Hong Kong will slash the quarantine time for cats and dogs imported from mainland China from the current 120 days to 30 next month, amid calls to ease travel restrictions for pet owners and reduce cross-border animal smuggling.
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The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department revealed on Tuesday that the new rules would take effect on June 3.
“Cats and dogs imported from the mainland that meet the relevant quarantine requirements and are accompanied by an animal health certificate issued by mainland official veterinarians will have their quarantine period significantly reduced from the current 120 days to 30 days upon arrival in Hong Kong,” the department said.
“The new arrangements will facilitate animal owners in bringing their pet cats and dogs from the mainland to Hong Kong.”
Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan told a Legislative Council meeting on Tuesday that the main purpose of the quarantine arrangement for imported cats and dogs was to prevent animal diseases such as rabies from being introduced into Hong Kong.
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“Without compromising this purpose, the government is committed to making it easier for animal owners to bring their pet cats and dogs into Hong Kong,” he said.