IATA Standard Pet Travel Crates - in Sri Lanka

At Pet Travels Lanka, we are able to provide custom made International Pet travel Crates for Dogs made according to IATA standards. It is also possible to make flight kennels for Cats, but, it is recommended to purchase the plastic pre-cast travel crates for cats because it weighs less, therefore it saves the cost of air freight... (contact us for more details)

We are also able to provide custom-made wooden crates made according to standards, which will cost you very much less than the plastic crates. We are also able to fumigate / heat-treat the crates according to requirements of different destination countries. (contact us for more details)

Ban on Importing Cats to Sri Lanka from BSE affected Countries - Lifted!!!

This will be excellent news for those Pet lovers who are looking to travel to Sri Lanka with their beloved pets!!!

Since the threat of BSE (Bovine spongiform encephalopathy), Sri Lanka put a ban on importing cats from BSE affected countries. So, many pet loves were unable to bring their pets cats along to Sri Lanka. The main reason being that there is no method of testing available to identify this decease in Live cats.

But it sure is wonderful news to here that the Government has now lifted that ban!!

But all those who are going to import your pet cats need to make sure that you watch your cat very carefully. If there is any change in the cat or if the cat falls sick, then you have to notify the quarantine office immediately.

But, Please note; that their official website has still not been amended accordingly...

Importing Pet Birds to Sri Lanka

Import of Pet Birds to Sri Lanka can be a bit more complicated than importing cats or Dogs... specially if they are exotic birds...



First, a Letter of request needs to be sent to the Department of Animal Production and Health (DAPH) in Sri Lanka, along with a short detail of your pet/s (breed, no. of animals, expected date of travel, reason for import, etc.) plus details of the importer... Once they review your request, they will inform you of the health requirements and the documents needed for the particular import. You may have to take CITIES permit as well... depending on the import requirements for the particular type of bird you are looking to import...


Remember...., before you send in the application for CITIES permit (if needed), make sure that you have prepared the cage and the surrounding according to specifications given in CITIES under the specific category your bird belongs to. Because the officers will inspect the premises where the bird will be kept, before they issue the CITIES permit... CITIES permit issued by the Department of Wildlife in Sri Lanka.

Rabies Antibody Test (Rabies Serology Test) - How do I get this done when in Sri Lanka???

Many have questions about the Rabies Antibody Test (RNATT) or the Rabies Serology Test, specially when residing in Sri Lanka, expecting to export your Pet Dog/Cat... We have answered many of the common question regarding this...

Why is the Rabies serology test done for dogs/cats to be exported from Sri Lanka?
A valid rabies vaccination on its own is not sufficient for dogs and cats to enter certain countries with "Rabies free" status, from countries classified as "Third countries" with an unfavorable rabies status, which includes Sri Lanka. All dogs and cats from "third countries" have to demonstrate a neutralizing Rabies Antibody titre of at least 0.5 IU/ml of serum to be eligible for importation into the EU and other countries with "rabies free" status.

When should this test be done?
Within minimum of thirty (30) days and a maximum of six (06) months after the last Rabies vaccination.

Any special requirements before doing this test?
Yes. 
one - the test should be done within the above period.
 two - the dog/cat needs to be microchiped before the test is done.

How is this test done?
Blood will need to be drawn by a Vet, then be separated. Then the separated serum (minimum 1 ml serum) should be sent to an approved Laboratory for testing. 

Where in Sri Lanka do they perform this test?
There is no approved Laboratory to perform this this test in Sri Lanka. All samples are sent to an approved Laboratory overseas through special medical courier.

How do I get a serum sample and send it overseas then? What about the microchip?
We can get the samples couriered to the specified approved Laboratory. Please contact us for more details). 

We provide high quality ISO standard microchips for a very reasonable price and we possess a scanner as well. Therefore you do not need to worry about the functioning of the microchip, as well will certainly test it prior and post installation.

We can courier the microchips to any location in Sri Lanka through reliable inland courier services.

What if I live very far from Colombo and finds it difficult to take the animal down to Colombo for testing?
Don't worry... We can make arrangements so that you don't have to travel with your pet to Colombo at all!! (contact us for more details) 

What would be the cost?
The charges will be around USD 350 (an exact quote can be given at the time of request) for the whole process of testing (sampling, courier & testing), excluding the microchips...

How will I receive the test results?
You will receive the results by post to your Sri Lankan address within about 2 - 3 weeks. Make sure to provide the correct address and contact number in the sample submission form. Remember, you will need the original of the Rabies Serology test certificate to apply for the export permit...

