Taking a vacation is a great way to relax, catch up on some reading, explore a new area and try delectable local cuisines. As great as they are, all these experiences can be greatly magnified if you share them with a special someone, and who is more special than your lovely pet!
Traveling with a pet sure sounds lovely, but it requires substantial preparation and planning. People who wish to take an excursion locally or abroad need to take many documents with them, and rules regarding travel for animals are not that different.
Today we will look into common requirements for traveling with pets, see what documentation we need to obtain, and what challenges to account for before venturing into the world alongside our furry pals.
Prepare These Documents for International Travel with Pets
Although many countries require the same documents from people who wish to take a trip with their pets, either it is a cat, a dog, or a horse. The complete list can be determined only after checking with authoritative websites of a specific destination country you choose for your adventure. Keep that in mind and double-check your final list before leaving home to avoid any mishaps and delays when leaving or re-entering your country.
Pet transportation service can be helpful if you are needing someone to drive your dog, cat, or exotic pet to a separate location. Most pet owners use this pet taxi service to transport their pet to the groomer, veterinarian, doggie daycare, or even the airport. With the pet transportations services, pet owners can expect the best treatment for their pets.
Without further ado, please view the list of main documents and other requirements that are often requested for international animal travel.
- Animal Health Certificate.
This document must contain all the crucial information about a pet, including their personal information, details regarding their health, information about the latest check-up with a vet, and confirmation that they are in good health upon their latest health check-up.
Such documents must be issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian. When traveling to the US, health certificates must be issued within 10 days of your trip, but this period can differ depending on your destination country. You should also prepare a copy of your pet’s health certificate in case it’s needed.
Note: some countries request an additional statement from a vet regarding a pet’s health, so check if your destination country requires it before your trip.
- Pet Passport.
It should be issued by a veterinarian and contain the pet’s photo and personal information. Pet passport is valid indefinitely, but it should contain current information about your pet’s rabies vaccination. Sometimes passports and health certificates can be used interchangeably.
It is also worth noting that you should prepare a passport and health certificate translation into the language of the destination country. It should be done by professionals to avoid mistakes that can cause delays when traveling. A professional translator or localization expert can help you in this matter.
- Information about Vaccinations and Treatments.
Pets who wish to travel internationally must be properly vaccinated. Common illness pets need to be vaccinated from when traveling is rabies, but you should check with the destination country to see if they require any additional vaccinations or treatments. For example, UK authorities also require tapeworm treatment.
- Details Concerning Microchipping.
Most countries require pets that travel to be microchipped. A microchip is essential because it may help you locate your pet if it gets lost. Bring along information that confirms that your cat or dog is chipped. Such details may be included in your pet passport or health certificate, but if not you should take them separately.
- Permit (If Traveling With An Exotic Pet).
While rules regarding cats and dogs are pretty similar across countries, if you plan on traveling with a different pet you should check the rules of your destination country. There may be specific requirements regarding permits for importing your pet or even regulations that prohibit bringing them into a country.
If you travel with numerous animals, authorities may determine that you are transferring them for competition or for commercial purposes, and therefore may be subject to stricter rules. This is something you should check with the destination country’s authorities before traveling. For example, when traveling to the EU, the number of cats or dogs that can accompany you without additional requirements is 5.
Time to Hit the Road!
Prepared travelers usually have a more restful time on their journey, as they confirm all the details beforehand and can avoid last-minute stress and fuss. Now that you have a basic understanding of the main documents you need to account for before your trip, you can start planning your adventures, daydreaming about all the fun activities you and your pet will enjoy together.
BIO: Melony Hart
Melony is a seasoned expert, who enjoys composing articles highlighting different topics, concerns, issues that many readers face daily. Her input is valuable since she is well-experienced after working in several countries and companies over the years. Besides writing, she does research and translation work. Melony finds her work very exciting, but she also loves cooking and traveling.
