Traveling with pets is not
uncommon. Tens of thousands of people travel
internationally with their pets each year. But, traveling
with your pet can be confusing.
International pet travel does require careful planning;
however, if you follow some simple steps it doesn't have
to be any more complex than domestic travel. The most
important thing to remember is that pets need additional
documentation in order to enter a country just as humans
do. Check with your country of origin. Let them know where
you are traveling to, and ask what documentation you will
need for re-entry.
CONSULATE
Your next step is to contact the consulate(s) of the
country you are visiting. You may want to ask the
following questions:
- Are there any special
restrictions for pets being imported? If there are
quarantine restrictions, where are the local
quarantine confinement areas and do I need to make a
reservation?
- What documents will I
need to import my pet? Most countries require a health
certificate signed by the country's health official or
a licensed veterinarian within a set number of days
before entering the country. This is often in the
country's native language. Some countries make their
certificates available via the web.
- Are there age
restrictions?
- Are there special
vaccinations or tests that my animal needs to have?
- How will my pet clear
customs?
TRAVEL
BY AIR
If you are planning on traveling by air, you should ask
another set of important questions. The
International
Airline Transportation Association (IATA) governs
international air transportation. To ensure a safer trip
for your pet, choose one of their member airlines.
When you contact the airline, ask the following questions:
- What are your
restrictions for pet travel? How many pets do you
accept in cargo and how many, if any, in the cabin.
Many international carriers restrict pet travel in the
cabin.
- What are your container
requirements? (We provide an overview in our air
transportation section.)
- Will the pet have to
change planes? We recommend a non-stop flight whenever
possible.
- If it is a long flight,
will the pet be able to relieve himself somewhere?
- When and where should I
drop my pet off?
- What documents will I
need to transport my pet? Some airlines have stricter
requirements than the countries they fly to.
- Where will the animal
clear customs?
For additional information
on air travel, visit our main "Pet
Air Travel" section.
TRAVEL
BY CAR
Please visit our
main "Pet Car Travel"
section.
AIM
can assist you with Pet Travel to any of the
countries / regions listed below:
CANADA - British Columbia,
Ontario, Quebec
EUROPE - Austria, England, France, Germany,
Hungary, Poland, Scotland, Spain, The Netherlands,
Yugoslavia
ASIA -
Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore
SOUTH AMERICA - Mexico, Peru, Venezuela
MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA - South Africa, Turkey,
United Arab Emirates
OCEANIA - Australia, New Zealand