Health requirements for importing Cats to Sri Lanka

The importer should forward an International Veterinary Certificate issued by the Government Veterinary Authority in the exporting country of cats attesting that;

• The cat is clinically healthy, free from signs of any infectious and contagious diseases at the time of dispatch;

•  The cat  was not in contact with any animal showing any clinical signs of any infectious or contagious disease including rabies, Aujeszky’s disease, Filariasis, Leptospirosis for a period of minimum three (03) months immediately prior to embarkation;

•  The  cat has been vaccinated using recognized vaccines against feline  panleucopaenia and rabies not less than thirty (30) days and not more than six (06) months immediately prior to embarkation;

•  The cat has been  treated for intestinal parasites using  a broad- spectrum anthelmintic and, treated for external parasites within seven (07) days immediately prior to shipment using a reliable parasiticide;.

•  The  cat has been free from any blood parasite (blood test reports should be forwarded as proof).

• Cats are not allowed to be imported from  BSE( Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy /mad cow disease) infected  countries.  (List of countries with BSE infestation - according to risk status)

Bringing Pet Dogs/cats/birds to Sri Lanka on Holiday...

Many of us like to take our family's best friend, on vacation. But, if you are planning to come to Sri Lanka on holiday or for a short stay with your Pet, there are a few things you need to consider...

Which country are you coming from? to which country are you planning to visit next? 

If you are visiting Sri Lanka from a country that has attained the "Rabies free" status, or if you are planning to visit a country with "Rabies free" status, as you next destination, you need to know that there will be a minimum of a 3 - 4 month waiting period in Sri Lanka.

Since Sri Lanka is a country with "high risk of Rabies", you will need the Rabies test to be done for your Pet (Dog/Cat)... Then the Pet will have to stay in Sri Lanka for the above mentioned period, before you are allowed to apply for the export permit for your Pet.

This test cannot be performed in Sri Lanka and it will cost nearly USD 200 or more...

So, my advice is, don't bring your pets in to Sri Lanka for a holiday, unless, the duration of the stay is at least one year... specilly from countries with "Rabies free status"...

Even if you taking Pets to countries with the risk of Rabies, still, the pet will have to be kept in Sri Lanka for a minimum period of three (03) months... or more...

Health Requirements for importing Pet Dogs to Sri Lanka

1.  The Importer should forward an International Veterinary Certificate attesting the following...

·         Dog has been kept in the exporting country  since birth or for the  six (06) months period immediately prior to export to Sri Lanka ;

·         Dog was found to be free of any infectious or any contagious diseases at the time of dispatch;

·     The dog was not in contact with any animals showing any clinical sign of any infectious or contagious disease including Aujeszky's disease, Filariasis, Leptospirosis, Rabies, Canine distemper, Infectious hepatitis, Canine parvo virus infection, and Dermatomycosis for a period of minimum three (03) months immediately prior to embarkation;

·         The exporting country  of the animal is either free from rabies. If not, the origin of the animal is an area free from quarantine restrictions for rabies and not within a radius of  25 km from the nearest known case of rabies during the period of minimum six (06) months immediately prior to embarkation;

2.  Vaccination & blood test requirements

·    The exporting country  of the animal is free from heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infestation, Leishmaniasis. For heartworm infestation, a test have been carried out with negative test result if not country free status should declared by a government veterinarian. The dog is free from any blood parasite.

·    The animal was vaccinated against Rabies using an anti-rabies vaccine conforming to the potency standard given by the World Health Organization (WHO), not less than thirty (30) days and not more than six (06) months immediately prior to embarkation;

·      In case of puppies under the age of three (03) months, the Dam of the animal had been vaccinated against Rabies not less than thirty (30) days and not more than six (06) months prior to the birth of this animal;

·   The animal was  vaccinated using recognized vaccines against Canine distemper,    Infectious hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Canine parvo virus infection not less than twenty one (21) days and not more than four (04) months immediately prior to embarkation;

3.  Other

·    The animal was treated within seven (07) days prior to shipment with a broad- spectrum anthelminthic recognized for its ability to eliminate internal helminths of dog.

·    The animal was treated for external parasites within seven (07) days immediately prior  to shipment using a reliable parasiticide.

Planning your Pet's Journey (pet export from Sri Lanka) - Expected time of travel...

As a pet travel consultant in Sri Lanka, I have had many clients who wants to travel with their pets (pet export) and have already set dates, before they require my assistance to make arrangements for the relocation ... And often they are disappointed when they find out that their Pet cannot be exported on the planned date, but, the exporting will have to be delayed in weeks maybe months...!!

