International Pet Travel
Will My Pet Be Quarantined?
The countries of the world have been divided into three classifications that relate to rabies: rabies-free countries, rabies-controlled countries and high-rabies countries. Before your pet travels internationally, it is important that you know the rabies classification of your pet's originating country as well as the rabies classification of its destination country. If your pet has layovers on its trip longer than 2 hours or you are changing airlines, you need to be aware of quarantine requirements of countries in which you must clear customs.
Click each category for a list of countries in that category
Travel to and from Countries with Same and Different Classifications:
From a RABIES-FREE COUNTRY to a ANY OTHER COUNTRY (except certain other RABIES-FREE COUNTRIES):
You will be able to enter with minimal paperwork and without quarantine or a Blood Titer test although some countries will require an import permit. There may restrictions and perhaps possible quarantine when returning home.
From one RABIES-CONTROLLED COUNTRY to another RABIES-CONTROLLED COUNTRY:
Your pet must have resided in a rabies-controlled country for a minimum of six (6) months prior to your travel date. (4 months if the pet was born in the rabies-controlled country) Some countries will require a microchip and the proper veterinary certificate for the country that you are entering. Your dog, cat or ferret's rabies vaccinations must be current. There are a limited number of these rabies-controlled countries that also require an import permit for entry.
Check our pet passport section for more details. We also offer Veterinary Certificates for almost 240 countries worldwide.
From a RABIES-CONTROLLED COUNTRY to a EU COUNTRY:
You will need a 15 digit ISO pet microchip for all EU countries and the Annex I (Commercial) or Annex IV (Non-Commercial) Veterinary Certificate for the country that you are entering depending on whether you or your legal representative is traveling within 5 days of your pet or it is traveling alone. Your dog or cat's rabies vaccinations must be current. Tapeworm treatments are also required for the UK, Finland, Ireland, Wales and Norway. Check our pet passport section for more details. Find individual country veterinary certificates for over 200 countries worldwide, visit the Pet Travel Store.
From a RABIES-CONTROLLED COUNTRY to a RABIES-FREE COUNTRY:
If you are traveling from a rabies-controlled country to a rabies-free country, an import permit, rabies titer test, microchip as well as the proper pet passport for the destination country is required. There is sometimes a waiting period from the time you have the rabies titer test until the time you enter the rabies-free country of between 30 days (Hawaii), 90 days (European Union) and 180 days (Australia). If your schedule does not allow for a waiting period, quarantine will be imposed at the destination country or your pet will be returned to the originating country. Additional requirements may apply.
From a RABIES-CONTROLLED COUNTRY to a HIGH-RABIES COUNTRY:
Your pet can always travel to a high-rabies country from a rabies-controlled or rabies-free country with only the proper pet passport and sometimes an import permit. These countries do not require a Blood Titer test and most do not require a microchip. However, you will likely need a Blood Titer Test to return to a rabies-controlled or rabies-free country from a high-rabies country. See next paragraph.
From a HIGH-RABIES COUNTRY to a RABIES-CONTROLLED COUNTRY:
With the exception of the United States and Canada and a handful of other countries, anytime you travel from a high-rabies country to a rabies-controlled country, a Blood Titer test will be required, your pet must be microchipped and you will need the proper pet passport forms for that country. For individual country veterinary certificates for over 240 countries, visit the Pet Travel Store.
From a HIGH-RABIES COUNTRY to another HIGH-RABIES COUNTRY:
In most cases you will need only the proper pet passport forms and sometimes an import permit.
From a HIGH-RABIES COUNTRY to certain RABIES-FREE COUNTRIES:
Some rabies-free countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Mauritius and New Caledonia will not permit pets from high-rabies countries to enter. The EU countries will require a Blood Titer Test three months prior to entry in order to avoid quarantine. There are several countries where quarantine is unavoidable even if you are entering from a rabies-free country.
NOTE: the above rules apply to 95% of travel between countries with a pet. Be sure to check the pet passport information before your pet travels. These rules only apply to dogs, cats, and ferrets who are accompanied by their owners. Different rules may apply for unaccompanied pets.
Need More Information?
We have current and accurate information on traveling with your pet by air, sea or ground. Find more Pet Travel Information
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