What do I have to do to ship a dog to Taiwan?

Question

My son moved to Taiwan a couple of weeks ago and left his 7-month-old, 8-pound Yorkshire Terrier/Maltese mix with my husband and I. My allergies are kicking up and I need to ship the dog to him in Taiwan. How do I get started? What do I need to do?

Answer 1

The process isn't really complicated as long as you find a vet who has experience with immigrating pets. There are only a few foms that your vet has to prepare and rabies, id chip , and blood tests. You take the info the vet has prepared and turn it in with your application process to Taiwan. The vet costs will run you less than 250-300 dollars, and you will also have to pay for airfare and application costs. Your pet will then be in quarantine for 21 days in Taiwan. Just remember, your pet only has a 6 month window to travel after the date of the blood test. Your pet can leave the country 6 months after the blood test, but before a year has passed.

For more info as to where you can download the application , etc, go to http://www.pettravel.com/immigration/taiwan.cfm

Answer 2

I believe the quarantine is close to 6 months. Taiwan does not have rabies. China and Philippines do.

Why not get one in Taiwan? It's full of what I used to call pocket dogs.... ~~~ oh it's you that has the problem. Depending on how long he plans to stay there, sell the dog or pawn him off to somebody else. It's definitely not worth shipping to Taiwan.

Answer 3

Taiwan has very strict regulations (and rightly so) about bringing animals into the country. I believe the dog would be subject to several weeks, maybe even months, of quarantine.

Answer 4

Check with your local government veteranary authority for their particular rules and fees about shipping out the dog. Prices vary based upon if it is spayed/neutered or not... I think i remember they will not accept an un-fixed animal but I may be wrong.

check: Alloexpat.com (clearer english explanation) http://www.taiwan.alloexpat.com/taiwan_information/pets_to_bring_into_taiwan.php

for importation forms
http://homepage.ntu.edu.tw/~quarantine/english.htm

--you need to get the dog rabies tests and a shot 6 months before shipping. upon arrival the dog is subject to 21 days of quarantine for 'observation'. Then your son can claim the dog.
The average airline cost to ship is about 200US$ You need a large cage that the animal can COMFORTABLY stand up, turn around and move in. (150$ ish)
The cost of rabies shots is about 25$ish.
The cost of a veterinary inspection about 25$ish.
The cost of having the dog in quarantine is about 60$ US i believe for the 21 days. -(this may be changed) I can be wrong on any of the numbers above- i am just remembering from my research into bringing my dog into taiwan last year... I never did. It most likely doubles the price your son paid for the dog.

-MY OPINION: (dont read any further if you dont want to hear)
all told it is a long tedious seven month process. Lots of papers. 3 weeks quarantine isnt SO bad but the dog will come out a bit different than the dog your son knew. (observation from other people who did it to their dogs- their story not mine.) I am not entirely clear how well they treat dogs at the center, but i do know 24 hours inside cages, no exercise and irregular feeding by uncaring low paid drones is kindof standard for government 'dog care' facilities. They still are asian in culture which tends to eat dogs and sees animals as food resources (for good historic reasons we must respect), not as family or companions like Northern European cultures do (also for our own historic good reasons).

they are very strict about importation (for good reasons- the stray animal population and puppy factory problem is horrendous. Not to mention the high density and the lack of responsible owners who clean up after their dogs. A large reason why the country smells inside the cities is due to irresponsible owners letting their dogs **** everywhere. If your son is here to party and was not responsible for his dog in your country (ie walking it everyday and training it by himself to a good degree) I dont think this is the place for a young fresh university grad to learn how to take care of a living animal. He should start with plants (sucessfully) before getting dogs.

I would say ask your son if it is OK for you to find a new owner, and put some ads up on Craigslist.com in your area. Advertise in the papers. Dont get rid of it until you know you have a good owner, unless the allergies are life threatening. If your son has issues with it in the end remind him that your health should be more important than the dog he abandoned.
If he truely will return within a few months and you can tolerate the dog a bit longer- do so and give it back.
If he is likely to continue to stay in Taiwan, I would take your lives into your own hands and just get the dog a new home in your own country, and perhaps set up some way for your son to contact the new owners/keepers if he is interested in paying them a monthly fee to take care of the dog for him look into that option.
Sorry for the blunt opinion. Look into it.