This is a question I get asked quite often since we returned to Singapore.
But before I get to that, it has been a shocking 3 whole months of no posts on this blog. Getting adjusted to a new lifestyle and split household living is taking longer than expected. But we are getting there. I will try my best to get back to once a moth postings but no promises.
So back to today’s post.
It’s a valid question – after all, our Lexi was born and raised in a four-season country, enjoying much cooler climates.
We think she has done very well. Except for the initial bout of stomach issues (see this January post), she seems to have adjusted and is enjoying life here. I know she misses being able to go everywhere with us and riding on public transport but we try to take her with us whenever we can and we go on special outings just for her. While things are different here, she has been showered with lots of additional attention from my Mum and Brother and of course, from Tobias, whose room is once again her sleeping quarters.
Here’s a little photo gallery of Lexi adventures in Singapore (Dec 2024 to June 2025):
Lovely Dog Friendly RestuarantNew toy – ShibaMeeting other dogs at the dog runFirst vet visit in SingaporeMet a giant lizard at the Botanic GardensEnjoying my new bedCar ride – Pawrents now use car sharing appAround our neighbourhoodAt a Pet CafeNew breakfast routineAt the beachAt the playgroundWaiting for more doggy friends to join usThey have some strange treesResting on a park benchChasing squrrielsRainy day walkAt the beach againNo longer interested to chase ballsClaiming my spot on the sofaNew kibble – i likeJust being meAt a beach barAnother new toy – Baby OtterOn Corny IslandWhat is that green stuff?These weird shell creatures??Bigger Hooman Family – More laps to rest onAt the rail corridorAt a rooftop garden
So in my last post, I talked a little bit about the paperwork we need to bring Lexi with us to Singapore.
Good news! She got enough rabies antibodies so we can now book our flight. There are a few more steps to go but at least that’s a big hurdle cleared.
What are the steps to take a dog from one country to another? Well, every country has its own regulations so I can only speak about moving from Switzerland to Singapore. It’s a good thing that pet care is of a similar standard in both countries which makes things a little easier.
First, you have to find out the regulations. Then you have to work out a timeline of what forms and tests need to be completed and when you can apply for the different licenses and permits.
For Singapore, a rabies blood test needs to be done 90 days before entry into country. If your dog has not had the rabies jab, then you need to do that, wait 28 days, then do the blood test. If the blood test comes back showing lower than the required amount of antibodies, you would have to do the rabies jab (again), wait 28 days and do the blood test again. So basically, only 90 days after the date of blood sampling for the rabies antibodies test can you enter Singapore, assuming the test shows enough antibodies.
Then you apply for a dog license which is fairly straightforward. Singapore is now requiring new pet owners (first-time applicants) to go through a 30-mins pet ownership course online. Depending on the speed of your internet connection, it can take a few minutes for each video to load. If your dog breed is not allow at your Singapore residence (HDB has a list of approved breeds), then you need to apply for approval (we are still waiting for a reply on this).
After getting the dog license, you apply for an import license, which is only valid for 30 days, so you have to make sure to apply for it at the right time.
Sometime between getting the dog license and the other steps, you should book your flight and reserve space for your dog. Get your dog an IATA-approved flight crate and get your dog used to spending time in it. Note that only small dogs are allowed in cabin, every airline has its own regulations so check with the airline. They will also have paperwork you have to complete.
Then you apply for GST exemption (assuming you are not a pet store importing puppies for sale).
5 days before arrival, book your inspection slot at CAPQ (Changi Animal and Plant Quarantine). If you are coming from a country on Schedule I (check on the AVS website), there are additional steps and quarantine requirements.
2 to 7 days before arrival, you need to visit your vet and have the vet fill in the required health declaration forms and have the cantonal authorities stamp the form. At this vet visit, the vet should also administer parasite treatments.
Upon arrival, your dog goes directly from the plane to CAPQ and you go through immigration as normal and drive to CAPQ to collect your dog.
Phew!
We are not there yet. But we hope it will all go smoothly. Please continue to send us positive vibes for this process.
I think emotionally it’s a huge move for our little doggie. She knows something is up; furniture is disappearing, lots of strangers coming to take things away which has made her more reactive than usual. But she has been a trooper – doing so well with her flight crate training. Here are a few photos of our beloved Lexi:
Refusing to move off her beloved sofa which was taken awayGetting comfortable in her flight crateShowing off her summer trim (in autumn) ready for SG weatherLooking lovely after a nice trim
So we brought Lexi home when she was 9 weeks old, it has been almost 3 months and she is 5 months old now. It has been a steep learning curve but it had it’s funny, lovely moments too.
We have had quite a journey with her, medically. She has had a very serious bacterial ear infection, which took 3 weeks of treatment to clear up, immediately following that she had an eye irritation/infection, which saw her in the cone for a week. All that set her back on her vaccination schedule which means we start all over again with the vaccinations. Now it seems she has caught a cold 😦
But on the upside, we finished puppy school and are now in young dog school and it’s going good. She does not do as she is supposed to at class, but at home, it works fine and that’s the important part.
Left to Right: Lexi August 2018, Lexi September 2018, Lexi October 2018, Lexi November 2018
Other than that, we have found out that she is definitely NOT a food-motivated dog. She does not even come when you put down her food, except when she was on the cortisone for 3 weeks and the meds made her hungry.
She is teething now and with a slight cold, i suppose going off food for a bit is usual. i just wished it was not such a struggle to get her to eat regularly. It’s a question we will have to ask the vet when we go for the next jab in a couple of weeks.
Another positive is that i think (fingers-crossed) we got the pee situation down, she only goes outside now. And she is doing better with being left for a couple hours at home, when needed.
Despite the various worries, the joys of having her around is wonderful! She is a sweet-pea and we love her!
trippingdifferently 