🌍 Pet Passports: How to Travel Internationally with Your Dog

 

Dreaming of sipping espresso in Rome with your Golden Retriever? Or hiking the Swiss Alps with your Shepherd? International travel with dogs is entirely possible — but it requires paperwork, planning, and patience. That’s where a pet passport comes in.

Let’s break down everything you need to know to take your pup abroad legally, safely, and stress-free.

 

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🐾 What Is a Pet Passport?

 

A pet passport is a collection of veterinary and legal documents that certify your dog’s health and vaccination status, allowing them to enter foreign countries. While some regions (like the EU) once issued official booklets, most countries now accept a compiled set of approved records.

 

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✈️ Why You Need One

 

International travel rules for pets aim to:

 

• Prevent the spread of rabies and other diseases

• Ensure animal welfare during travel

• Keep customs and border controls standardized

 

Without proper paperwork, your dog can be denied entry, quarantined, or even sent home at your expense.

 

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📝 What Documents Are Typically Required?

 

Each country has its own regulations, but most require the following:

 

1.

Microchip Identification

 

 

• ISO 11784/11785 compliant (15-digit)

• Must be implanted before rabies vaccination

• Bring proof of chip registration and number

 

 

2.

Rabies Vaccination Certificate

 

 

• Must be administered at least 21–30 days before travel (but not older than 1 year)

• Required for almost all destinations

 

 

3.

Health Certificate

 

 

• Issued by a licensed veterinarian

• Often needs endorsement by a government agency (like USDA APHIS for U.S. travelers)

• Valid for a specific number of days (commonly 10 days from issue)

 

 

4.

Tapeworm or Tick Treatment Proof

 

 

• Required by certain countries like the UK, Finland, and Malta

• Must be administered within a specific timeframe before arrival

 

 

5.

Import Permit

 

 

• Some countries (e.g., Australia, New Zealand) require a formal import application and approval

Destination	Rabies-Free?	Quarantine Required?	Notes
UK	No	Not if compliant with Pet Travel Scheme (PETS)	Must use approved route & carrier
EU (France, Germany, Italy, etc.)	No	No for listed countries	Must have EU Health Certificate
Japan	Yes	Up to 180 days if rules aren’t followed	Requires advance notification
Australia	Yes	Yes (minimum 10 days)	Complex process, plan 6+ months ahead
Mexico	No	No	Rabies and health cert recommended
Canada	No	No	Valid rabies certificate is key