Looking for more up-to-date info about exporting pets from Cambodia? Check out our brand-new pet export guide!
One of the questions we hear from expats is whether or not it’s possible to bring their pets in and out of Cambodia. Happily, the answer is a resounding yes! We talked an expert on the matter, Nicola Scales, the president and founder of PPAWS, the Phnom Penh Animal Welfare Society about moving with pets to Cambodia and adopting pets in Cambodia. Here’s the low-down.
If you are looking for a pet, consider an abandoned Cambodia pagoda dog.
MTC: How can expats bring their dog or cat with them to Cambodia?
NS: It is relatively easy to bring pets in although there is little written documentation of the process. It is simplest to have your pets fly with you, you can just pick them up from the baggage department and walk out of the airport with them. If they come via a pet relocation service, there are often hidden costs added that are difficult to verify or determine ahead of time, due to the lack of documentation on the subject.
Do expat pets need special vaccinations to come to Cambodia?
Nothing special is needed, just the standard vaccinations and rabies shots–the same as most countries.
If expats want to adopt a pet in Cambodia, what is the best way to go about it?
Expats can contact PPAWS, especially if they are interested in kittens or young cats–the advantage being we often give them their first vaccination so it is cheaper in the long run. Alternatively Madame Loan at CAPA often has dogs or puppies (but she has been known not to allow certain people to adopt her rescue animals, possibly based on nationality). The alternative is to just go to a pagoda; there are many kittens and sometimes puppies abandoned there and if they ask the monks they are usually quite happy for them to take them.
What should expats consider before they adopt a pet in Cambodia?
Before you adopt any animal, please consider your future plans. Cats and dogs can live up to 20 years. Only take in a pet if you are certain that you will be able to care for it and bring it with you if you move away. Adopting a dog or cat should be for life, not just for while you are living in Cambodia!
Are there veterinarians in Cambodia? Where can expats go for pet healthcare?
I recommend Agrovet, this is a European veterinary clinic with mainly French vets but also a Spanish vet.
There are many abandoned kitties that need loving homes.
What is PPAWS (Phnom Penh Animal Welfare Society) and what do they do?
PPAWS was set up to try and help the abandoned cats and dogs in the pagodas of Phnom Penh. At the current time we focus on two pagodas. The funds come mostly from my wages as a teacher and so we are limited by this fact, and when I am working, that also limits how much I can do. But if people find abandoned animals, they can ring me and I’ll advise or try and help. I cannot take them in as I already take in rescue animals from the pagodas.
Can I take my pet with me when I leave Cambodia?
It is relatively easy to take animals with you to everywhere but Australia and New Zealand. Even the UK no longer has requires animal quarantine, instead the animals do a three month in-country quarantine after a blood test to make sure they have rabies antibodies. My advice is get your pets vaccinated and keep up with the vaccinations. Check out what you will need to take your pet back to your own country and put money aside and plan for this eventuality. There is more information about exporting your pet, including airline recommendations, on the PPAWs site.
PPAWS (Phnom Penh Animal Welfare Society) Clinic
Clinic open Tuesday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sundays 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
189 Street 37, Beoung Tumpun, Phnom Penh
T: 017 293 654; 017 517 365
ppaws.com
Hello, I am bringing my dog from Indonesia to Cambodia. I would like to know if you know anything about in “import permit”? I have all the other documents, but I read that an import permit is required. Please advise :)
Hi Alan, did you get your dog to Cambodia? I’m hoping to bring my cat in August. Which airline did you fly with? Did you find out about the import permit? Thanks, Sarah
Just found out my breed of dog is banned in Thailand so I need to find an alternative route any ideas?
Thanks
Amy
Hi Amy, have a look at pettravel.com or ask on the forums at flyertalk.com. They might have some better ideas. There are a lot of alternate routings you could try. What about flying Asiana via Seoul?
Thanks Lina, I just sent this to a friend who may be moving to Cambodia.
Hi Amy,
I recently brought my 10 yr old shih tzu from the US to Vietnam. We flew United because I wanted him in-cabin with me (he’s not cut out for cargo). As far as I know, United is one of the only carriers that will let a small dog (12 lbs and under) fly in cabin. I had him registered as a support animal and United was very accommodating. The flight was still very hard on him, however, as it’s incredibly dehydrating for small animals. Make sure your dog is equipped with plenty of water (and if he/she is crated make sure he/she is familiar with drinking from the water device installed in the crate). I also brought along some calming, natural, valerian dog treats and these worked very well to sooth his anxiety.
