Meet Marble. Marble was born in Singapore, has lived in the Philippines and is sleeping in an armchair in Manhattan, New York City, in the above picture. She’s an international cat and probably has more Sky Miles than most human beings. She’s also a lucky cat, having started out her life as a stray under a building near the train station in Pasir Ris, Singapore. Now she lives a life of relative luxury on the other side of the world with canned food every day, lots of attention and love and a safe environment.
So, how did she get here? Well, it’s a long story, but first we exported her from Singapore to the Philippines and then when it was time to move on, we exported her again from the Philippines to the US. (If you want to read about how to get your cats from Singapore the Philippines, click here.) Compared to the process of getting Marble from Singapore the Philippines, bringing her to the US was relatively painless.
Just to give you an idea, the requirements set forth by the CDC (Center for Disease Control, which regulates animal imports) for bringing your pet cat into the US are that the cat has to be in apparent good health and, depending on the state of entry, updated on rabies shots. That’s it. Here’s the exact quote from the CDC’s page on cat importation:
A general certificate of health is not required by CDC for entry of pet cats into the United States, although some airlines or states may require them. However, pet cats are subject to inspection at ports of entry and may be denied entry into the United States if they have evidence of an infectious disease that can be transmitted to humans. If a cat appears to be ill, further examination by a licensed veterinarian at the owner’s expense might be required at the port of entry.
Cats are not required to have proof of rabies vaccination for importation into the United States. However, some states require vaccination of cats for rabies, so it is a good idea to check with state and local health authorities at your final destination.
All pet cats arriving in the state of Hawaii
An additional requirement from Delta (the airline I used) was that she needed a government health certificate and to get her out of the country we had to get an export permit. In the Philippines, you’ll get your export permit and government health certificate at the same time. They’re the same form in fact.
So, here’s a breakdown on what you’ll need to get your pet cat out of the Philippines:
- When you book your flight, do it with a live person and inform them that you’ll be taking a pet cat with you on the flight. This is necessary, because not all planes are equipped to carry live animals. The fee for carrying pet cats is 200 USD each, flat rate. You pay this later. I’m not aware of any limit to the number of cats you can bring at one time, but I’m sure there is one.
- Within 10 days of your flight, take your cat to a vet and have her updated on all shots. Depending on what state you go to, your cat may need a rabies shot. Also, regardless of US requirements, the BAI staff asked to see proof of rabies vaccination. Get your cat the other shots he or she should have anyway, because it’s just healthier that way and will help your cat avoid disease and live longer. Depending on what vet you use, costs may vary. Our cat had her rabies shot in Singapore in May, so it was still valid. Her feline leukopenia booster was 750 pesos.
- Request a Veterinary Health Certificate. You may need to explain what this is and what it’s for and what it needs to say. The vet we went to didn’t seem to know, which isn’t surprising. Cats aren’t popular pets in the Philippines and I imagine exporting them to other countries by owners is rare. We paid 500 pesos for our Health Certificate at Our Lady of Assumption Dog and Cat Clinic – Antipolo:
- Contact Person: Oscar Macenas
- Address: Joren Building, Circumferential Road, Marville Park Subdivision, Antipolo, Rizal
- Contact Numbers: (02) 697-1896, (02) 697-3378
- Accreditation: Philippine Animal Hospital Association (PAHA)
- Take your Veterinary Health Certificate (within 3 days of issue!!!) and your cat’s shot record, showing the valid rabies vaccination, to the BAI building on Visaya’s Avenue in Quezon City, Manila. They’ll process your combo export permit / government health certificate in an hour or less. Take the form they give you and go around back of that building (to the left as you exit the door). Go into the building there on your left (there’s only one) and up to the 3rd floor to the records unit. They’ll put a ‘dry seal’ (raised notary seal) on your export permit. All of this is free.
- Contact Person: Virgie Tiong or Maynard Lagmy
- Address: National Veterinary Quarantine Services, Bureau of Animal Industry, Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City, Manila
- Contact Numbers: Phone: (632) 920-0816; Fax: (632) 920-0815
- When you get to the airport, check in as usual at Delta’s ticket counter. They’ll ask to see the documentation, make photocopies, and collect your pet there after you make your payment of 200 USD, which can be made in cash or by credit card. Delta doesn’t accept carry on pets on international flights.
- Collect your pet in the baggage claim area at your destination airport.
You won’t see your pet during the flight at all, even if you have a layover. What comfort you will have comes in the form of little cards:
These cards come off of a form that is stuck to the side of your pet cat’s carrier. You’ll be given one by a flight attendant prior to the plane leaving the gate area. If you have a layover, you’ll be given another one before the plane takes off again. My flight was from Manila to Tokyo to New York, so I received two of them. The fact that it comes from the sticker form stuck to the carrier at the check in counter is what gives you the assurance that your pet is in fact on the plane.
