Hello all,
Just thought I'd share what I've learned over the past month or so about bringing my cat to Ireland for our 3 month stay.
- Your pet must have a health certificate issued by the USDA to be "exported" from the U.S. (I've been joking that I have to get my cat USDA certified. ;p) Website info at:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/by-country/eu/eu-echinococcus/pet-travel-echinococcus-treatments
| https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/pet-travel-info-and-guidance-document/steps-to-obtain-intl-health-certificate
All of this must be done within a certain amount of time prior to your departure, so please plan accordingly. My cat is going in for her first vet visit next Thursday and her second, 9 days before we leave at the beginning of September. - Your pet CAN ride with you in the cabin, as long it's permitted by the airline. I found a few websites that talk about pet-friendly airlines. Please look for the ones that are international carriers. Please confirm this policy with your airline before arriving at the airport. I expect if you pay for your pet in advance, you'll be better off.
https://www.ajc.com/events/pets--animals/pets-plane-which-airlines-are-most-pet-friendly/udcnySTyjqCkcxoJ5mwk1O/
http://www.dogjaunt.com/guides/international-airline-pet-policies-for-in-cabin-travel/
https://www.sheknows.com/pets-and-animals/articles/974085/airlines-that-allow-pets-in-cabin - According to Bips.dubairport@agriculture.gov.ie, all pets must go through Dublin airport for their inspection. According to livetrade@agriculture.gov.ie, they can come in via ferry as well (although I never found this on the website.) Probably best to go through the airport.
https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/pets/bringingyourpetcatdogorferretintoireland/ - Once you get to Ireland, you may want to get your pet an EU pet passport if you wish to do any further travel within the EU.
I'm looking forward to my 3 month stay in Ireland, with my cat. 🙂
Thanks for this Tanya. Always great to get recent first hand experience with things like this.
Thanks Tanya!
Can you confirm if the 'health cert' and the Annex IV travel passport are the same thing?
Currently in the process of moving back home from California with our two dogs. (Bit of a headache as so many airlines won't fly with 'pitbull like' breeds!) I've been in communication with the relevant people at Dublin airport and they are asking for a health cert, but our vet said this needs to be issued within 10 days before travel and as we're not leaving until mid October I just want to ensure we're not missing something. They don't seem to be vert helpful on the Dublin side so trying to do as much online research as possible! Love to hear everyone's experience so far with moving pets! Thank you!
Hi Daniela, @danielac
nope, it's different things. The health cert will most likely include the rabies certificate from your local CA vet. Moving from CA a few years ago, we also had to get a USDA document signed by the vet, and then stamped by the USDA. It's called APHIS Form 7001. I haven't checked lately, but my guess is it still applies.
Hope this helps.
So to clarify...
- Annex II to show microchip etc
- Annex IV for rabies vaccination compliance
- USAD form 7001