Expert: Renee Cox - 3/26/2009

Question
QUESTION: We live in India and are relocating to Australia. There is a quarantine period of 6 months that is mandatory in Singapore. Will the Boxer be able to handle this sepration .He is 18 months old and we have had him for 16 months.
For his sake would it be better to find him a home here in India.

ANSWER: Hi. The Boxer can bounce back from many things. Will the place where he'll be staying allow you to see him any? Will there be people there to interact with the dog, or will he be stuck in a kennel by himself? Are you ok with this place? If so, then I wouldn't get rid of him. If you're truely worried about the place that he'll be staying, and how he'll be treated there, then I would consider rehoming him, but I would try everything I could first to keep him with me.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: unfortunately we will not be in a position to visit him  often perhaps once or twice. We will be in Sydney. Australia requires a dog from India to go thru Singapore quarantine for 6 months before he is gets into the country. He will be cared for in a Kennel. I have checked the place out on the net & it seems to be ok plus Singapore has very strict laws

Answer
A lot of people ship dogs to other countries, and the dogs have to stay in quarantine. Save for people who move to other countries with their dogs. It really comes down to what you really want. If the place if really good, and you know he'll be ok there and get great care, I'd say go for it. I'd hate for you and your family get rid of your dog for this. If you're comfortable with it, then I'd do it. But again, it's your decision. Good luck!