If you’re wondering how a cat holds up under a plane for 20 hours, I would tell you that it depends on your cat’s temperament. Each cat is different and some are more skittish than others, but Marble was just fine. She was a little nervous and hid under the blanket I put in there for her, but that was about it. Please do leave a blanket in the carrier. Despite being air conditioned, the plane gets cold. My advice to anyone, though, is to not drug your cat prior to the flight. Besides the fact that it’s not healthy for the cat, if he or she looks dopey or messed up on arrival you may wind up with your cat being quarantined to make sure it’s not sick with some disease.
If you’re flying this exact route, you can collect your cat in JFK’s baggage claim area. Just past the baggage carousels there is a locked door with a key pad. Above it there is a light with a yellow cover. When a pet shows up on a flight, it’s taken to this room and the warning light is turned on to alert the owner that the cat (or dog) is available for pick-up. When I picked up my cat I wasn’t required to show any documentation at all, because Delta had copies that were likely handed over when the cat was unloaded.
I hope this guide gives you some insight into the process of getting your cat from the Philippines to the US! Below is a map showing the location of the BAI office on Visaya’s Avenue. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask and I will answer to the best of my ability.
Related posts:
- Getting an Export Permit from the Philippines BAI for Marble
- Importing Your Cats To The Philippines From Singapore
- Do you like cats? Do you like Japan and anime? Check this out!
- Singapore Airlines vs Philippine Airlines
Hi, just want to ask regarding having cat tranquilized. Coz i knew a family who took their cat to VA. with them and she was given a mild tranquilizer as to lessen the possibility of anxiety for the cat. Which do you think would be better. Or wouldn't the airline require the pet to be drug?
Hi. I'm not an expert, but there's a big debate on whether it's even safe to give cats those drugs. Most animal welfare organizations will urge you to not do it, and I'm more likely to listen to a not-for-profit animal welfare organization than a veterinarian that would make money off of dosing your cat with a tranquilizer.
I transported three cats from Singapore to the Philippines on a 4.5 hour flight, and one cat from the Philippines to New York City, a 22 hour flight with a layover in Japan. I never used tranquilizers on the cats and they're fine. They'll likely be a scared during take off and perhaps during landing, but for most of the flight they'll be just as relaxed as you are.
No airline I've seen requires that pets be drugged, just placed in a proper pet carrier that's suitable for travel on a plane. The requirements are different depending on whether the animal will be in the cabin or in the cargo area.
Thanks for sharing, this is very informative.
I would just like to ask if you could share how the process of going through JFK customs worked out for you?
I'll be bringing my dog with me and I want to know if there are other extra steps I have to go through with customs.
Thanks!
Anonymous: It's been a while, but from what I remember, I got my luggage from the carousels and then waited by a door in the same room where pets are collected. It has a light over it that will start blinking when pets are ready for collection. I saw a woman open the door and bring out a few dogs and I asked about my cat. She went back in and brought her out. I stuck her on the cart with the rest of my luggage and rolled out the door. I don't recall even having to show any more paperwork, or even ID to prove it was my cat. It's been a while, though, so I might have forgotten something.
Anonymous: It's been a while, but from what I remember, I got my luggage from the carousels and then waited by a door in the same room where pets are collected. It has a light over it that will start blinking when pets are ready for collection. I saw a woman open the door and bring out a few dogs and I asked about my cat. She went back in and brought her out. I stuck her on the cart with the rest of my luggage and rolled out the door. I don't recall even having to show any more paperwork, or even ID to prove it was my cat. It's been a while, though, so I might have forgotten something.
Hi! My cat in the Philippines have never received any shots her whole life yet, what vaccines are required in order for me to take her here in the USA? I got her as a stray.. And last question, do i have to bring the cat with me to BAI or just the documents? Thank you!
Hi. All you really need is a rabies shot at least 30 days before the pet's entry to the United States. Take your cat to a regular veterinarian and get a Health Certificate. Then take only the Certificate to the BAI. You don't have to take the pet there. Or, you can not get the regular certificate and take your cat to the BAI. BAI will issue the federal health certificate and the export permit at the same time.
Also, please keep in mind that if you are trying to take your cat to Hawaii or Guam, there will be a mandatory quarantine period.
Hi. All you really need is a rabies shot at least 30 days before the pet's entry to the United States. Take your cat to a regular veterinarian and get a Health Certificate. Then take only the Certificate to the BAI. You don't have to take the pet there. Or, you can not get the regular certificate and take your cat to the BAI. BAI will issue the federal health certificate and the export permit at the same time.
Also, please keep in mind that if you are trying to take your cat to Hawaii or Guam, there will be a mandatory quarantine period.
