Pets in Brunei

Before taking on a pet, check its identification, vaccinations, deworming, health status and, where applicable, sterilisation status. Possible adoption contacts include, among others, the national shelter for stray animals (National Animal Shelter for Strays (NASS)), the Brunei animal-welfare organisation (BSPCA) and the private rescue and rehoming organisation (PawsUp). The reviewed official sources do not establish a uniform government registration system for all pet species or a general registration requirement for breeders or animal sellers. Dogs in Brunei must be registered from the age of three months with the responsible municipal department. The licence is valid for the current year and should be renewed or applied for before 1 February or promptly after the dog reaches three months of age. Registration includes a numbered metal tag. A 2022 notice from the Ministry of Home Affairs lists B$5 for the licence and B$3 for the tag, totalling B$8; the current fee should be confirmed before applying. Registration is open to citizens, Permanent Residents and foreign nationals and is provided for in Bandar Seri Begawan, Kuala Belait and Seria, as well as Tutong. Failure to register may result under the dog-registration law (Dogs Act) in a fine of B$250 or imprisonment in lieu. Owners must safely supervise, confine or leash dogs. A dog that troubles people or vehicles may incur a fine of B$250 under the minor-offences law (Minor Offences Act). The regulation also specifies B$250 for a dangerous dog without a muzzle in a public place; setting a dog on a person to attack or intimidate them may result in a fine of B$500. The police and responsible authorities may secure sick or dangerous animals. The animal-disease and quarantine order (Animal (Diseases and Quarantine) Order 2021) also allows rules on keeping, breeding and feeding and permits stray cats and dogs to be caught and housed. No general government registration requirement for cats and other pets is evident from the reviewed service sources. A collar with contact details, a microchip, a vaccination record, parasite control and documented sterilisation nevertheless make safe keeping and later handover easier. Vaccinations, including rabies vaccination where there has been relevant exposure or before travel, should be discussed with a licensed veterinary practice. The government agriculture and agrifood department (Department of Agriculture and Agrifood) no longer treats pets itself; care is provided through licensed private veterinary practices. A practice needs a registered Veterinary Surgeon and a Practising Certificate renewed annually. Importing veterinary medicines requires approval; antibiotics may be imported only through licensed veterinarians. Costs for private treatment, food, transport and quarantine vary. A pet import must be clarified before travel with the biosecurity authority (Biosecurity Division) or the responsible veterinary unit of the department. Depending on the animal species, country of origin, transit country and disease situation, an import permit, a valid veterinary health certificate, vaccination records, an examination at a recognised port of entry and quarantine may be required. According to the authorities' guidance, individual applications are submitted through eMIPR, BDNSW or manually; a complete application is stated there to take approximately one working day to process. Commercial importers need separate registration, for which up to six working days are stated. The customs authority (Royal Customs and Excise Department) and the responsible specialist authority must jointly enable clearance. Earlier fees of B$7 for an import permit and B$10 for a health certificate come from a 2020 DCA circular and must not be treated as current rates. Older dog and cat rules under Cap. 47 were repealed by the 2021 regulation; the currently applicable origin, vaccination and quarantine requirements must therefore be confirmed directly before import. For export or transit, the authority, a licensed examiner, the airline and the destination country's rules must be involved. The national airline (Royal Brunei Airlines) requires pets to be carried as manifested cargo and does not accept them as checked baggage or in the cabin. The airline also specifies breed restrictions, including for certain terriers, boxers, pugs, bulldogs, spaniels, mastiffs, pit bulls and Akitas, as well as crossbreeds. A suitable transport crate and complete import, export and transit documents must be clarified before booking. Anyone who can no longer keep an animal should not abandon it. NASS provides government-documented routes for catching, housing and rehoming stray animals; BSPCA and PawsUp operate as private rescue and rehoming organisations. The reviewed sources do not establish a general government procedure guaranteeing acceptance of an animal surrendered by its owner. For a private handover, provide licence and identification details, the vaccination record, medical documents and information about behaviour and feeding. BSPCA lists B$65 for rehomed adult dogs or cats and B$100 for puppies or kittens; B$50 may be refunded after proof of sterilisation. No published NASS fee was found.