Many travelers who have never brought their pets with them abroad don’t know the basics of international pet travel and can be intimidated out of pursuing it further. Traveling internationally with your dog or cat is often a much more straightforward affair than most people thing. There are 3 major important tasks you need to complete to be able to travel with your pet abroad but first you must begin with a very important one – timing.
Plan At Least 3 Months In Advance
Don’t book any kind of international travel plans less than 3 months in advance, since that’s the time it will take you to make the necessary preparations for most trips with your dog or cat. It takes time to organize the requirements, make the necessary veterinary appointments, have the paperwork approved, and allow for sufficient time for vaccinations to be shown effective. It sounds like quite a bit of work, and it is to an extent, but generally comes down to vet appointments and making arrangements with the airlines.
You’ll also need to call ahead to the airline you’ll be flying with and beware of any breed restrictions, crate requirements (almost all do), and if there is room on the flight if your pet is small enough for the cabin. Typically airlines only allow 2 pets total per flight in the cabin so by booking ahead you can be sure to get a spot. It’s important to do as more people are enjoying air travel with pets.
Origin And Destination
Your originating country and destination is what primarily determines the requirements you’ll be under. Generally if flying from the US to any EU country, you just need a valid rabies certification and signed note from the vet 10 days in advance. Coming back to the US from the EU you’ll need the same, as well as a bill of good heath. There are a few more forms as well, but it’s a straight forward process. Many EU nations are considered “rabies free” like Sweden, and flying anywhere from these places makes international pet travel much easier.
Many pet owners are worried about quarantine times – and while each country has their own requirements, pets from the US and EU won’t be held if the animal appears to be in good health and you have the appropriate paperwork with you. Islands, like Hawaii, Australia, and New Zealand however generally do have quarantine periods, although you can often shorten the time by arriving early in the day and paying for expedited service.
Breed Restrictions
You want to make sure that your breed of dog or cat is allowed where you are going. Many counties in the United States have restrictions against pit bulls, as do several airlines. The best place to find the appropriate information is through the embassy website of the country you are headed to. Don’t be shy and call directly if you have any questions. Also, keep in mind to call the hotel (if you’re staying at one) to see if it allows dogs and what kind. For those of you headed to the US, check out the Hotel Monaco in Washington DC, a very pet friendly hotel, and one of the best luxury hotels in the world.
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