What is a Pet Passport?

What is a Pet Passport and Why Does Your Pet Need One?

Every day, we have people asking us for a pet passport to take their pet into countries all over the world. The term was originally popularized in the European Union (EU) where it became an easy way for pets to travel within the countries of the EU. Now, we refer to all of the documentation required to enter any given country as your pet’s passport which, like your passport, will gain them entrance to a foreign country.

If your pet lives in the EU, pet owners can get something called the EU Pet Passport that would contain your pet’s health records and even their photo. However, the EU Pet Passport can only be issued by veterinarians inside the EU. Pets can travel freely in the EU with their pet passport without having to complete a health certificate for each EU Member State that they visit.

Pets can also travel to and from other neighboring countries and EU territories with their passports such as Andorra, Croatia, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican City State. Additionally, pet passports issued in certain EU countries are honored in other autonomous countries that are associated with an EU country. For example, pet passports issued in Denmark are honored in Greenland and the Faroe Islands. French passports are honored in French Guyana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Reunion. Spanish passports are honored in the Canary Islands, and Portuguese passports are honored in the Azores and Madeira.

EU Pet Passports are also accepted in the United States and Canada as proof of microchip and rabies vaccination.

What Does a Pet Passport Include?

• Microchip Identification: Your pet should be (and must be to enter these countries) microchipped before traveling. The microchip number is recorded in the pet passport as proof of identification.
• Rabies Vaccination Certificate, EU Pet Passport or government-issued vaccination booklet: Proof of a current rabies vaccination is required for all international travel. In some cases, a rabies titer test (blood test) may also be required. (see below).
• Health Certificate: Issued by a licensed veterinarian, this certifies that your pet is healthy and fit for travel. Some countries require an official certificate within a certain timeframe before travel (often within 10 days).
• Tapeworm Treatment (if applicable): Certain countries (such as the UK, Ireland, Finland, and Malta) require pets to be treated for tapeworm before entering.
• Other Vaccinations or Tests: Depending on the country, other vaccinations, tests, or treatments may be required (e.g., distemper, parvovirus, or tick treatments).

An EU Pet Passport is typically valid for as long as the vaccinations and treatments listed are up to date and there are blank pages in the Passport. Once all pages are filled in, then a new Passport must be obtained.

Why is a Pet Passport Important?

Whether entered in a book or a group of documents, a pet passport is important because it allows you to gather all required and vital information about your pet in one place and make it convenient for officials at the border to verify your pet’s health and inoculation records.

Creating Your Own Pet Passport to Import Your Pet to the European Union

Your veterinarian can help to create a passport for your pet to enter almost any country in the world. For example, If you are from a non-EU country and visiting a European Union country with your pet, then the pet passport will consist of the following:

• The EU Health Certificate for the point of entry (first) country you will be visiting completed by your veterinarian and endorsed (certified) by a veterinarian who represents the agency in the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals.
• Your pet’s rabies certificate which must be attached to the endorsed EU Health Certificate. (Sometimes the inoculation record is referred to as the rabies certificate.)
• Results of a rabies titer test (required when entering the EU from an unlisted country.
• Proof of a tapeworm test for dogs entering Ireland, Norway, Finland or Malta.
• Declaration of Non-Commercial Transport Form attesting that your pet’s transport does not involve sale or transfer of ownership. (Last page of the EU Health Certificate)

Creating Your Own Pet Passport for non-EU Countries

Health certificate

All countries in the world will require a health certificate (otherwise known as a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection or CVI) issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country. In most cases, this certificate must be endorsed (certified) by the government agency in the origination country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals. The minimum information should be included in the health certificate:

• Number of pets imported.
• Species of pets imported.
• Breed, sex, age and color or identification of pets imported.
• Microchip number of pets imported (if required).
• Name and address of the owner OR the kennel of origin.
• Origination and destination countries.
• Vaccination information including manufacturer, dates of vaccination, lot numbers and expiration dates.
• Veterinary attestations
  • That your pet did not originate from an area where rabies has occurred or is under quarantine for rabies.
  • That your pet has not been exposed to rabies.
  • That your pet is healthy and shows no signs of contagious diseases.

There may be more information required depending on your destination country. Note that the original health certificate must accompany your pet during transport and be available during clearance in the destination country. There are no exceptions from this requirement. If the original document is not available, your pet will be held in quarantine or returned to the origination country.

Vaccinations

Proof of current rabies vaccination is also an essential part of a pet passport. This proof can be in the form of a vaccination certificate, government-issued vaccination booklet or EU Pet Passport. The document should include:

• Name and address of the pet’s owner.
• Breed, sex, date of birth (approximate age if date of birth unknown), color, markings, and other identifying information for your pet.
• Date rabies vaccination was administered.
• Name and manufacturer of vaccine.
• Lot/Batch/Serial Number of vaccine.
• Lot Expiration Date.
• Date the vaccination expires.
• Name, license number, address, and signature of veterinarian who administered the vaccination.
• Your pet’s microchip number (if required).

Other vaccinations may also be required including distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus and parainfluenza for dogs and panleukopenia (distemper), viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and leukemia for cats.

Blood tests

The rules for additional testing, including rabies titer tests, vary widely from country to country. Pet owners who reside or have visited high-rabies countries should always travel with a rabies titer test. Titer tests for dogs are required for pets entering Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, French Polynesia and other countries.

Other blood tests for diseases such as Leishmaniosis, Babsia Canis, Brucella canis, Trypanosoma evansi, Dirofilaria immitis are required for dogs entering some countries.

Internal and external parasites

To prevent the spread of Internal and external parasite treatments are also required to enter many countries, especially islands, and those with tropical and arid environments. All dogs entering the UK, Finland, Malta, Norway and Ireland must be treated against tapeworm just before entry.

If you need more detail and required forms, you can find them here.

Import permits

Many countries require that pet owners apply in advance prior to importing their pet for several reasons. First, it gives the destination country notification of your pet’s arrival so veterinary inspection can be arranged. Second, the destination country can determine whether the rabies classification of the origination country will warrant the import of your pet and what additional testing will be required. Third, the required documentation can be prescreened for accuracy.

Avoiding Quarantine

The key to avoiding delays at the border and/or quarantine when traveling with your pet is to have your pet passport complete and accurate for the countries you are visiting. However, there are countries that will require quarantine regardless of adherence to their rules. Examples of this are Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, South Africa (certain countries), Fiji, Hong Kong, Singapore (certain countries) and others. This is why it is important to understand pet import requirements of your destination country.

Ensure you are familiar with the re-entry requirements for your own country, as your pet may need additional documentation or treatments before returning home. This is especially important when your pet will be entering a country classified with a high incidence or rabies.

A pet passport simplifies international travel with your pet by consolidating important health and identification information. Make sure to follow the specific regulations of your destination country, including vaccinations, microchipping, and any additional health checks, to ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey. Always consult your veterinarian well in advance to get the necessary paperwork and plan accordingly when transporting a pet.

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