How to Travel Abroad with Animals? Do you love traveling but can’t stand the idea of leaving your pet at home alone? Are you traveling to Europe with your pet and don’t know where to start? So, how is it possible to travel abroad with animals?
Want to find out? Then, continue reading and check the step by step to plan your trip with your four-legged child.
Planning and Preparation: The Key to a Happy Trip with Your Pet
When planning a move to another country or a long international trip, our four-legged children cannot be forgotten. They are family members, and to ensure that your pet can accompany you, it is necessary to meticulously plan the trip.
Today, we will tell you every step of this process.
The first step is to have a lot of time and planning before the trip. The process is bureaucratic and has a multitude of rules, but it is possible to make your dream trip alongside your most faithful companion.
You just need to be patient and very organized to handle the entire process of your pet’s travel documentation.
Each country has specific requirements to authorize the entry of pets into their territory. It is extremely important that you plan your little animal’s trip in advance, so that you have enough time to meet all the rules of the destination country, which most of the time can take a few months.
It is the animal guardian’s responsibility to seek all information from the competent bodies, mainly from the embassies or consulates of the country you are going to visit.
What to Do Before the Trip
Take Your Pet to the Veterinarian
Once you’ve decided that your four-legged child is going to travel with you, taking them to the veterinarian to certify their health is essential. This way, you’ll know if everything will be fine with your pet during a long trip.
Vaccinations must be up to date. Check which vaccinations are required by the destination country. This is the first step when you start thinking about taking your companion on an international trip.
Planning and Organization
The success of your trip starts with careful planning and detailed organization. The process, though bureaucratic and full of rules, is perfectly feasible with due patience and attention.
Prepare to deal with the procedures involving your trip or move, visa, luggage, and, of course, all the necessary documentation for your pet.
Create a folder with the vaccination card and all your pet’s documents. Organization is essential for the success of your travel project.
Make a checklist of everything you need to do before traveling and, especially, before buying the plane ticket. If you need help, there are specialized companies that can assist you throughout the process.
Checklist for International Travel with Pets
Check each step to follow to travel with your four-legged child:
- Keep vaccinations and flea and worm treatments always up to date.
- Implant a microchip in your pet following international standards ISO 11784 and ISO 11785.
- Vaccinate your animal against rabies.
- Perform Rabies Serology and send it to a laboratory approved by the European Commission.
- Wait for the Serology results and comply with the 90-day quarantine period before traveling.
- Obtain a Veterinary Health Certificate and the CZI (International Zoosanitary Certificate).
Allowed Animals and Special Preparation
Animals allowed on flights to Europe include dogs, cats, and ferrets. Check if there are no breed restrictions in your destination country.
Microchip Implantation
The pet must be identified with a microchip, which must meet ISO 11784 or 11785 standards (15 digits). Make sure your pet’s microchip is working correctly and producing a reading after implantation.
If the pet is already microchipped, read it to verify that everything is correct. If there is any reading failure, inform the manufacturer and preferably replace it with a new device.
At the time of issuing the CVI (International Veterinary Certificate) or Passport for the Transit of Dogs and Cats, the microchip will be read, as will be the reading at the boarding of the international trip and upon disembarkation at the airport of the destination country.
Rabies Vaccination
For rabies vaccination, your pet must be at least 12 weeks old and must be administered after the microchip is implanted.
Vaccination applied before the implantation of the microchip is not recognized and must be reapplied after the device is implanted, even if it is within the period of efficacy.
Carefully check the storage conditions and validity of the vaccine to be applied, as, after administration, the immunization must extend until the animal’s arrival in the destination country.
The vaccination must be recorded in the vaccination booklet with the vaccine seal, date, stamp, and signature of the Veterinarian.
Pay attention to countries like Japan, China, Taiwan, and Hawaii, which require at least two doses of rabies vaccine before Rabies serology. These destinations have other specific requirements that must be considered.
