Should I Bring My Pet To Japan

Our pet(s) are part of our family. Decisions whether or not to bring them to Japan are very personal and a concern for the Japan District Veterinary Command (JDVC). As of 6 June 2005, Japan began enforcing a new quarantine program which introduces requirements that may make bringing pet(s) into Japan costly and complicated. Recognizing the challenges and stresses involved with the new importation regulations, the JDVC strives to provide service members with the information they need to make the right decisions regarding their pet(s) and families. Service members have different options depending on the age of their pet(s) and the amount of time available to accomplish quarantine requirements before arriving in Japan. The following examples are intended to address likely scenarios service members will face.

Remember, the goal is to spend as many of the 180 post FAVN test days stateside to reduce or avoid quarantine time in Japan. Get started with the pet requirements immediately upon notification of movement to Japan. Acting quickly to satisfy importation requirements may greatly reduce the stress and cost of quarantining your pet(s) in Japan. All scenarios are based on receiving the microchip first, before continuing with rabies vaccinations (INACTIVATED) or FAVN testing procedures.

SCENARIO 1: I’m moving to Japan in less than 60 days and I haven’t sequentially completed microchipping, two rabies vaccinations (Inactivated), and the FAVN test.

ANSWER:

1. Immediately have the microchip and first rabies vaccine performed (Pets must be older than 3 months before receiving their first rabies vaccination). After 30 days have the second rabies vaccine given.

a. If your pet is over 12 months of age with a history of rabies vaccination, you may have the FAVN performed at the time of the second rabies vaccination. Your pet will be assessed quarantine time equal to 180 days minus the time since the blood was drawn for the FAVN at time of arrival.

b. If your pet is under 12 months of age then you will not have time before moving to Japan to have the FAVN performed 30 days after the second rabies vaccination. Therefore, you will be assessed a 180 day quarantine upon arrival (On-base home, on-base kennel, or designated off-base facility). There is no need to incur additional expense by continuing with the second vaccinations or the FAVN test.

2. Recognizing the costs (Potentially $2,700 in on-base kennels and $8,000 in off-base kennels) of boarding, if on-base home quarantine is not available, the service member may choose to leave their pet(s) stateside until 180 days after an acceptable FAVN test is obtained. The service member may even save money by returning to the United States for their pet in-lieu of incurring boarding costs in Japan.

3. If the service members can secure on-base housing, the pet can complete the 180 day home on-base quarantine at no cost to the service member. Service members are allowed to move pets from on-base kennels to on-base housing upon assignment of housing.

4. The service member utilizes their sponsor to secure an on-base family willing to care for their pet up to 180 days.

SCENARIO 2: I’m moving to Japan in over 60 but less than 210 days and I haven’t sequentially completed microchipping, two rabies vaccinations (Inactivated), and the FAVN test.

ANSWER:

1. Immediately have the microchip and first rabies vaccine performed (Pets must be older than 3 months before receiving their first rabies vaccination). After 30 days have the second rabies vaccine given.

a. If your pet is over 12 month of age with a history of rabies vaccination, you may have the FAVN performed at the time of the second rabies vaccination. Your pet will be assessed quarantine time equal to 180 days minus the time since the blood was drawn for the FAVN at time of arrival.

b. If your pet is under 12 months of age, the FAVN test must be performed 30 days or later after the second rabies vaccination. It may take up to 30 days to receive your FAVN test result and you, therefore, must plan to have at least 90 days before arrival into Japan. If the FAVN is acceptable, your pet will be assessed quarantine time equal to 180 days minus the time since the blood was drawn for the FAVN at time of arrival.

2. The last three answers of Scenario 1 still apply.

SCENARIO 3: I’m moving to Japan in over 210 days.

ANSWER:

1. You have time to avoid quarantine in Japan if you act quickly. On day 1, your pet receives its microchip and first rabies vaccination. On day 30, the second rabies vaccination is given.

a. If your pet is over 12 months of age with a history of rabies vaccinations (Inactivated) performed after microchipping then blood may be collected for the FAVN test on or after the second rabies vaccination. Dogs and cats over 12 months of age that have a valid FAVN test performed at the 30 day mark should be able to enter Japan at the 210 day mark without quarantine.

b. If your pet is less than 12 months of age, blood for the FAVN test must be collect 30 days or more after the second vaccination. The results for the FAVN test takes on average one month to be received. For pets under 12 months of age, 240 days will be required to complete the process without incurring a quarantine period.

SCENARIO 4: My pet already has a microchip. What do I need to do?

ANSWER:

1. If your pet already has a microchip that meets the ISO or ISO-compatible requirements of Japan, then any rabies vaccination that has been performed after that time is valid. At least, two rabies vaccinations are required after microchipping, with the second vaccination being the most recent and to be given during the effective period of the first rabies vaccine and within a year of arrival. Blood must be drawn for the FAVN test after the second rabies vaccination (at least 30 days for puppies and kittens) and begins the 180 day import waiting period for determining quarantine requirements. Please read the above scenarios depending on the amount of preparation time that you have available.

SCENARIO 5: I have an acceptable FAVN test but I don’t have two rabies vaccinations at proper time intervals, administered between the date of microchipping and the date of a passing FAVN test.

ANSWER:

1. The order and timing of microchipping, rabies vaccination, and FAVN testing is not flexible. Two rabies vaccinations are required between the time of microchipping and collecting blood for the FAVN test. The first rabies vaccine may be administered simultaneously on the same day as the microchip. The second vaccine must be given 30 days or more after the first vaccination date. The FAVN test must be performed after the second vaccine is administered. Any deviation in the order or timing will automatically result in 180 quarantine days.