How to Travel Overseas With Pets

Whether you're traveling or moving to a country overseas, we all know the importance of following rules for ourselves. However, if you're bringing a pet with you, it's important to follow the regulations for them as well. You want to make to sure you're precious pet is allowed to enter the country with you. Keep reading for tips, hints and a step-by-step guide to what you need to do to make sure an important member of your family isn't left behind.

Instructions

1

Do some preliminary research. Almost every country that you might be entering will require proof that your pet has received a rabies vaccination. Some require a health certificate and an import license. Other countries require that your pet be quarantined for a length of time, usually six months, upon arrival.

2

Visit your veterinarian. Many of these things can be secured by visiting your vet. Your vet can provide you with your pet's health record and a health certificate, and if needed, give a rabies vaccination. Your veterinarian may also be able to make sure your pet is safe to travel, and talk to the vet about micro-chipping your pet so only you can claim it and it can be easily identified as yours. Many countries require this.

3

Purchase a pet passport. Pets need passports, too, and the process for purchasing one can be rather daunting. However, if you've already talked to your vet, received the rabies vaccination, taken a blood test to make sure the rabies vaccination worked at micro-chipped your pet, you're well on your way towards meeting the qualifications. You must also obtain a PETS certification from a vet with government authorization. The passport itself also costs a small amount.

4

Notify the airline. Before you leave, it's important to let the airline you're traveling with not only that you're coming, but that you'll be bringing a pet. Verify they don't have any additional requirements to bringing the animal and make sure they'll be able to fly the pets that day. For the safety of your pet, airlines may not fly pets on exceptionally warm or cold days. Find out whether or not you can bring the pet into the cabin with you (if its a small animal, it may be able to) or if you'll have to keep it in the cargo hold with your checked baggage.

5

Check on your pet. If your pet is in the cargo hold, make sure to ask someone, like a steward or flight attendant to check on your pet for you. If it's riding with you, make sure it's okay frequently, and make sure it has plenty of food and water.

6

Keep pets in the carrier and near you. If your pet was in the cabin with you, keep it in its carrier while you're in any airports or if you have any layovers. If you have an exceptionally long layover, you may be able to let it out for a time, but that's not likely. Whatever you do, don't lose it. It's devastating to lose luggage, and it would be much worse to lose a pet.