Two more tips:
Here's the CDC info on cat imports: http://www.cdc.gov/animalimportation/cats.html
It says rabies vaccination is not required by the federal government. Get it anyway, because most states require rabies vaccines.
The other tip is that when you get a carrier, be thorough in your research. You will have to get one that has metal bolts on the sides to hold it together. Take a look at this: http://www.dryfur.com/airline_carrier_kennel_reviews.htm
Two more tips:
Here's the CDC info on cat imports: http://www.cdc.gov/animalimportation/cats.html
It says rabies vaccination is not required by the federal government. Get it anyway, because most states require rabies vaccines.
The other tip is that when you get a carrier, be thorough in your research. You will have to get one that has metal bolts on the sides to hold it together. Take a look at this: http://www.dryfur.com/airline_carrier_kennel_reviews.htm
thank you very much, you're a big help.. really. we'll be flying via korean air and i know it's different from your delta procedures but.. do you have an idea what this custom documentation the website is talking about? Is this the same as the export permit? korean air says they need copies of it..
anyway, thanks again for the help. i just can't leave that cat behind even she once was a feral.. she's very sweet! i've been away only for months but i can't stop thinking about her. Thank you & please say Hi to your cat from me. God bless!
thank you very much, you're a big help.. really. we'll be flying via korean air and i know it's different from your delta procedures but.. do you have an idea what this custom documentation the website is talking about? Is this the same as the export permit? korean air says they need copies of it..
anyway, thanks again for the help. i just can't leave that cat behind even she once was a feral.. she's very sweet! i've been away only for months but i can't stop thinking about her. Thank you & please say Hi to your cat from me. God bless!
Give me the link to the page you're talking about and I'll read through it and let you know, but my first impression is to say that it's talking about import permits and customs papers, but the US doesn't issue or require those for cats.
I know what you mean. The cat mentioned in this post grew up under an apartment housing complex in the “void deck” area. The buildings in Singapore have no first floor. It's open concrete with benches and mailboxes and service access areas. She used to sleep in a potted plant. She was such a sweetheart, though that we couldn't leave her behind. She went with us to the Philippines and then to New York City. She lives with my mom now.
I hope it will be easy bringing my Yorkie to the US. I each state has different policies. But as far as I know, USDA-APHIS does not require any documents except for a screwworm certificate. Just waiting for a reply from my state Vet reprecentative (CDFA-California).
I'm planning to fly with Philippine Airlines. Should I just get Delta or Cathay instead. The reason I wanted PAL is because there won't be any lay over. It's a 13.5 hour straight flight (Manila to Los Angeles). Less stress for my dog. I know the bad part is I have to pay 200% of excess baggage fee, regardless if I have a check-in or not, which is $150 for 50lbs or less, so I'll be paying $300. But I don't mind.
I also check on your blog on how to get the Gov permit. Thank you very much. It was a great help
-Mike
I hope it will be easy bringing my Yorkie to the US. I each state has different policies. But as far as I know, USDA-APHIS does not require any documents except for a screwworm certificate. Just waiting for a reply from my state Vet reprecentative (CDFA-California).
I'm planning to fly with Philippine Airlines. Should I just get Delta or Cathay instead. The reason I wanted PAL is because there won't be any lay over. It's a 13.5 hour straight flight (Manila to Los Angeles). Less stress for my dog. I know the bad part is I have to pay 200% of excess baggage fee, regardless if I have a check-in or not, which is $150 for 50lbs or less, so I'll be paying $300. But I don't mind.
I also check on your blog on how to get the Gov permit. Thank you very much. It was a great help
-Mike
Hi Mike!
Best of luck with getting your dog into the US. I never did have to try to move a dog from country to country, but everything I've seen leads me to believe it's a lot more difficult.
I would say yes to flying on an airline that will have a nonstop run to wherever you're going, even if it's a bit more. The Delta flight I took (if I remember right) had a layover at Narita in Japan. I'm sure going up and down was more than enough for our cats, without that added terror.
Let me know how things go for you, and I'm glad the information I provided helped you out.
Hi Mike!
Best of luck with getting your dog into the US. I never did have to try to move a dog from country to country, but everything I've seen leads me to believe it's a lot more difficult.
I would say yes to flying on an airline that will have a nonstop run to wherever you're going, even if it's a bit more. The Delta flight I took (if I remember right) had a layover at Narita in Japan. I'm sure going up and down was more than enough for our cats, without that added terror.
Let me know how things go for you, and I'm glad the information I provided helped you out.
