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Pets on Okinawa
Published Oct 11, 2018
This information is offered as a guide. Laws and regulations change.
If you find any factual errors then please let me know so that I can update.
Having our furry, scaly, or feathered friends in the home is a part of American famiy life. BRINGING YOUR PET TO OKINAWA (1)
1. Pet Microchip
2. Import Permit
3. Vaccinations
4. Blood Titer Test
5. Health Certificate
6. Internal and External Parasites
7. Countries that the Japan considers as rabies-free
8. Entering Japan by Air or Sea
9. Quarantine
10. Puppies and Kittens
11. Banned Breeds
12. Exporting Pets
13. Other Animals
14. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (SITES)
Japan Pet Passport & Import Regulations. (1) NOTE - U.S. Military members: your service may have restrictions and/or instructions that differ from Japanese law. Check with your service representative for current details. CARE OF YOUR PET WHILE ON OKINAWA Dogs that are at least 91 days old must be registered (once in their lifetime) and receive rabies vaccine once every year. Registration application fee: ¥3,000. (If you lose tag a reissue fee of ¥1,600 applies) (2)
Vaccination Fee (Regular Mass Vaccination) ¥2,450. If you miss the mass vaccination you can get it at a local veterinarian. Certificate Issuance fee: ¥550 (2) If identified as having abandoned your animal you can face fines up to ¥500,000. (2) LEAVING OKINAWA - SHIPPING PET BACK TO THE STATES
Recent changes in airline policies mean that returning pets will have to travel as cargo. Do not assume that if you have shipped your pet as accompanied baggage to post that you can ship your pet in the same way back into the United States. Individuals flying with animals into the United States should check with the airline you intend to fly to confirm its policies on live animals as excess baggage / cargo / and in-cabin. (4)
Returning to the United States with Pets
IPATA International Pet and Animal Transportation Association
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IF YOUR PET DIES WHILE ON OKINAWA
One woman's account - Thank you, Courtney Personious, for allowing me to share your experience.
I wanted to tell all of you about how the Japanese handle losing a pet. Here in Japan it’s quite different compared to what we do in America. In America, you usually bury your pet in the backyard under a beautiful tree, or you leave your baby at the vet to be cremated and then you come back to pick up the ashes another day. It’s not very common here to bury your pet in your backyard. You have the option, just like in America, to cremate your baby individually, or in a mass cremation. We were fortunate enough to be able to chose individual. When we arrived at the facility, the wonderful ladies that worked there, were waiting outside for our arrival. Even though we were 5 minutes late. They offered silence, soft greetings, and many bows. What I wouldn’t give to have been able to understand the kind words they were saying. They walked with us into the building and directed us to a small room in the back. They helped me set the box down on the tatami (traditional Japanese flooring) very slowly and gently. We were directed to wait for the rest of our people to arrive and then we could start. Once everyone was there, we filled out paperwork and then started. We took Zeus to another room. This room is the ceremony room where you say goodbye. In America, this would be considered morbid to most. I moved Zeus over to the base of the alter. We proceeded to cover him in flowers, toys, and treats and give him lots of pets. I know this doesn’t seem normal to most reading this, but this is how the Japanese do it, and I found it helpful in saying goodbye to my baby.
We then each were handed a burning incense, which we each took turns placing in the bowl to burn while we said goodbye. A bell was rang to signify his death, and we all bowed deeply to Zeus. We then said our final goodbyes. Zeus was very gently carried to the room next to us. We stayed behind, but weren’t very far away. We watched him be placed onto the tray, and then he was slid very slowly into the chamber. The door closed. We all bowed deeply again multiple times to baby Zeus. The woman then turned the chamber on. We were then directed to either leave and come back later for Zeus in about two to three hours, or stay behind and wait close by in the other room. I wanted to stay. I told him I wouldn’t leave his side throughout the whole process, and I didn’t. We waited the two hours, talking and laughing about memories of our beloved Zeus. Then when he was ready, the ladies placed him in my arms, and walked us to our car. They waited as the car pulled away and bowed one last time.
Pet Angel - Remember. Celebrate. Cherish. The mobile pet cremation service Company offering funeral service for pets opens in Okinawa City
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