.e., from a shelter), make sure that your vet can scan and read. If the chip is not ensuring (i.e, 9-digit, instead of 15), make sure that is quarantine office at your port of entry (i.e, Narita) can read your chip. If not, you will need to bring your own scanner.

2. Make sure that your vet is USDA accredited, or you will not be able to get the endorsements you'll need later. Ask your vet. Or find a vet who is.

3. Rabies shots in two sessions. It must be non-genetically modified killed vaccines. Very uncommon in the US. You'll need to make sure that your vet uses the right vaccines. Remind them that what they know doesn't matter to the Japanese government. Anyways, the first shot has to be done AFTER microchipping. Anything prior wouldn't count. The second shot must be at least 30 days after the first one.

4. Drawing blood/sending it off to Kansas for testing. If time permits, you may want to wait about a month after the second shot for the best results. The blood is drawn on day one of the 180-day waiting periods. Discuss with your vet for procedures.

5. Make sure that all the information on the forms is correct. Remember that you'll be dealing with the Japanese government. Everything has to be accurate. Email the quarantine office and ask questions if you have any.

6. Fax the required documents at least 40 days before your departure. Remember, your departure date must be at least 180 days from when the blood was drawn.

7. Before departure, documents must be endorsed by the USDA office. Check with your local office for their procedures.

8. If everything goes well, I've been told that the quarantine office visit at the airport can be as short as 20 minutes. Additional time must be spent at the quarantine office if your pets didn't satisfy the waiting period. The owner must pay for the lodging and food.
I am still debating whether or not to move. It's really time-consuming and financially challenging. I may put together a blog on this subject.
 
Yeah. I would like to know too if Goldiegirl actually was able to pull it off!
:)
 
I am hoping to not have to live in Japan. We have a few more hurdles to cross...

It would take a lot of time to get a pet in the right condition to go, with all the papers etc. We go back and forth about every 2-3 months so we'd never have it all prepared. And now since my husband is close to being a resident in the USA I am not going forward. Plus, I don't like microchips in my animals. If we have to move to Japan, then, and only then will I follow the protocol.

Now we have it all worked out in a way that all the critters are happy, or at least less upset when we are gone. Leaving August 24 for Tokyo!
 

Similar threads

M
Bringing my Protein powder and Creatine to Japan ok?
Replies
5
Views
29K
JerseyBoy
JerseyBoy
S
How long does mail from the U.S. take to arrive in Japan
2
Replies
28
Views
132K
Ranbento Raito
R
cocoichi
Bringing ash/urn to Japan
Replies
9
Views
12K
cocoichi
cocoichi
Emoni
  • Sticky
What ARE your legal rights in Japan as a foreigner?
10 11 12
Replies
292
Views
75K
Lothor
Lothor
S
Pet adoption in Japan
Replies
6
Views
7K
sythoff
S
Back
Top Bottom