Macau's Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) said in a statement yesterday that, "in order to further facilitate pet owners bringing their dogs and cats into Macau, improve customs clearance and inspection procedures, and maintain consistent safety standards for epidemic prevention", it has adjusted its inspection policy for imported dogs and cats in accordance with the latest technical recommendations from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).*
The adjustment took effect yesterday.
From now on, according to the statement, dogs and cats from rabies-affected countries or regions will no longer be required to undergo quarantine, provided that they meet the specified pre-entry inspection requirements and pass an inspection by an IAM veterinary surgeon upon arrival in Macau. "This represents a significant improvement in convenience compared with the previous mandatory 30-day quarantine requirement for dogs and cats upon entry", the bureau said.
The bureau pointed out that rabies is an animal disease that is required to be declared in Macau and is also one of the key diseases that the WOAH prioritises for prevention and control. According to the organisation's latest technical recommendations, inspection policies should be based on risk assessment to prevent imported rabies cases, taking into account the risk rating of the exporting country or region. Effective pre-entry inspection measures, such as microchipping, vaccination, and antibody testing, may replace quarantine for imported dogs and cats.
The bureau underlined that it has reviewed past quarantine measures and referred to relevant technical guidelines, "further optimising inspection arrangements for imported dogs and cats based on the principle of risk-based management".
As of yesterday, dogs and cats from rabies-affected countries or regions are exempt from quarantine upon arrival in Macau, provided that they meet the specific pre-entry inspection requirements, including: having a compliant microchip implanted in the exporting country or region (ISO 11784/11785); completing rabies vaccination; possessing a valid rabies antibody test report and a health certificate issued by an official veterinary surgeon; and passing the inspection by an IAM veterinary surgeon.
"These optimisation measures enhance customs clearance convenience without lowering standards for epidemic prevention", the bureau said, adding that if dogs or cats arrive in Macau with incomplete documents or fail to meet the relevant import inspection requirements, owners will be responsible for arranging the animals’ return to their country of origin at their own expense".
The bureau also said in the statement that it will continue to implement science-based and precise inspection supervision to strictly prevent the introduction of animal diseases.
For specific import inspection requirements and application procedures for dogs and cats, members of the public may visit the Macau Animal Health Control website at www.iam.gov.mo/canil or call the Civic Service Hotline 28337676 for enquiries.
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The Paris-based World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) is an international intergovernmental organisation that works to improve animal health worldwide. It supports countries in preventing, controlling, and reporting animal diseases, and it develops international standards and guidelines used to guide disease surveillance, diagnosis, and biosecurity, helping reduce the spread of outbreaks and support safe trade in animals and animal products. - Poe
August 2007 photo of an eight-month-old Siamese male cat – Photo courtesy of Karin Langner-Bahmann/Wikimedia Commons
