Job Discussion Forums

[The Boz]

Hi everyone. I have a dog that I'm pretty attached to and would like to bring it over to Thailand, but I'm unsure of the practicality of the whole thing. I won't have a job or a place to stay coming over so I'm wondering how easy it would be to find a place where I could stay with my dog while I searched for a job. Also, I'm wondering about the likelihood of finding housing with a fenced yard or a park nearby as my dog's fairly large. I guess overall I'm wondering if you think it'd be possible for me to bring my dog to Thailand. Thanks for your help = )

[JosephP]

The Boz writes, "Hi everyone. I have a dog that I'm pretty attached to and would like to bring it over to Thailand, but I'm unsure of the practicality of the whole thing. "

Bringing a large dog to Thailand isn't at all practical. If you can't bear the idea of leaving your dog I suggest you don't go to Thailand (or most other countries for that matter). Better you stay home with Fido.

[HariSeldon]

Sorry, The Boz, I'm going to hav to agree with the second poster.

While I can't offer you specific inormation, I know of a friend who had to jump through outrageous hoops to get medium-sized dog from California to Scotland. Even if money is no object, there are certain time-sensitive shots and paper-work that needs to be satisfied. I can't even imagine what it'd be like in Thailand.

Sorry mate,
Brian
BFD!

[tedkarma]

Fenced yards are quite possible.

But during your initial job hunt - putting up a large dog in an apartment - just ain't gonna work. You might consider sending for your dog once you are reasonably set up.

That said, there are thousands of little townhouses that rent quite cheaply - usually away from the city center - that have small yards (concrete really - though some will have grass). These are usually 2br, 1ba - and quite basic - but often rent for less than a very small apartment near the city center.

People here, at least in the urban and semi-urban areas, live quite close to each other - so it is also important to wonder if your dog is well behaved - as you'll be gone many hours a day. Will your dog be raising h*ll all day long? Thais generally love animals - but don't drive them nuts with a noisy dog.

Don't live in a Muslim area with a dog - they are considered "unclean" - on Phuket, specifically Kamala, there have been some poisonings. Maybe best to find an area with neighbors who also have dogs.

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Hello The Boz:

If you do decide to bring your dog, the link below should help with the nitty-gritty details regarding immigration:

http://www.dld.go.th/dcontrol/move/menu31e.html (Bureau of Disease Control and Veterinary Services)

Ruff, ruff!

[tedkarma]

Wow - a one month quarantine!? Did I read that correctly? (See item eight) If that is true - it will be a difficult and depressing 30 days for your dog. If you are serious - go to Thaivisa.com and ask on that forum (much more traffic) the experiences others have had bringing their animals. The laws and regulations of Thailand are not always uniformly applied.

Good luck!

[kenkannif]

I doubt the'll be quarantine, my friends brought a dog and a cat over and neither were quarantined. What type of dog is it? As some breeds are banned!

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Sawadee tedkarma & kenkannif:

The website above outlines the 'official' regulations.

At the airport, however, people seem to be having no problems with quarantine, provided the animal looks healthy, and you bring along the proper paperwork from your vet. (EDIT: please read Amy's update further down on this thread!)

I think item #8 is one of those "We reserve the right ... " kind of clauses. i.e. In theory, they can do it, but in reality, they don't.

[A.K.A.T.D.N.]

[A.K.A.T.D.N.]

One thing you do have to remember is that if you do let him off the lead, make sure he/she doesn't wander out of your sight. Other dogs there are quite wild, and quite territorial.

Carry a little stick with you and scare the alpha males out of sight. I once felt like a mahut walking my dog. Once he got away and about 20 dogs patrolled the darkness like lions, looking for him. I felt bad, so I dug a small nail into the stick just in case I needed to give them a poke.

Another good thing is to make neighborhood feedings and feed some of the leaders of the pack. They may be more friendly toward you, but probably not your buddy. Also, listen to the locals. But watch out for some who say it's safe. It's really not.

[amy_kakes]

We came to Bangkok last week with our cat, and though the airlines were very accomodating, it was somewhat of a hassle at the animal quarantine office at the airport. We had provided everything that was listed on the checklist they provided, but the man had a problem with the health certificate we provided. Apparantly, a health cert from a licensed vet is not enough. You need a health cert that is "official", has a government seal, etc. I do not know where to recieve these in the states, or how you would go about getting one, but be aware that you should get something with some type of government seal!

We eventually smiled enough that he let us through, but it was a mjor hassle at 1 AM in the morning. We have had some minor issues with the cat staying in hotels/ apartments, but everyone has been accomodating...feeding the cat in the kitchen of the hotel so he isn't in our room, etc...not sure about what they would do with a dog?

Hope that helps some! If we can help you with anymore specifics, please leave us a private message

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Hi Amy:

Welcome to Bangkok --- and thanks for updating this thread. Good luck at your new job!

[Veganette]

Not sure if y'all prefer people to start new threads or to hunt up old ones that are somewhat related.

Anyway, I'm thinking about moving to Thailand in the next year or so. I have two small dogs that are extremely well-behaved, healthy, and have never lived anywhere but apartments so are accustomed to small places.

Any updates on the bringing dog/s to Thailand situation? How safe is it to walk your dogs? Mine are ALWAYS leashed. Back when I had just one, I did once have to hold him over my head to get him out of reach of a wandering Rottweiler (though, once that dog put his front feet on my shoulders, he probably could have reached my little one had a passerby not decided to help out). Are there lots of strays? How aggressive are they towards smaller dogs? Especially towards, oh, say, little four pounder girl dogs that would hump a Husky if permitted? Neither of my dogs have ever bitten a person or another animal. Ever. One is 8 and the other is almost 2.

Also, what kind of dog food is available? Can you get a vet to order what you want if you guarantee to buy it and are willing to pay a lot more than the sticker price? My dogs are vegan, so I'm kinda particular about the kibble they have. Yes, they generally eat homecooked food, but I like for them to always have kibble available to snack upon.

What about medical costs? How expensive are things like heartword medication? Vaccinations? Both my dogs are already fixed, so I don't have that to worry about.

What about groomers? How expensive do they tend to be? Can they do a nice variety of cuts or do they tend to be of the "shave it all off" variety? I know, I'm really generalizing, but at this point, there is not much else I can do or ask for.

THANKS!!

[clock]

"my dogs are vegan"

You cannot be serious.........????
Are you insane? Dogs are CARNIVOROUS animals. They are designed to eat meat and pretty much nothing else, and you are feeding them vegetable mulch?? Why do you think they have those rows of dagger-sharp teeth? To chew their boiled carrot better?? I really feel sorry for those poor, deprived creatures

I strongly advise you not to come to Thailand

[Veganette]