Nedumbassery: Facilities have been set up at Kochi airport to bring pet animals from abroad. A quarantine centre has been established at the CIAL cargo terminal to keep the animals under observation. There are also facilities such as a sample collection centre and freezers.

Previously, animals could only be brought if the passenger had obtained special permission and completed the necessary formalities, which was a complicated process. As a result, the number of animals being brought was limited. However, once the technical procedures are completed at the airport, pets can be easily brought from abroad starting in November.

Until now, only airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad have this facility. Since July, pets have been allowed to be taken abroad from Kochi.

The Animal Quarantine and Certification Service Centre (AQCS) was inaugurated by Union Minister George Kurian. The contract in this regard was signed by the Additional Secretary of the Animal Husbandry and Dairying Department, Varsha Joshi, and CIAL MD S Suhas. Currently, permission is granted for bringing dogs and cats.