For these specific conditions, the second dose of vaccine can be applied at least 30 days after the first or within the efficacy period of the first vaccination.
Sample Collection for Rabies Serology
The “Rabies Antibody Titration” is a test required for dogs, cats, and ferrets as an entry requirement in European Union countries and some others that also make this demand.
Clearly understanding the rules of the destination country for the transit of dogs and cats is one of the most important points of traveling with pets.
The rabies serological test is just one of the sanitary requirements demanded and may not even be mandatory for some countries.
The test should be done 30 days after the date of the rabies vaccination. From 30 days, the collection can be done at any time, as long as it is within the validity of the vaccine.
If the destination country requires two doses of rabies vaccine, the blood sample collection can be done on the same day as the second dose is applied or during the vaccine’s effectiveness period.
The use of some medications and some diseases such as lipemia, hemolysis, and jaundice, can interfere with the test result, so it is essential to take your pet to the vet before collecting blood, to certify their health.
After the blood is collected by the veterinarian, Rabies Serology must be done in a laboratory accredited by the European Union.
Currently, in Brazil, there are four licensed laboratories, however, it is extremely important that you check the licenses of the laboratories on the European Union website before sending the blood collection.
I Received the Rabies Serology Report, What Do I Do Now?
The level of antibodies accepted for international travel must be equal to or greater than 0.5 Ul/ml. If the test result is lower, it may be necessary to retake the test and the animal will not be able to travel.
Also, your pet can only travel after complying with the quarantine determined by the destination country. Almost all countries require a 90-day quarantine after the blood sample collection date.
Pay attention, it is important to observe all the information in the report carefully to identify errors or discrepancies related to the tutor’s data, animal, vaccine, and sample.
Look for the Nearest VIGIAGRO Unit
Before looking for VIGIAGRO – International Agricultural Surveillance System – wait for the quarantine period required by the destination country.
Also, make sure that all extra requirements have been met, such as: vaccines against infectious diseases, deworming, control of ectoparasites, vaccination card, and health certificate of the animal.
At the link below, you can check the requirements of your destination country:
https://www.gov.br/agricultura/pt-br/assuntos/vigilancia-agropecuaria/animais-estimacao/sair-do-brasil
Attendance at VIGIAGRO requires prior scheduling. Thus, to ensure a date for the appointment, it is advisable to request scheduling at least one month in advance of the trip.
How Long Does the Process Take?
The whole process of traveling abroad with animals can take an average of 5 to 6 months. Therefore, it is important to plan in advance and have extra time for unforeseen events before scheduling your international trip.
How Much Does the Process Cost?
In Brazil, the cost of the process can vary according to the costs with the veterinarian, microchip implantation, sending the blood sample to the laboratory, consultations, vaccines, and additional exams.
Check the Airline’s Rules
Regardless of whether your pet occupies a seat on the plane, a fee is charged to take the pet on an international trip. In each flight, there are restrictions on the number of animals on board, so make the reservation in advance, because the airline needs to be notified about the presence of this special passenger on the plane.
Therefore, when buying an international ticket, you must inform the airline that your best friend will travel with you and check the applied rules.
Traveling With Pets in the Cabin or Hold?
Usually, most airlines allow animals up to 8kg to travel in the cabin with their guardians. However, depending on the airline, only one pet per passenger is allowed, limited to two pets per flight.
Animals Over 8 kg
Animals over 8 kilograms must travel in the plane’s hold. The carrier has a size limit (minimum and maximum), and the animal must be able to move easily within the box.
To find out about the size of the carrier to be purchased, you should consult your airline and, in case of any eventuality, record all information provided by the airline.
Provide the Appropriate Box to Transport Your Pet
For transportation, both in the cabin and in the hold, it will
be necessary to provide an appropriate box for your four-legged child.
Normally, to travel in the passenger cabin, the weight of the pet plus the weight of the transport box cannot exceed 10kg.
