International Pet Travel
Will my pet be quarantined?
The countries of the world have been divided into three classifications that relate to pets: rabies free countries, third countries (low incidence of rabies) and countries with high incidence of rabies. Third Countries include all the countries of the European Union (EU) except the United Kingdom which is rabies free. The United States, Canada, Mexico are also considered third countries.Before your travel, it is important that you are aware of the classification of your country of origin (where you begin your travels) and the rabies classification of the destination country (where you end your trip). If you have layovers on your trip, you need to be aware of quarantine requirements of countries in which you clear customs. The intelligent traveler will be able to avoid quarantine requirements of rabies free countries by planning in advance.
CLICK EACH CATEGORY FOR COUNTRIES IN THAT CATEGORY
International Pet Travel - 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 titre test although some countries will
require an import permit. There may restrictions and perhaps
possible quarantine when returning.
From one THIRD COUNTRY to another THIRD COUNTRY:
Your pet must have resided in a THIRD COUNTRY for a minimum of
six (6) months prior to your travel date. (4 months if the pet
was born in the THIRD COUNTRY)
Some countries will require a microchip and the proper
veterinary certificate for the country that you are entering.
Your dog or cat rabies vaccinations must be current. There are a
limited number of these THIRD COUNTRIES that also require an
import permit for entry. Check our
pet passport section for more details. For
Veterinary Certificates
for almost 200 countries worldwide.
From a THIRD COUNTRY to a EU COUNTRY:
Your pet must have resided in a THIRD COUNTRY for a minimum of
six (6) months prior to your travel (4 months if the pet was
born in the THIRD COUNTRY). You will need a 15 digit ISO
pet microchip for
some countries and the EU form 998 Veterinary Certificate
for the country that you are entering. Your dog or cat’s rabies
vaccinations must be current. There are a limited number of EU
Countries that also require a Blood Titer Test. Check our
pet passport
section for more details. Find individual country veterinary
certificates for nearly 200 countries worldwide, visit the Pet Travel Store.
From a THIRD COUNTRY to a RABIES FREE COUNTRY:
If you are traveling from a THIRD COUNTRY to a RABIES FREE
country, a blood titre test, microchip as well as the proper pet
passport for the destination country is required. There is
always a waiting period from the time you have the blood titre
test until the time you enter the RABIES FREE country of between
120 days and 180 days. If your schedule does not allow for a
waiting period, quarantine will be imposed at the destination
country.
From a THIRD COUNTRY to a COUNTRY WITH A HIGH
INCIDENCE OF RABIES:
You can also travel to a COUNTRY WITH A HIGH INCIDENCE OF RABIES
from a THIRD COUNTRY with only the proper pet passport and
sometimes an import permit. These countries do not require a
blood titre test and most do not require a microchip. You may
have a problem returning to a THIRD COUNTRY or a RABIES FREE
COUNTRY. SEE NEXT PARAGRAPH
From a COUNTRY WITH A HIGH INCIDENCE OF RABIES to a
THIRD COUNTRY:
With the exception of the United States and Canada and a handful
of other countries, anytime you travel from a country with a
HIGH INCIDENCE OF RABIES to a THIRD COUNTRY, a blood titre test
will be required, your pet must be micro chipped and you will
need the proper
pet passport forms for that country. For individual country
veterinary certificates for over 190 countries, visit the
Pet
Travel Store.
From a COUNTRY WITH HIGH INCIDENCE OF RABIES to
another COUNTRY WITH A HIGH INCIDENCE OF RABIES:
In most cases you will need only the proper
pet passport forms and sometimes an import permit.
Travel from a COUNTRY WITH A HIGH INCIDENCE OF RABIES to
certain RABIES FREE COUNTRIES:
If you attempt to enter the UNITED KINGDOM with your pet from a
country with a HIGH INCIDENCE of rabies, then you will either be
refused entry, or your pet will be placed in quarantine for a
period of six months. As COUNTRIES WITH HIGH INCIDENCE OF RABIES
are not included in the UK Pet Scheme, quarantine is
unavoidable.
There are several countries where quarantine is unavoidable
unless 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 immigration information section of PetTravel.com before travel. If you have questions please post to our blog. We respond within 24 hours. The rules only apply to dogs, cats, and ferrets who are accompanied by their owners. Different rules apply for unaccompanied pets.
