international pet travel

Traveling with pets internationally can be much more challenging than domestic travel with pets because of long waiting periods, quarantine requirements and other importation regulations. If you are considering traveling internationally with your pet, it's important to begin planning way ahead of your intended time of travel. Proper planning will help better prepare you and your pet for the trip, lessen the stress on both of you and provide realistic expectations of international pet travel.

Traveling internationally with pets obviously involves crossing at least one international border. You will need to know the basic requirements for that particular country, regardless of the method of transport. International pet travel requirements can vary country to country but will most likely mandate certain vaccinations and a veterinary health certificate.
Flying internationally with pets

If flying with your pet internationally, you should contact the airline carrier with which you plan to travel for its latest airline pet policies. Be sure to ask questions that will help you determine whether international pet travel is even feasible or a wise choice, depending on size, breed and physical condition of your pet. Some questions to consider include:

* What types of airline restrictions do you have for international pet travel?
* Do you limit the number of pets allowed in cargo and in the cabin?
* Are certain breeds of pets not permitted or not advised to travel internationally?
* What are the container requirements?
* Will my pet have to change planes?
* Will my pet be able to relieve himself somewhere if it is a long flight?
* When and where should I drop off my pet?
* What documents will I need to transport my pet?
* Where will my pet clear customs?

Sedation of pets and air travel

Don't sedate or tranquilize pets traveling by air

American Humane Association cautions veterinarians and pet owners that sedation of your pet is not generally recommended for air travel. The pet's safety is at risk.

Pet safety on airlines

Many injuries, deaths, and escapes can be attributed to either the pet trying to escape from its kennel and, as a result, hurts its paws and/or gums, or due to an actual escape. Escapes can be for several reasons, such as a dog can chew its way out of the kennel if it can get its upper and lower teeth between slits or holes in the plastic sufficient enough to apply force; dogs and cats are able to push the door open or partially open and escape; the kennel lock is broken or not properly latched; or the kennel itself is not properly and securely assembled. For more information on the types of injuries of transported pets, visit the Department of Transportation's consumer report page. Scroll down to the last page for animal incidents. The reports are by month and year.
Contact the embassy or consulate about importing pets

It's important to contact the embassy or consulate in the country in which you plan to visit. You can find a list of Foreign Consular Offices in the United States on the Department of State's website. Keep in mind the following questions to try to determine the general restrictions and requirements for international pet travel:

* What are the restrictions for importing a pet?
* What are the local quarantine requirements?
* What documents will I need to import my pet?
* What are the age restrictions?
* What special vaccinations should my pet have?
* How will my pet clear customs?

International Health Certificate

If the country to which you're traveling with your pet requires an international health certificate (IHC), you will need to contact the embassy or consulate to find out what the requirements entail. Determine if the IHC needs to be in the country's official language or if it requires an official stamp. IHC's are completed by an APHIS-accredited veterinarian who certifies the pet's health status, conducts tests and records test results for the individual pet being exported. In order for the certificate to be valid, it must be endorsed by a Veterinary Services area office. Locate the VS Area Office for your State. The APHIS area office for your state can also provide you with details regarding fees for United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) endorsements.

This article was found on the PetTravelCenter.com website and belongs to them. It's one of the best pet relocation websites and the information they provide is extremely valuable. Visit them!