Over the last few years, more and more dogs and cats have become Jet-setters. As a result, the need for pet passports has grown as well.
Europe is way ahead of the United States and Canada in this trend. Members of the European Union (EU) can obtain what is known as the Blue Pet Passport. It contains each pet’s health records and even a photo. This passport can only be issued by a veterinarian inside the EU.
For the rest of us, creating a passport for our pet is recommended. By having all required information – health certificate, proof of immunization, tittering results, etc. in one place, it can greatly help expedite the immigration process.
For example, if you are from the United States and are traveling to a country in the EU, then your pet’s passport must include the EU Form 998 for the country you will be visiting (they are all different). This needs to be completed by your veterinarian and certified by the State USDA veterinarian. In addition, you must attach your pet’s inoculation record to the 998 form.
For travel to the United Kingdom or to Norway or Sweden, the passport will also need to include the results of your pet’s blood titer test (shows immunity to specific diseases) and the Ticks & Tapeworms treatment form.
Keep in mind that each country has their own rules and specific documentation needed for animals to gain admittance. Some even require a quarantine period. The best way to avoid quarantine is to know the rules of the country you are traveling to (some need proof of more vaccinations and even an import permit) and to have your pet passport complete.
A great resource for this criteria is The Pet Travel Store website. Their immigration page - pettravel.com/passportnew.cfm - includes rules for pet travel to nearly 100 countries around the world. The site also includes lists of required forms -pettravelstore.com/store-pet-immigration-forms1.html.
When in doubt, ask your veterinarian.
Jodi is our Traveling with Pets Editor, and is a Holistic Wellness Consultant for Animal Companions, specializing in nutrition and proactive health. She is a Certified Pet Nutrition Consultant who also holds a Master of Science degree in Holistic Nutrition. Through her company Holistic Jodi, LLC, Jodi makes house calls throughout South Florida, helping cats, dogs, birds and rabbits be as healthy and happy as possible.
She and her husband Zach live in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with their 5-year old cat, Obi. Please feel free to contact Jodi at holisticjodi[at]gmail.com or visit holistichealthypets.net/.