If the pet is larger, it is possible that they will go in a special compartment for animals. As a rule, animals traveling in the pet compartment need to have a box of the appropriate size, sturdy and ventilated so they can breathe. It is interesting that you prepare your little animal months in advance, so that they get used to the environment and do not get stressed.
It is important to know that the pet space on the plane is air-conditioned, just like in the cabin, so you don’t need to worry about the comfort and well-being of your best friend.
Rule for Animals Traveling in the Cabin
Each passenger can only carry one box in the cabin. If you are carrying more than one animal, the others must be transported in the plane’s hold.
The transport bags in the passenger cabin must be flexible or semi-rigid, and can never be made of plastic. The dimensions of the bags vary according to the airline.
Animals traveling in the cabin must remain inside the bag throughout the flight. In addition, to ensure that your pet boards with you calmly, it is essential to verify that the size of the box indicated for the pet is minimally acceptable for your animal, as some airlines, such as British Airways, require very small boxes.
Change Seats
Some airlines are quite pet-friendly and choose more comfortable and spacious seats for you during the flight. In addition, certain airlines even offer exclusive onboard service for dogs and cats.
Your Pet’s Needs During the Flight
Rarely does your animal want to relieve themselves during the flight. Normally they endure the entire navigation period.
Water and food provision is your responsibility, however, avoid giving too much water to your pet, so they don’t feel the need to urinate all the time. Leave to feed and give water in the last hours of the flight.
Care When Making International Trips with Your Best Friend
When traveling abroad with animals, it is important to take some care. For your pet to have greater comfort during the flight, it is necessary to take some care for their well-being.
Remember to put a hygienic mat inside the transport box, and a waterer with a compartment that does not spill the water.
Help Your Animal Get Comfortable
Take some toys of emotional value for your animal. A piece of clothing worn with your scent can make them feel more comfortable and safe.
Some pets get sick during the flight and need medicine for nausea and vomiting. Consult your veterinarian and check which is the best medicine for your travel companion.
Try to feed your pet a few hours before the flight, so they will have time to relieve themselves before boarding and avoid having a full and heavy stomach.
Arriving at the Airport
When you arrive at the airport, let your pet do one last pee before boarding and, most importantly, try to convey calm and confidence to your four-legged child. Many of them get agitated and panting, not knowing where they are going. Therefore, try to calm them down and also keep yourself calm, as they feel everything we feel.
Arriving at the Destination
Upon arriving at your destination, a veterinarian at the airport will examine your animal and check all its documentation. Therefore, keep the document folder with you.
In addition, a sanitary fee for the entry of the animal may be charged, which must be paid at the time of inspection. Still at the airport, you must also inform the place of your accommodation and, if you are moving, you must inform your definitive address at the new destination.
Traveling With Emotional Support Animals
Emotional support animals, also known as emotional assistance animals (EAA), are pets that offer therapeutic benefits to their guardians through affection and companionship. They are especially beneficial for people who suffer from certain mental and emotional health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, among others.
Unlike service animals, such as guide dogs, which are trained to perform specific tasks to help people with disabilities, emotional support animals do not require specialized training.
To board with an emotional support animal, it is mandatory that a doctor issues a certificate, describing that the passenger needs the company of the animal for personal and specific reasons.
In addition, in the destination country, certain legal rights of emotional assistance animals must be recognized so that they can board the cabin with the guardian.
Conclusion
Taking your pet on an international trip requires careful planning and preparation, but by following this guide, you can ensure a safe and comfortable trip for your four-legged companion.
Remember to always check the laws and specific regulations of the destination country and consult a veterinarian to ensure that all health requirements are met.
Traveling with animals requires additional preparation, but it can be a rewarding experience. It is important to train the animal for the trip, especially if they are going to travel in the hold.
In addition, remember to check and comply with the quarantine rules of the destination country, and have a great trip!
In this article, you can also check out the essential accessories to take on your trip with your pet.
