New Delhi - Post Report Question and Answers
Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
Yes. A number around and also mobile pet grooming. - Jun 2024
Yes. - Apr 2024
India requires various documentation to bring in pets. I had to provide advance documentation to gain provisional approval, and then had to provide a health certificate very close to arrival before getting the No Objection Certificate that I had to present at the airport; there is no quarantine required. There are several vets, including some that will do house calls. There are lots of street dogs and very little grass, so dog-walking could be a hassle. - Jul 2020
Getting pets into India can be tricky as it requires FDA approval from the states, within 10 days of travel. The FDA process is not necessarily clear from the US side. Coordinating shipping through the airlines can also be time consuming. Paperwork on the India side is not too bad but there are fees involved. - Jul 2019
There are many vets, but some pet owners complain about the quality of service. Due to many toxins in soils and water, rat and other pest poisons, pets get sick very often. No quarantine is needed upon arrival. - Oct 2017
No quarantine for cats or dogs entering the country. We brought our cat from the US. There is a lot of paperwork to do ahead of time. If you are with an Embassy, they will help you. It is a pain getting your pet into the country.
Pet supplies are hard to find if you are picky about the brand. We ordered our cat food online and shipped through Amazon via the Embassy. Kitty litter we tended to get at the Embassy commissary, but it is available locally (though brands I didn't recognize).
Veterinary care is fairly poor. They do a bit better with dogs than cats as Indians tend to own more dogs. Vaccines and care are cheap. We never needed to go to the vet for a sick pet and I was glad. Our cat got his vaccines yearly and had an exit exam before leaving the country (as required by India). I have heard people who needed sick pet care were very disappointed with results. Definitely ask around for recommendations.
Most people have their domestic staff care for their animals when vacationing or they will ask a friend to house-sit or take in the pet (we watched a rabbit for a month while the owners were out of country). It is very hot much of the year and there are not a lot of grassy areas. Dogs that come to post should be able to handle the heat and apartment life. - Mar 2017
No quarantine. Work with the Embassy before your arrival for all the requirements. The Indian government requires lots of paperwork ahead of time. Taking pets as excess baggage (or in-cabin) saves a lot of hassle. Flying on Lufthansa to/from India is also much more pleasant than dealing with United or BA. - Jun 2016
No quarantine, but plenty of paperwork in the U.S. needs to be done in coordination with GSO before purchasing air tickets. - Sep 2014
No. Just lots of hoops to jump through. - Aug 2013
No. - May 2013
No. - Oct 2012
No. - Sep 2012
Nope, but ask their forgiveness. They will not love India. - Aug 2011
No. - Aug 2011
No. - Jan 2011
No. - Sep 2010
Not in my case. All papers were in order and it was a swift procedure to get my dog back at the airport. - Aug 2010
No. - Aug 2010
No. - Aug 2010
