VOICES - 4 - ANIMALS - OKINAWA

ATTENTION PET OWNERS COMING TO OKINAWA!

*Scroll down if you are LEAVING Okinawa for PRE-PCS TIPS!

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NEW!! NEW!!! NEW!!!!

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PCS PET IMPORTATION CHECK LIST!

*This information is courtesy of:  http://www.kadena.af.mil/newcomers.htm

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Pet rules

If you are bringing pets to Okinawa , please follow requirements below for cats and dogs traveling to Japan .  If you are traveling with a pet other than a cat or dog, we recommend that you contact the Embassy of Japan or a Japanese Consulate for specific requirements for that pet.

The new quarantine program for importation of pets into Japan went into full effect June 2005.  Below is an organized summary of the changes to help pet owners and their sponsors understand what needs to be done before an animal can enter Japan . For more information, visit www.18services.com/vetweb/japan.htm.

      1.) Vaccinations:  Dogs or cats must have documentation to prove their pet has had at least two rabies vaccinations at some point in their life.
            A.) The most recent vaccination must have been given not less than 30 days and not more than 12 months prior to entry into Japan.  In other words, the most recent vaccination should not be more than a year old, but has to be at least 30 days old.  You must have a rabies vaccination certificate (DD Form 2208, Rabies Vaccination Certificate) as proof of the most recent vaccination.
            B.) The dates for the two most recent vaccinations must be annotated on the health certificate (MDJ 2209, Veterinary Health Certificate for Import/Export for Japan ).  

      2.) Microchipping:  All animals must have an implanted microchip before arrival in Japan .  The microchip must be ISO-compatible.  HomeAgain^® and AVID^® microchips are acceptable.  The microchip number must be annotated on the Rabies Certificate, the Health Certificate, and on the FAVN test result form (see below).  

      3.) Fluorescent Antibody Viral Neutralization (FAVN) Test:  This is a blood test which shows the level of rabies antibodies in the animal's bloodstream.  It is basically used to prove that the animal is protected against rabies.  The titer level must be greater than or equal to 0.5 IU/mL to be acceptable.  The FAVN test results are good for two years.  The microchip number must be annotated on the FAVN test result form to be accepted.  

      4.) Advance Notification:  The pet owner must have approval from the Government of Japan to bring the pet into the country.  The request for permission is made as soon as the pet's transportation arrangements have been scheduled.  The advance notification form must be approved by the Government of Japan and returned to you for use when your pet boards the flight to Japan .  The airline may not allow your pet to board the plane without this form.  Furthermore, Japan may not allow your pet to enter the country without this form.  The advance notification form is found on the Japan District Veterinary Command (JDVC) website (http://www.usarj.army.mil/organization/vet/r_doc.htm).  The form must be submitted to the port of entry (not the final destination) either by fax or regular mail.  Addresses and fax numbers for Government of Japan ports of entry may be found at their website (http://www.maff-aqs.go.jp/english/soshiki/telephonelist.htm).  NOTE:  As of the date of printing, if the animal is arriving through an AMC terminal at Kadena Air Base or Yokota Air Base, advance notification is not needed.   

      5.) Health Certificate:  Every animal must have a health certificate with them at the time of entry.  The health certificate is only valid for 10 days, and so must be obtained within 10 days of the date of the pet's travel.  Please remember that animals traveling from the mainland United States will cross the international date line and "lose a day" by the time they arrive in Japan .  The MDJ Form 2209 (Veterinary Health Certificate for Import/Export for Japan ) may be completed by a military veterinarian.  The MDJ Form 2209 may be found on the Japan District Veterinary Command homepage (http://www.usarj.army.mil/organization/vet/r_doc.htm).  

      6.) USDA Certification:  If a health certificate is issued by a civilian veterinarian, the health certificate and the rabies certificate must be certified by a USDA State Veterinarian and embossed with the USDA raised seal.  Health certificates issued by military veterinarians using MDJ Form 2209 do not require USDA certification.  

