Travelling with animals abroad  

It is likely that on occasion and for different circumstances, arises the need to travel abroad with our mascot. This type of travel often required extra processing, so it would be convenient, provide it with enough time to avoid last minute problems.
Fortunately, almost all countries allow free movement of the most common pet, the condition is that they are in perfect health condition and compliance with the specific regulations of each country of destination.
They understand themselves as pets:
• Dogs
• Cats
• Small mammals
• Birds (except poultry)
• Small reptiles and amphibians
• Fish
• Invertebrates (except bees and crustaceans)

International requirements

The first thing you need to know before you travel will be the requirements requested by the customs of the country that moving. It would be a visit to the Embassy or Consulate where advise in detail on the matter, to avoid unpleasant surprises later.
If we travel through Europe, requirements not vary widely from country to another. Both countries of the European Union and most of the remaining "passports for pets" is unified. This document is valid for dogs, cats and ferrets, it contains, well updated, all the health history of the animal and all their details, of the latter, also making reference to the owner.
We must deal with the passport through our veterinarian. It must be borne in mind that, in a generalized manner, is not allowed to travel with animals under three months.

Traveling with dogs, cats and ferrets

These are the health requirements for the movement of dogs, cats and ferrets between countries of the European Community and the environment (Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and Vatican):
• Passport for pets, a day in vaccination and worming
• Identification via tattoo or microchip
• Vaccination against rabies
In general, these are also basic and requirements are essential for travel with our pet to any country but in feature where moving, we need to introduce other complementary health certificates, here you have a list of the most frequent:
• Treatment against tapeworms
• Treatment against ticks
• Control vaccine against rabies, assessment of neutralized antibodies
• 3 or 6 months before the journey
• 120 days after vaccination
• Leptospirosis and Distemper vaccine
• Certificate of good health depending on model, issued by an official veterinarian or countersigned by the competent authorities in the country of origin.

Travel with other species

For other species will have to take into account each country's requirements although it is normally sufficient for a veterinary certificate attesting good health of the animal.
In general, if it's small animals such as birds and reptiles, are usually allow a maximum of five animals per person.

Avoid problems on arrival

It is extremely important that we know and respect meticulously all regulations of the country to which moving, if not, we can be with a wide range of unpleasant situations on arrival:
• Immobilisation of the animal facilities of quarantine for varying periods (5-40 days)
• Return to the country of origin
• Before strict regulations, the animal could be sacrificed.

Travel by land, sea or air

When we book our trip also we need to provide the company with which we travel, to accept our pet. As a general rule, they will call us health accreditation either through the passport for pets or by a health certificate issued by a veterinarian.
The trip by terrestrial means, train or coach, tends to be quite restrictive. By train, depending on the country, small animals (less than 6 Kg) are accepted provided that they are in a well conditioned container. Coach, however, it is difficult to find an international company that allows travel with pets.
Not so with sea and air companies where, access to domestic animals, is permitted and standardized.
The boat usually offer several alternatives to stay to the animals during the journey:
• In cellar, in appropriate containers or inside our car
• On deck, next to other animals in cages with compartments
• In-cab, with us, in a suitable container
The plane is more limited, our animal can travel in the hold, as baggage, or in the cabin with us.
In both cases, there are a number of requirements for travel in the cabin:
• Prior authorization by the company since it is usual that there is a limitation on the number of dogs allowed. Our request may be denied if there already were other prior reservations
• Small animal, weighing less than 6 kg.
• Container suitable for safety and comfort, both the animal and the rest of the passengers
Also in both cases we have to provide for the cost, by the animals must pay the corresponding fee. This will also depending on the company that you use, usually shipping companies are cheaper, we could find one that even allows to our pet travel free. With respect to air carriers, it is normal to apply a price per Kg (price by bulk, animal + cage) which can vary between 20 / €25, i.e., if your dog weighs 4 Kg. pay around € 90.
As an exception, the dogs guide people blind people can travel by any means of transport and are exempt from any payment, that Yes, have to be fitted with muzzle, belt and collar.