Hello
I’m planning on moving to Cambodia with my dog buster 6year old Staffordshire terrier, in October time, I’m thinking of using british airlines fly from London to Bangkok then drive from Bangkok to siem reap , anyone got any good advise iv never flown my pooch before an want him to be safe he’s part of the family :)
Thanks
Amy
Has anyone had any experience flying your dog out of Phnom Penh as checked baggage? My dogs are too big to fly in the cabin. Coming to Cambodia was easy…getting out I’m having a hard time finding a flight that has a pressurized cabin. Anyone have experience flying to America from PP? Which airline did you use?
Hi Mia, one of my friends moved from Cambodia with his dog. He said the flights from Phnom Penh had too many connections and it would be too hard on the dog, so he flew from Bangkok (and took a bus there, with the dog in a second seat). He said flights from Vietnam might be a better choice. He flew with Aeroflot because it was “cheap and simple.” I’m not sure if they fly to the US, though. You might contact Nicola at PPAWS because she’s the expert on this.
Hey Guys… awesome job.
We adopted a dog in Spain. Initially it was temporary rescue but he won our hearts and it is over a year. We would like to visit Cambodia for a year and so we are thinking about bringing him along. It was such a relief to find your site.
He has his chip, His passport and his updated Rabbies shot. I am assuming this is all that we need.
Thanks a lot and we hope to pay you guys a visit.
love and light
natasha
I have a question about traveling to Cambodia with a pet. When I was in Cambodia before, we adopted a dog. When we tried to leave Cambodia, the customs people were very difficult and said that there was some kind of form that we were supposed to have. We were afraid that we were going to have to pay money. Fortunately, we were strong and firm and didn’t have to pay.
I have seen different information about what is needed to move to Cambodia….something like a pet permit. Is that really needed? I’m just scared about customs again.
Anything you could tell me would be wonderful! Thanks!
Hi Jenn
It depends where you are flying to for some papers from the airport. But for taking out of Cambodia there is a permit that needs to be filled in by one of the ministries. If you go to Agrovet or Dr Lin Pak they will do it for you (Dr Lin Pak is cheaper). But check to make sure what the requirements are for the country you are going into.
I was actually wondering about bring my dog back to Cambodia. We are moving from the USA back to Cambodia in January. I keep seeing this thing about a “pet permit” to take my dog to Cambodia, but I can’t find any kind of permit on line that needs to be filled out.
Also, I have seen a few things about pets needing to have a micro chip in order to go to Cambodia. Is that true? Thanks so much for your help!
Hi Jen,
I have never heard of animals needing anything to be brought into Cambodia. Most of the time it would be the airlines particular rules and the country you are departing from. When I left China they insisted all my pets had micro chips and were fully vaccinated. I guess it prevents any accusations that they allowed sick animals leave their country.
You can get your pet micro chipped here, I would check with your airlines and then if you are still unsure check with Agrovet. They have quite up to date information.
Hello, I have a 49 kilo black lab that I am trying to move from Thailand to Kampot. There are no planes with a big enough cabin to hold his kennel. Is it relatively easy to bring him across the land border at Hat Lek/ Koh Kong? Also, does he need to be kept in his kennel, or can he just be on a leash? Any info would help. Also, If you think another border would be easier please let me know. Thank you.
Hi Nick, I have a friend who took his dogs in and out of Cambodia via Thailand a few times. He said that he had no problem on the Cambodia side (although he suggests you have some bribe money ready), however the Thai border guards insisted that he have papers from an approved Thai vet, so best to contact the Thai embassy and get a list of approved vets. He also said he had his dogs in a kennel and the Cambodian border people didn’t even look inside or seem to notice or care that there were dogs inside. But as usual, your mileage may vary.
True, Mia. However, and I’m sure there are those out there that will disagree with me, I don’t think goldfish form the same emotional attachment to humans that dogs do.
The oldest gold fish ever recorded lived more than 40 years (43 exactly). Unfortunately, most don’t live so long because of lack of adequate care.