First and foremost it is important to note that each country states different rules about the travel documents for foreigners who enter the country with their pet. You should start your research at least 6 months before traveling with your pet to avoid quarantine. This article will explain the type of documents that you will probably have to show at the border.
Pet passport
A pet passport is a collection of documents (ownership, your pet’s breed, weight and age or date of birth, health, rabies, microchip certificates, import permits, FAVN test results, etc.) that will allow your pet to enter the destination country. The “pet passport” must be created by a licensed veterinarian. In addition, you need to check whether official approval by a government veterinarian is not needed.
Certificate for rabies vaccination
Rabies is one of the most serious diseases. That is why, before deciding on your traveling plans, check the classification of the country you are coming from and the country you are going to: rabies-free, rabies under control or high-risk. World Organization for Animal Health oversees the classification. You might come across other types of classification because countries can decide on their own. Many countries don’t allow to enter pets who come from a high-risk rabies country.
For example, EU is not rabies free therefore rabies there is a need to vaccinate cats, dogs and ferrets entering the European Union from any country.
Pet microchip
A pet microchip implant is an identifying integrated circuit placed under the skin of an animal. The chip, about the size of a large grain of rice, uses passive radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology, and is also known as a PIT (passive integrated transponder) tag. Standard pet microchips are typically 11–13 mm long and 2 mm in diameter.
Microchips can be implanted by a veterinarian or at a shelter. After checking that the animal does not already have a chip, the vet or technician injects the chip with a syringe and records the chip’s unique ID.
There is no need of an anesthetic, as it is a simple procedure and causes little discomfort; the pain is minimal and short-lived. The owner receives a registration certificate with the chip ID and recovery service contact information. You can print the information also on a collar tag worn by the animal. The certificate serves as proof of ownership. It is transferred with the animal when it is sold or traded; it is easier to steal an animal without a certificate.
Worm Inspections and treatments
Depending on the country you are traveling from and traveling to, you may be asked to provide different pet travel documents, such as a certificate that your pet has been checked or treated recently for particular type of worms. For this information, make sure to note what type of animal this is required for and how many days the test must have been done before entering the country. The certification can be provided by an authorized vet.
Import permit
Often only certain breeds or animal categories require import permit. You should apply for the permit before entering your destination country. Many destination countries require all the documentation above, in order to issue the permit. Make sure to prepare papers before because often the permit will be valid only for some time.
To find out specific travel requirements for each country and pet type, visit the following website : https://www.pettravel.com/passportnew.cfm
A digital photo of your pet and the pet’s crate
Many airline companies require adding a digital photo of your pet and the pet’s crate photo to the pet travel documents which ensures that safety requirements for pet transportation are followed. Another reason to attach the photo to a pet passport is to find it easier when you lose it. So, our advice is to take a pet passport photo to make your trip easier and more comfortable.
Use Smartphone iD app
Take passport photos for the EU pet passport with the Smartphone iD app. Take your time and enjoy unlimited amount of shots for free. You will not even have to leave your home, because you can take the photo at home as well. Shortly after, receive the passport photos of your pet in acceptable, valid format. Our compliance team and AI (artificial intelligence) software ensures that the photo is correctly cropped, sharp and usable for the EU pet passport.
