SINGAPORE — As the number of pets imported here continues to rise, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) has launched a new online system to make quarantine applications easier and faster for pet owners and importers.

Launched yesterday, the Quarantine Management System will let those bringing pets here from overseas find out if the animals meet the AVA’s quarantine requirements, check for available quarantine spaces and submit their application with the necessary documents.

With this one-stop online platform, quarantine spaces can be confirmed once applications have been approved, allowing owners and importers to make travel plans for the animals up to six months in advance. Previously, they had to do everything by post, fax or email and could only confirm a quarantine space about a month before the animal’s arrival.

As part of the AVA’s measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as rabies, imported animals from some countries like China, Malaysia and the United States have to be quarantined for up to 30 days.

Said an AVA spokesperson: “While Singapore has been free from rabies since 1953, we need to maintain vigilance and regulate animal import strictly as the disease is endemic in the region.

“The recent rabies outbreaks in Taiwan and Chile are a timely warning that Singaporeans should take heed and not take our rabies-free status for granted.”

According to theAVA, about 1,200 dogs and cats were quarantined at its Sembawang Animal Quarantine Station in the first 11 months of this year. Last year, 33 per cent of 3,700 imported pets were quarantined and 30 per cent of 3,900 imported pets were quarantined in the previous year.

Every pet is checked to make sure it is microchipped when it arrives at the quarantine station. Each dog or cat is given a full medical screening before it is taken to its quarters.

The quarantine station has 82 dog kennels, 54 of which are air-conditioned, and each is roughly the size of a standard office cubicle. Its quarantine cattery contains 60 units and half of those are air-conditioned.

Although the quarantine station provides each pet with a bed, food and water, owners are allowed to bring the pet’s own bed, food and toys to make their temporary stay comfortable. Dogs are walked twice a day and owners can visit their pets during certain hours, any day of the week.

Correction: The original article stated that "last year, 56 per cent of 2,190 imported pets were quarantined and 55 per cent of 2,070 imported pets were quarantined in the previous year". This is incorrect. Last year, 33 per cent of 3,700 imported pets were quarantined and 30 per cent of 3,900 imported pets were quarantined in the previous year. This article was edited at 3.43pm on Dec 26.