Hong Kong’s Environment Minister, Tse Chin-wan, revealed plans to potentially reduce the lengthy quarantine period for imported pet dogs and cats. The current 120-day quarantine, one of the world’s longest, is under review by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
The quarantine duration in Hong Kong varies based on the origin of the pets, classified into three groups by the department:
Group I: Pets from countries like Britain, Australia, Ireland, and Hawaii are exempt from quarantine if vaccinated, chipped, and over two months old.
Group II: Countries such as the United States, Canada, Taiwan, Singapore, and Guam have quarantine waived for pets meeting vaccination and chipping requirements at five months old.
Group III: Pets from unspecified areas undergo a mandatory 120-day quarantine, incurring daily fees of HK$90 for dogs and HK$46 for cats.
Comparatively, other regions have shorter quarantine periods:
In mainland China, imported pets face a 30-day quarantine unless exempted based on specific criteria.
Japan mandates shorter quarantine periods with stringent vaccination and testing requirements.
Singapore categorizes imported pets based on rabies risk, with varying quarantine durations.
The need to relax Hong Kong’s quarantine rules stems from concerns raised by pet owners and veterinarians regarding the city’s stringent policies. Tse’s announcement follows queries from lawmaker Maggie Chan Man-ki regarding facilitating pet travel.
Pet owners welcome the potential relaxation, advocating for shorter quarantine periods, citing concerns about the well-being of their pets during prolonged isolation. Advocates suggest that reducing quarantine periods could mitigate illegal pet smuggling, which poses risks to animal welfare.
Notably, customs recorded a decrease in illegal pet imports in recent years, attributing the decline to stricter enforcement.
The proposed changes prompt varied reactions among pet owners, with opinions ranging from advocating for significantly shorter quarantine periods to emphasizing the importance of pet transport conditions.
While some suggest a seven-day to two-week quarantine for fully vaccinated pets, others emphasize the need for adequate transport conditions and potential government assistance in providing better facilities for pets during quarantine.
As discussions progress, stakeholders await the outcome of the department’s study on revising pet quarantine regulations in Hong Kong.
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