One thing that most people look for in life is a companion, and pets are great for people looking for a loving partner. Check out our article on owning pets in Japan for more info.

When moving to a new country, people must decide what they want to bring with them. Some people have pets that they wish to bring along for the ride, while others find that they want a pet after starting their new life in a new country. There are a few steps you should follow for buying a new pet, and others for bringing your pet into the country of Japan. We will look at the different steps and rules associated with having a pet in Japan.

Bringing Your pet Into Japan

You would think that bringing your pet into a new country would be an easy task. But, there are a few rules for bringing pets into Japan. First, you should look for what qualifies as a pet in Japan. Some animals may not be qualified, or meet the requirements of what is a pet in Japan. You can find all the information on the national website of your home country and Japan. Different pets require different steps to get them into the country. We will look at the most common animals, dogs and cats, first.

First, you must give advanced notification that you are bringing a pet with you. This must be completed at least 40 days before your entry into Japan. You can find the proper paperwork on your country’s main websites concerning international travel.

Second, your pet must have a microchip implanted in them. Japan does not allow entry of dogs or cats if without an ISO compliant chip. If they have a different kind of chip implant, you will need to have a chip reader with you. Your pet must be chipped after the first or second vaccination.

Third, your pet must be up-to-date with all of its shots and vaccinations. Any pet who has not had proper vaccinations will be denied entry.

Fourth, your animal must be tested for rabies and antibodies at a recognized testing facility.

Fifth, the animals must wait 180 days after getting their results before being allowed entry into Japan. If they have not completed the required amount of days, they will be held in quarantine for the remainder of the 180 day wait.

Sixth, your pet must have a health certificate from an accredited veterinarian.

The rules for birds are having all of its veterinarian needs finished before travel, and quarantining the bird for 21 days before departure. There are some birds that are not recognized as pets in Japan, so make sure to check the list before trying to bring your bird to Japan.

Ferrets require health checks and certificates from a certified veterinarian. There are some other small rules, but they can be read at your countries website.

All of these steps are strictly enforced and if you find that your animal must be held in quarantine, you will have to pay a fee as well as take care of them at the facility they are being held at. It can be costly and your pet will only be allowed out at the times you are at the facility. It is not fair for the pet nor the owner, so make sure you follow all the required steps before bringing your pet.

Buying Your pet

Japan has a large number of pet stores in its cities and towns. They all have purebreed cats, dogs, and other smaller pets for people to own. Expect any purebred dog to come with a purebred price tag. Most pets are sold at a minimum of 100,000 yen, or 1,000 USD. There are also pounds and shelters in Japan that have adoption services. It is best to buy from an accredited shop as you may have problems when buying from breeders directly. Japan has a problem with illegal animals as well, so it is best to have the paperwork on your animals in case something happens.

Rules for Owning

Owning a pet is simple and is a fast task to complete. Whether you’re getting a dog or a hamster you only have to sign the receipt of purchase for the animal. If you want to add more security, you can choose to microchip your pet. Pets in Japan are seen as a luxury and don’t have as many rights as they may have in western countries. There are animal cruelty laws there but they aren’t strictly enforced and people have found loopholes in the system. You should have a leash when walking in public and a collar with owner information on the pet. Pets in Japan should be obtained with the thought of small living. The cities make it difficult for large pets to have the proper amount of room to run and play so small pets will work best there. Popular pets in Japan are hamsters, hedgehogs, birds, and small cats and dogs. There are cafes that allow patrons play-time with certain animals. You need to keep your dogs and cats up to date with all of their vaccinations and keep them in good health.

City vs Rural Life

When thinking about owning a pet in Japan, you should give a lot of thought about where you live. A labrador will have a harder time living in the city compared to the open rural areas. When it comes to city living, you should try to keep pet size as small as you can. Cats are very popular because they can do well in smaller apartments. Small dogs are also popular pets in Japan because they can handle apartment life well.

You must remember that you must clean up after your animal if they use the bathroom on the streets or in parks. The city streets are usually busy with cars and people passing by. The countryside is better suited to larger pets in Japan. They tend to have larger yards and open fields to run in. Apartment life is well suited for small rodents, fish, and small breeds of dogs and cats.

There are many things to look at before deciding to get a pet in Japan, and it is good to remember that any pet requires a large amount of responsibility. They can make your life better and give you companionship when you don’t have many people to be with. Make sure to pick the pet that best fits your living situation.