Hi Mike,
Your dog should be with you here in the US by now. I too am planning to bring our dog to the US from the Philippines. Did you end up flying via Philippine Airlines. I am planning to fly by PAL too because it is non stop. Hope you can share your experience. Would you recommend that I fly PAL? Thanks, Che
hello, im elisabeth, i want to bring my beagle dog sheldon back to my country indonesia, right now im in manila philippines, im so confused wher and what to start from, the export permit? import permit? i really dont want to leave my dog behind…please help meee
reach me by
email : kecoabuncid @yahoo.com
phone : 09064371480
bbm : 2858142e
thank you so very much
hello, im elisabeth, i want to bring my beagle dog sheldon back to my country indonesia, right now im in manila philippines, im so confused wher and what to start from, the export permit? import permit? i really dont want to leave my dog behind…please help meee
reach me by
email : kecoabuncid @yahoo.com
phone : 09064371480
bbm : 2858142e
thank you so very much
Hi Bradley, if you know anyone who would like to adopt a cat from the Philipipines please contact me, I am a volunteer for a cat shelter in Manila and we are looking for American adopters. I am based in Wisconsin and can handle all export and import procedures. My email is contact.me@zencats.org. Gia
Hi Bradley, if you know anyone who would like to adopt a cat from the Philipipines please contact me, I am a volunteer for a cat shelter in Manila and we are looking for American adopters. I am based in Wisconsin and can handle all export and import procedures. My email is contact.me@zencats.org. Gia
I wish you the best of luck in helping with the animal population in the Philippines. From first hand experience, the level of basic knowledge about animal care is just not up to par in that country. Most everyone I know in the US that likes cats has cats already, but if I find anyone that's interested in adopting foreign cats, I'll be sure to refer them to you.
Thank you Brad, this is very informative.
You’re welcome. I’m glad it helped out.
Hi Bradley, My dog and I moved to the Philippines last year and now we are ready to go back to US first week of Nov, Is it really mandatory that I should have him vaccinated 30days prior to flight? He’s last shots was from the year of 2010 before we left America, now I only have a few days left to move to the US and the 30days minimum seems to complicate my flight schedule. What do you think about this? –DDS
Hi Dee. From what I know, rabies shots are supposed to be updated yearly in areas with rabies anyway. Look at your shot record. Check the date of expiration for the vaccination. If that date has passed, you’ll have to look at other options. You may not be able to get an export permit if the dog hasn’t been vaccinated at least 30 days prior to receiving the export permit, since that’s how long it takes for the vaccine to be considered effective. If you can get one, when you arrive in the United States and your pet reaches your final destination, the pet will remain quarantined (at your expense) until you’ve reached 30 days past the date of vaccination, to ensure its effectiveness. There’s no way around it.
Please see the following links:
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/55/~/pets—dogs,-rabies-vaccines (shows 12 month requirement)
http://www.cdc.gov/animalimportation/dogs.html (has confinement agreement form)
Best of luck to you and your pet.
Hi. Bradley! You’re article is very comforting to me. Somehow, it eases the doubts that had been clouding my mind since the day we decided to bring our kitty Koby with us to Madagascar. Though, we’ll stay there for just 3 years, we cannot bear the thought of leaving him behind. He is just an ordinary domestic short hair, but very special to us, been with us since he was 5 days old, nurtured, trained and loved as a “child”.
Our destination might have different approach for import pets, but your shared experience casts light to my disheartened spirit. Actually, I am more concern of my kitty’s ability to cope with long hours of travel by air and by land, than all those paper works.
Your adventure with Marble is an encouragement to me. Thank you so much!!!
Wow! Madagascar! That should be an exciting adventure for both you and your cat! Three years is a long time. I couldn’t part with my cats for that long either!
I’m glad my blog post was helpful to you. Let me know how it all goes when you get settled in your new home!
Hello! I know it’s been a while since your post so I hope you can still read this.
I am planning to take my dog to Pennsylvania soon. I was wondering if the fee for carrying pets would vary by their weight or depends on what kind of animal. Also, did you have any long lay overs before you got to NYC? I hope to hear from you soon. Thank you very much! ^_^
Hi! From what I remember, the amount I paid to Delta was a flat rate. It didn’t vary based on weight or animal. I think it was 250 bucks. I’m sure that’s listed in the post somewhere, though. =) There was one layover, in Japan, but it was only about an hour and a half. When my wife took the same route (also with pets in tow) she didn’t even change planes. When I went through Japan, I had just enough time to have a smoke (quit 1.5 years ago) and walk to the next gate.
Thanks so much for your reply! Your post is really helpful, especially for pet parents who can’t leave their furry babies.
Oh one more thing, did they require you to go to a specific vet for the certificate or just a licensed vet will do? Thank you again!
I’m pretty sure it just has to be a licensed vet. We didn’t look at a specified list. We just went to the nearest vet in Antipolo. If in doubt on that one, call the BAI and double check. Can’t hurt! =)
Also, I’m glad you found the post helpful. I can’t imagine leaving my cats behind somewhere.
I agree!
will definitely do that soon. Thanks again so much for the tips!