How to Transport Pets from the U.S. to Europe
You have scheduled the packers and movers, started learning a few words of French or German and applied for passports in preparation for your family's move from the United States to Europe. But you're not quite done -- the kids don't want to leave the family pet behind. Whether you use a pet relocator service or make the arrangements yourself, there are things you must do, some well in advance, to ensure a safe and uneventful transition for your family's four-legged members.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Approved transport container
- Up-to-date pet vaccinations
- Pet identification microchip
- Rabies certificate
- European and international pet health certificates
- Calming medication
- Pet food
- Water
- Leash
- Collar
Instructions
-
-
1
Determine whether it is in your pet's best interest to move with you; in some cases, it is better to find him a new home in the U.S. Most European countries have generally reasonable pet import requirements, but several have very burdensome policies. Great Britain, for example, has an onerous list of extra requirements: rigid, drawn-out timelines for immunizations, health tests not required by other countries, expensive medical insurance and, under some circumstances, a six-month quarantine for your pet once he arrives. They also permit travel only via certain air carriers and air cargo routes. All this can be extremely stressful for both you and the pet, particularly when the pet is older or in fragile health. See the referenced information at the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) website for details.
-
2
Purchase a pet kennel or crate approved for travel if you do decide to move your pet to Europe with you. Begin to acclimate your pet to its kennel by leaving the pet in it for a period of time each day. Begin with a half hour or an hour and gradually increase the amount of time it spends in the kennel so it is fully used to it by the time of your move. If your pet has not been crated before, it is best to start this process several months in advance of the move to minimize the animal's stress when it is required to be in the crate for extended periods during travel.
-
-
3
Contact your veterinarian as soon as you learn you will be moving. He can help you obtain the necessary forms and health documentation for your pet to be allowed entry into Europe. Develop with him a timeline for your pet to have all the required vaccinations and medications required for travel and for entry into your destination country. Dogs will need current distemper, hepatitis, parvo, leptospirosis and rabies vaccines. Cats need feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia and rabies immunizations. Each country may have additional requirements. See the Dogtime website in the reference section.
-
4
Comply with European Union (EU) requirements for bringing a pet into Europe. According to European Commission Regulation 998/2003, in addition to the vaccines listed above, your pet must have a microchip for identification, the EU Vet Health Certificate (EU Form 998) filled out by an accredited veterinarian and a rabies certificate. Some pets cannot be taken to Europe at all, regardless of their health status. Great Britain and several other countries prohibit the importation of pit bulls and some other terrier breeds under any circumstances. Reptiles and birds also have special requirements in some countries -- birds must undergo quarantine upon arrival in the Netherlands, for example.
-
5
Complete U.S. Form 7001, the International Health Certificate. Get this form from your veterinarian and ask him to complete it within 10 days of departure. This form, along with the EU forms listed above, will need a USDA endorsement within 10 days of departure. Obtain this endorsement by contacting your nearest USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service office for specific instructions about obtaining these endorsements in a timely manner. A list of local and regional offices is available at the APHIS website.
-
6
Contact the airline you will be using for your move. Ask the airline representative exactly what documentation the airline requires for transporting your type of pet to your destination country. Request precise details of all necessary procedures involved for transporting your pet -- for example, find out how many hours in advance of your scheduled flight the pet must be at the airport, and whether or not the airline requires the pet to be medicated for the duration of the flight(s). Your vet can prescribe something for this purpose, if it is required.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Signed originals of all documentation must travel with your pet. Keep copies of all required certificates in case something happens to the originals. Based on the guidance you receive from your specific airline, take food, water, a leash and a collar with you in case you need to feed or exercise your pet during a flight change or layover.
Regarding cats. The first rabies shot your cats gets is good only for one year unless it had a booster shot. Subsequent rabies shots are good for 3 years. I got hemmed in by this because my youngest cat had a 2 days lapse in the rabies shot and I had to delay sending him until 29 days had passed and he arrived in Spain on the 30th day.
Becareful if you take the in-cabin animal to the airplane restroom to change the pee pad. There are nooks and crannies that only a critter can find. Trust me on this one!! As a rule, the pets are not allowed out of the carriers.
Becareful also about receiving-hours at the airport of destination. In-cabin animals will be accepted at any hour. Cargo animals MAY NOT be accepted during the weekends or at night, it depends on the airline carrier and who their handling agent is at the airport. Most American carriers would not allow cargo animals into Barcelona after 5.00pm or on Fri, Sat and Sun. However, my cats arrived with Lufthansa at 6.00pm with no extraordinary issue. But they had cleared customs in Frankfurt part of the European Union.
References
- USDA; Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; Animal Welfare; Pet Travel
- Dog Friendly: Taking Your Dog From the U.S. or Canada Into England is Possible, But Still Too Complicated for Most Dog Lovers
- Dog Time: Transporting Pets to Europe
- Happy Tails Travel: Personalized Pet Transportation Services
Resources
- Photo Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
