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
Hi, i need your help. Im leaving cambodia in 6 months. Im going to the States and i would like to bring my 2 full grown pitbulls with me but dont know how to begin. They have complete vaccines. Can you please let me know which airlines accept these dogs. Thanks
How can i import a puppy from Hanoi vietnam?
I’ve looked high and low for information about the “import permit” i was told by one company out of PP. No relocation company has mentioned it, nor is there info of how i get one or even if i need one for a pet.
He is flying with Cathay, has all his medical done, and only waiting on the 10 day health certificate, but this one thing has me baffled!
I’ve also heard if your pet comes in late afternoon that you can’t take them if the import guys aren’t working. I’ not flying with him, but will pick him up – any advice here?
The 10 day health certificate is your permit. That’s all you need. You will pick them up right away there’s no waiting. I picked my 2 dogs up right off the baggage belt! haha
Hi.. I’m planning to move to Cambodia on 15th Jan with my golden retrieve with meach from Malaysia.. but I had look all over the Internet about how to apply the import permit from cambodia.. but in vein.. can anyone already have their pets with them imported please explain or help to understand how to apply the import permit in phnom Penh cambodia..??
Really appreciated for any help..
Thank you
I am planning my trip to Cambodia with my Chihuahua in March. I can fly Delta to Bangkok with her in cabin the whole way. I want to spend a day or two in Bangkok and then travel by ground into Cambodia. My concern is the Thai Embassy website states that she will be subjected to a 30 day quarantine in Thailand, however I read otherwise that that is not true. Did they main subject to not subjected to? The embassies website reads as follows.
8) The animals are subjected to quarantine at approved premises for a period of at least 30 (thirty) days upon arrival during which they shall be submitted to tests and/or treatments as may be deemed necessary. The importer/owner shall be fully charged for the incurred expenses.
I need to get the flight booked ASAP. Can anyone clarify whether there is a 30 day quarantine or not?
I’m not an expert on the rules for Thailand, but my understanding as that as long as you have the proper paperwork and your pet has recent shots, etc. they just check them and let them through. http://www.pettravel.com/immigration/thailand.cfm
Thanks Pet Travel. I do have all the proper vaccinations, and I will get it certified by the USDA. She has a microchip, I’m trying to have everything I need and more to avoid any problems he could come up.
Hello, I am considering moving to Cambodia to work and retire. I want to take my dogs, but I’m wondering how hard it will be to get a place to live with them. And I would be uneasy keeping them at home all day — would it be safe? (They are both little and I would hopefully be able to fly with them in the cabin, rather than baggage. I would consider asking a friend to fly with me to be able to keep both in the cabin. Any feedback welcome.)
It’s not hard to find a place that will take small dogs. Do you keep your dogs at home all day now?
Hi, anybody has any experience with bringing a pet other than a dog or cat? I’m about to accept a job and would like to bring my rabbit along from the US.
Hi, we are wanting to bring our 2 dogs to Cambodia in March when we relocate from Australia. I have read alot of info but am still a little confused about a few things. 1. Do we need to go through a Pet relocation service?
2. Which airline to use if we organise this ourselves
3. Do we need to complete an Import Permit and if so were do we get one??
Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Thanks
Hi Nicole,
I’ve taken my 2 dogs from America to Cambodia and out of Cambodia back to America and the process was relatively easy.
1. You do NOT need a pet relocation service.
2. There are only a couple airlines you can use, but I highly recommend going through Thailand if at all possible because they make everything a smooth process. We used Delta to get to Thailand, then used Bangkok Airways to get to Phnom Penh. They are one of the very few planes that can actually take pets over to Cambodia. But you need to call ahead to find out which planes allow pets with both carriers. Only larger planes can accommodate pets. It only cost us $200 each flight to bring our pets.
3. I don’t know what it’s like for Australia but in America we needed our State’s Department of Agriculture to make the permit for our pets to fly. First they got an exam by your normal vet, then our vet sent off our paperwork to be stamped. You need to make sure your pet has all its vaccines up to date 30 days prior to flying. The pet permits only last 10 days so you need to plan ahead. If you ever decide to leave Cambodia and go back to Australia with your pets the processes is very simple. AGROVet can do everything.
Good luck! It’s stressful, but luckily you don’t have to fly nearly as far as we did with our pets.
Oh I forgot to mention that when I landed in Phnom Penh I got super lucky with the whole process of exiting the airport with my dogs. The baggage people put my dogs on the baggage belt! I took them off the belt and walked to the exit. The guard was so confused to see me rolling out with my dogs. I just flashed my paperwork at him and he had no idea what he was reading since it was all in English and Thai, so as fast as I flashed my paperwork at him I walked out of the airport before he could do anything about it. The process was just as easy when I left Cambodia. Some people say they had to pay a bride to get in, but you really don’t have to.
Help, We are moving to Phnom penm the second week of October and we are trying to bring our cat,but the airlines are not taking animals on the planes to Phnom Penm since the planes are smaller and do not have the ventilation to handle animals ,we can get the cat to Thailand or Taiwan ,can anybody give me some advice urgently.THANKS
Fly to Thailand and go overland from there!
Hi
I have some thing to ask you about pet .I live in Phnom Penh and i want to make pet’s shop. So how can i bring baby dogs from Thailand ? And now i try to search Cambodia’s animals import permit and require ment…
I am going to move to Cambodia in a year or two and I am bringing my Chihuahua. Are dogs well received in hotels, shops and restaurants?
You’ll be able to take your dog almost anywhere, everyone will think it is adorable and ask how much he cost you. Dognapping is not unheard of though for rare breeds (and all breeds are rare), so keep your eye on him!