Yes, the dogs or cats need the pet passport or official health certificates to travel internationally.
Depending on the destination country, the dog or cats require a pet passport. Most of the region, including the European Coalition, requires an official pet passport that registers the microchip details, rabies vaccine information, and health documents. The other countries, like the USA and Australia, may not publish the pet passport but essentially need government-approved veterinary health documents, entry permits, and vaccination reports. Some destination countries specify quarantine or blood tests. We would recommend you to always check the certain country’s pet entry regulation before moving to ensure a smooth and stress-free move for your pets.
In addition, international pet travel needs proper certificates, vaccination records, microchipping, and precise country approval well in advance.
For more information, here are some important points to acknowledge for international travel requirements for both cats and dogs.
The majority of nations mandate that pet owners microchip their animals prior to transportation. Before giving the rabies vaccine, a licensed veterinarian must implant an ISO-compliant microchip. The airport customs officials will scan the microchip at arrival and departure to verify the pet’s proof of identity. Due to the lack of a valid microchip number matching the certificate, access may be denied at the airport.
Rabies vaccination is one of the most important requirements for international pet travel. Most of the destination countries, significantly in the European Union, demand the pets be vaccinated at least 21 days to one month before travel. Stricter regulations are in place in nations like Australia, where rabies is not a problem, and a rabies titer test must be performed at least one month before to departure. The rabies report should clearly mention the microchip number, vaccination date, and batch number.
An official government-registered veterinarian must publish health reports momentarily before travel, often within the 7-10 days of leaving. In a country like the USA, the documents may need to be sanctioned by a government official like APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) or USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). This document will substantiate that your pet is healthy and fit to fly on airlines.
The specific country requires the entry permits before your pet enters. These permits delineate certain medical tests, treatments, and documentation required. Failed to get an import permit; the entry may be denied or require mandatory quarantine.
Most of the country demands the proof of the inner and external parasite treatments before the pet travels. In particular, the tapeworm treatment is mandatory for some of the European countries. Within the specified time range, a registered veterinarian must formally register and oversee this treatment.
Some destination countries impose quarantine contingent on the country of origin. The countries where rabies is absent have strict quarantine policies. The proper set of records reduces the quarantine period, but an incomplete report can extend it significantly.
Some airlines have their own pet transport rules regarding breed restriction, crate size, weather condition, and cabin or cargo transport. Always do research regarding airline guidelines well before booking the tickets.
Check out our latest blog:
Relocation in India: Top 10 Challenges to Avoid During City Moves
Pet flight safety: Is It Really Safe to Fly My Pet ?
Bangalore to Mumbai House Shifting: A Complete Moving Guide
Check out our social media page of Pet Relocation