If you want to visit Sri Lanka with a pet, you need to go through careful preparation and arrange all the necessary documents in advance. To be allowed to enter Sri Lanka, your pet (dog or cat) must meet the veterinary and sanitary requirements of the country.

Before leaving for Sri Lanka, it is important to:

• Fill out and obtain a pet import permit in the formon the official website of the Department of Animal Production and Health;

• Send an application to the Department of Animal Production and Health at least 2 weeks before departure in order to receive the latest information on the veterinary requirements of Sri Lanka. Based on the data received, you will be able to issue a veterinary certificate in your country. Consideration of the application may take up to 7 working days;

• Obtain a veterinary certificate completed by an authorized veterinarian in the country of export;

• Insert a microchip to identify the pet;

• Vaccinate animals against rabies with a vaccine that complies with World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Vaccination must be carried out at least 30 days and no more than 10 months before arrival;

• Before departure, the pet must be examined by an approved veterinarian, according to the results of which the pet must be free of signs of infectious and contagious diseases.

In addition to the above requirements, dogs and cats must have a few other mandatory vaccinations, as well as undergo parasite treatment before leaving for Sri Lanka.

Mandatory requirements for the import of dogs:

• Dogs must be vaccinated against canine distemper, infectious hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus at least 21 days and no more than 10 months before arrival;

• Animals must be treated for dog helminths and external parasites within ten days prior to departure;

• Vaccination and treatment details must be included on the pet's veterinary certificate.

Mandatory requirements for the import of cats:

• Cats must be vaccinated against feline rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus and panleukopenia at least 30 days and no more than 10 months prior to arrival;

• Animals must be treated for intestinal and external parasites within ten days prior to departure;

• Vaccination and treatment details must be included on the pet's veterinary certificate.

Upon arrival in Sri Lanka, the pet owner must provide the documents (Veterinary Certificate, original test reports, vaccination, and pest control records) to the quarantine officer at Katunayake Airport. You must report your arrival 2 days in advance by contacting the quarantine station by phone: 0112253430, 0112263950 or 0112263952.

At the Katunayake Airport Quarantine Station, your pet will be examined to confirm the absence of parasites. During the examination, the owner must sign the Quarantine Inspection Agreement, which will include the address and contact number of the place where the dog or cat will be kept. After inspection, the animal is sent to a 30-day quarantine. Animal quarantine in Sri Lanka takes place at the owner's premises, meaning the pet is not allowed to leave your temporary residence for a month.

If the animal does not meet the established veterinary and sanitary standards, or if signs of disease are found during the examination, it will be sent to the country of export or subjected to euthanasia.