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.