If you wish to take your pet (dog, cat, bird etc.) to Sri Lanka, please be aware that you need a permit from the Director General (DG) of the Department of Animal Production & Health (APG) of Sri Lanka.

Applications to the Director General of the Department of Animal Production and Health (DG/APH ) have to be made using the relevant application form. Duly filled application forms should be sent to the DG/APH together with all the prescribed documents.

Preconditions for import of live animals are the following:

• Live animals (excluding poultry, dogs and cats) are required to be subjected to a pre-export quarantine in the country of export.
• Animals should accompany a Zoo-Sanitary Certificate’ issued by the Government Veterinary Authority in the exporting country.
• Animals will be subjected to an inspection by the Animal Quarantine Officers at the Port of Entry.
• All live animals will be subjected to post-export Quarantine by the importing country.

1. Documents to be submitted along with the application form:

• Specimen Health Certificate form which is to be obtained from the exporting country

2. Documents to be submitted at the time of clearance at the port of entry:

• Import Permit for animals can be obtained by visiting the website: http://www.daph.gov.lk 
• Zoo – Sanitary Certificate
• Pre-export Quarantine Certificate if this is not indicated in the Zoo-Sanitary Certificate.
• Vaccination Certificate in case of pet dogs and Cats.

Dogs, Cats, Monkeys not already vaccinate against rabies will be vaccinated on arrival. Cost of vaccine, transport etc. will have to be borne by the owner.

Dogs should be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvoviros and kennel cough. Cats should be vaccinated against feline infectious enteritis and respiratory viral diseases.

Contact details are as follows:

Director General, Department of Animal , Production & Health, 1120, Kandy Road, Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka, Tel. 00-94-8-388195 / 388462 / 388563, Fax. 00-94-8-388619, E-Mail: dgaphamara@sltnet.lk, Website: http://www.daph.gov.lk

The Animal Quarantine Offices at Katunayake can be contacted via Tel 252861 or at 41, Morgan Road, Colombo 2, Sri Lanka

If you take your pet without a prior permit to Sri Lanka, your pet will be re-exported to your country (of origin).