378. Big breeds in Singapore - expat housing

Toilet Training Your First Puppy in Singapore

E-mail enquiry from overseasKL wrote:

Ma'am:

I am considering a one- to two-year relocation to Singapore and would like to request your thoughts with regard to importing personal pets from the United States. Specifically, I am curious how difficult it would be to find rental housing which will accept larger dogs. I own a Shepherd mix (approximately 75 pounds) and a Coonhound (approximately 55 pounds). I anticipate my housing budget including utilities being approximately US$5,000.00 per month.

Your website, providing both real estate and pet information, leads me to believe you are the perfect expert for my question! I would also appreciate any insights you can provide with regard to Singapore animal importation requirements as well as living with larger dogs in Singapore in general.

Thanks very much in advance for any information you can provide.

Regards,
KL

E-mail reply
August 14, 2006 11.30 am. National Library, Victoria Street, 7th floor.

Judy has asked Manager Sharon to give you a list of properties for private house rent within your specifications and show you around if your company permits outside realtors. Some corporations do not permit and it is up to you to negotiate early if you want www.asiahomes.com realtors to service you.

I am Dr Sing, a veterinarian from www.toapayohvets.com
I will type a very quick reply to your doggy questions about Singapore on behalf of Judy.


HOUSING FOR LARGE BREEDS.
You need to rent a house with garden, preferably a bungalow or semi-detached with garden. Your budget is most likely sufficient for a semi-detached house in expatriate enclaves. This budget may also get you a cluster townhouse (communal pool but very small bedrooms, modern, 3-5 storeys) in the high class expatriate favoured residential estate of District 9 and 10

A bungalow in suburban areas may be possible at your budget but I doubt it as there is a big influx of expatriates coming into Singapore in 2006 and rentals have gone up while supply is very limited. 99% of landlords of houses permit dogs of various sizes.

CANINE LAWS. The Singapore Government has a 3-dog maximum per house. Since you have two, you are still law abiding. However, they need to be quarantined 4 weeks. You can visit them in quarantine station. They need rabies vaccination. I advise that you make sure they have updated their usual core vaccinations.

Distemper, hepatitis and parvoviral vaccines are fatal diseases for dogs. They are still around in Singapore, despite effective vaccination. Kennel cough vaccination is important for your dogs too as you may not be too happy when you find them coughing inside or after of quarantine if they get infected.

Dogs and puppies come from various parts of the world to meet at one place of accommodation, be they the quarantine or boarding kennels and not all of them are effectively vaccinated or protected.

HEAT STRESS. Don't let your dogs go out from 11 am - 4 pm if possible and provide shade and plenty of water. They will acclimatise.

I hope this e-mail answers your queries sufficiently. Let me know if you need more info. Best wishes.