      7.) Age Requirement:  The Government of Japan strongly discourages the importation of dogs and cats under the age of 10 months.  Pets under the age of 10 months will automatically be assigned the maximum quarantine period of 180 days.  Quarantine may be reduced if the requirements continue to be accomplished while the animal is in quarantine.  Primary emphasis is placed on microchipping, two rabies vaccinations (the first at 91 days of age followed by a second one no less than 30 days after the first), and the FAVN test which must be drawn no less than 30 days after the second rabies vaccination.  

      8.) MDJ Form 270 (Pet Quarantine and Examination Certificate; 2 copies):  All SOFA status personnel entering Japan are required to complete a MDJ 270.  The form may be downloaded from the Japan DVC website and completed prior to arrival in Japan .  You are required to submit the form to your US Military Veterinary Treatment Facility within 72 hours of entry into Japan .  

      The Government of Japan determines the length of quarantine period for any pets arriving in Japan .  Animals that satisfy all of the above requirements are typically allowed to complete a "home quarantine", during which time the animal is required to be kept under the owner's direct control (kept indoors or kept on a hand-held leash when outdoors).  Pets that do not meet the import requirements will be kept in a quarantine facility at the owner's expense.  It is recommended that all pet entry documentation, as well as the pet's medical record, be kept available for reference should any questions arise during travel and entry processing.

Pet Importation Checklist  

r     Rabies Vaccinations: Most recent vaccination certificate.
o    History of two vaccinations
o    Most recent vaccination given not less than 30 days and not more than 12 months prior to  
      arrival.  

r     Microchip: ISO compatible chip (HomeAgain^® and AVID^® microchips are acceptable).  Include the microchip number on the rabies certificate, health certificate and FAVN results form.  

r     Fluorescent Antibody Viral Neutralization (FAVN) Test: 
o     A passing level ³ 0.5 IU/ml.
o    Sent to an approved Laboratory:

 r     Advance Notification: Send notification to port of entry Animal Quarantine Service as soon as travel arrangements are known. 
o       Receive Notification Approval
o       Advance Notification Form:

JDVC Web site:(http://www.usarj.army.mil/organization/vet/r_doc.htm), or

MAFF Web site:
(http://www.maff-aqs.go.jp/english/ryoko/newquarantine-eng/systemqa/application.htm#tebiki)
Ports of Entry contact information: (http://www.maff-aqs.go.jp/english/soshiki/telephonelist.htm).
 

r     Health Certificate: Obtain within 10 days of arrival. 
o       Military Veterinarians may use the MDJ 2209  

r     USDA Certification: Required for all health certificates issued by civilian veterinarian. (Both health and rabies certificates must be endorsed with raised seal.)  

r     Age Requirement: Japan discourages importation of dogs and cats < 10 months old.  These steps apply:
o       Vaccination at ³ 91 days old.
o       Vaccination at ³ 121 days old.
o       FAVN test at ³ 151 days old. 

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PCS Info can also be found at:

http://www.okinawa.usmc.mil/Newcomer%20Info/Arrival%20Info%20Page.html

 

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Leaving Okinawa?

Here are some things you

should do before leaving!

 

1. GO TO OUR PET TRAVEL PAGE FOR AIRLINE PET REGS AND AIRLINE INFO!

2. VISIT THE WEBSITES OF THE AIRPORTS YOU WILL BE STOPPING AT ALONG YOUR ROUTE:  

• Find the link for AIRPORT SERVICES  
• Look for the PETS topic (or, use the airport's search engine, type in "PETS" - for the links) 
• Read WHERE the PET RELIEF AREAS ARE LOCATED in the terminals 
  
• SAVE copy of terminal map - and, using a photo or print program, MARK the PET RELIEF area on your map, along with the instructions from the website  
• Take the PET RELIEF MAPS with you in your carry on!

3. If you have connecting flights - CONTACT the airline BEFORE YOU LEAVE and ask HOW you can quickly have access to your cat or dog to check on its welfare, and give your pet an opportunity for "relief".

 

 

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