Whether you are a kid or an adult, you will need an identification card to prove that you are indeed a citizen of Malaysia and it turns out that your beloved pets can have one too!
A netizen posted some photos of his cute little dog together with something that looks like a blue passport on social media a while back. In his status, he wrote as the dog, saying, “Humans need to have identification documents, dogs also need to have identification documents. Today, my owner brought me to register for a Malaysian Animal Identification Card. Next time I go out I don’t have to be afraid of the police because I can prove that I’m not an illegal immigrant.”
The owner also jokingly said that if pets could get identification cards, they might have the power to vote next time if there were any animal elections. Other netizens were surprised as they have heard of getting licenses for dogs but they did not know that there was such a thing as an identification card for animals.
Turns out that this Pet Passports or Malaysian Animal Identification Cards have actually been in existence since 2010. According to the Pet Passports website, they said that this is an official document of Malaysian Government under Malaysian Animal Traceability System (MATs) Project. This Passport is organised by the Department of Veterinary Services Malaysia (DVS) under the Provision of Animal Act 1953.
Currently, they only allow dogs, cats, horses and rabbits to register with the DVS. During this registration, your pets’ medical history, photos and pet information will be recorded in one document. A microchip will also be injected under your pet’s skin so that if your pet ever gets lost, it will be easier for owners to trace them. Your pet’s data will be stored in the national database and this information is important to improve the effectiveness of animal disease control.
You can apply for a pet passport at all DVS state offices and at any veterinary clinics that are accredited by the DVS. It is important to register a Malaysian Animal Identification Card because it will be easier for customs officers at national borders to confirm the health and immunisation records of your pets if you want to bring your pet to travel.
The registration fee (excluding microchip, physical examination and pictures of your pet) is only RM7 for dogs, cats and rabbits while horses would be charged RM9.
For more information, you can check the Animal Passport website here or DVS here.
Now that you know this exists, will you be getting your pet a passport so that you can bring them along on your travels?
Also read: Here’s How Dog Owners in KL Can Apply And Renew Dog Licenses Online