So,  Does it matter "WHEN" I AM PLANNING TO EXPORT MY PET (dogs/cats/birds/other animals) out of Sri Lanka?
YES!! it does matter! It matters a great deal... lets find out why??

There are many regulations involved in the pet transport (pet export/import) industry, Mainly for the purpose of decease control (Rabies, Heartworm, etc.), and to avoid some animals from being imported or exported from  certain countries (risk of invasion, risk of ferocious animals being a threat to the public, illegal trade, protection of endangered species, etc.). Apart from that, the Airlines have their own regulations regarding pet transport...

Some "Importing countries with Rabies free status" have categorized the "exporting countries", based on the "Rabies Risk factor", and Sri Lanka fall in the category of "high risk of Rabies". Countries under to each different category, needs to fulfill a different set of requirements, before the Pet can enter the "Importing country".

Getting all the requirements in-place takes time, mostly because many of the "importing countries" have declared minimum waiting periods after the Pet's last valid rabies vaccination (minimum 30 days to 06 months) before the Pet can actually enter the "importing country".

This is WHY your Pet's relocation needs to be thought about and planned early.

Planning your Pet's Journey out of Sri Lanka - First thing to remember when exporting pets from Sri Lanka

If you are planning to travel to another country Sri Lanka (migrate or long term stay), and if you want to take your beloved Pet pal with you, then you need to carefully plan your Pet's whole journey along with yours...!

Pet's cannot travel in to different countries as easily as we travel. There are many things involved in it, and the worst thing is, if you are not able to fullfill the requirements, your Pet will have to suffer the consiquences!!
-  Extended period of quarantine (at your expense...)
-  The Pet being returned to the country of export (again... at your expense...)
-  or they might even decide to destroy the Pet!!

So you see, having all requirements fulfilled and having all paperwork in place is essential...

A Little piece of advice...
**some agents might say that they can try to sneak the pet in some how..., but my advice is, don't... don't try to take chances with this sort of thing... remember... the poor thing will have to suffer the consequences...

Looking to Import a Tortoise / Turtle in to Sri Lanka??

Mediterranean Tortoise

For those of you who are thinking of importing Tortoises/Turtles as Pets to Sri Lanka, we have sad news to offer...!! As a leading pet relocation service provider in Sri Lanka, we would like to draw your attention to the matter of importing a Tortoise / Turtle to Sri Lanka...

African Spurred Tortoise

Tortoises/Turtles are NOT ALLOWED to be imported to Sri Lanka anymore as Pets or for any other commercial purpose... except for licensed Zoological gardens... As many of these Species are already protected by CITES, some countries have extra laws covering trade an import/export of these animals.

Red Eared Turtle

Even though some of these Animals can be imported/exported under special permits, The Department of Wildlife, Sri Lanka or the Department of Animal Production & Health, Sri Lanka, will not be issuing permits to import these animals as Pets or for any other commercial purpose, except for Zoological Gardens under special permission.

The officials stated the main reason for taking this kind of a decision regarding Tortoises/Turtles is that there is the risk of them being invasive. If the animals are released in to the environment (even by accident) there is a chance they can adapt to the environment, breed and increase in number, probably difficult to be tolerated by the environment in Sri Lanka. The rapid increase of "Red Eared Turtle" population in Sri Lanka is an example to this...

So... if you are planning to visit or reside in Sri Lanka, and if you have a "Shelly friend" you want to bring along, sorry; permissions will not be granted... Therefore I suggest that you work on finding a family to adopt your little friend... I know it's hard... but, it is for the best...

Pet Travels Sri Lanka

Are you looking to travel with your Pet to Sri Lanka? (pet import to Sri Lanka)

or...

Are you planning to leave Sri Lanka and return to your country, and wanting to take your Pet with you? (pet export from Sri Lanka)

Pet Travels Sri Lanka Offers you the solutions for relocating you pets (dogs, cats, birds, other animals) in/out of Sri Lanka... 


Pet Travels Sri Lanka is a professional Pet relocation Service Provider (pet import/export), based in Sri Lanka. We are connected to a network of expert pet relocation service providers around the world, assuring you a complete, customized pet relocation plan for your dog/cat/bird...


So... Let us deal with the hazzle of arranging your pet's journey and be the travel assistant for your Pet, providing a quality, reliable, efficient and cost effective service... 

CALL :  0094-(0)-779-457621