Lifestyle
Everything You Need To Know About Travelling Abroad With Your Pet
When going on an extended holiday abroad or moving to a different country, you may not want to leave your furry friends behind. Unlike travelling cross-country, moving internationally has specific mandatory requirements. There are some universal ones like vaccinations but some countries will have specific demands. In addition, it’s important to remember that some locations don’t make allowances for pets. If you’re moving into an apartment, it’s important to confirm if they take pets. Some hotels allow pets like cats and dogs but they may not allow birds. For your safety and convenience, it’s important to arm yourself with the necessary information before travelling.
Pet immigration requirements
When travelling with your dog or cat, these are some of the universal rules you will need to adhere to.
1. Microchipping
A microchip is a device that is injected into the animal to help tag it geographically. Microchips also carry vaccination and owner information in case the pet gets lost and is caught by authorities. Microchipping is usually done at the same time as when your pet gets its rabies vaccine. After the procedure, you’ll be issued with a microchipping certificate.
2. Rabies vaccination
Your fur baby must get a rabies vaccination at least 30 days before the date of travel and no more than a year before the date of travel. Your pet must also be 12 weeks or older before it can get vaccinated. If your pet is already vaccinated, confirm with your vet if they need a booster. Once your pet gets a booster, you don’t need to wait 21 days. The vaccine certificate must also show proof of deworming. This can also be in the animal health certificate.
3. Animal health certificate
When travelling to Europe, your pet will need an animal health certificate. According to the UK government, this gives you permission for:
- 10 days of travel into the EU and Northern Ireland
- Four months of onward travel into the EU once you’ve entered the EU
- Four months of re-entry into the UK
In Kenya, to get an animal health certificate, you need to apply for one from the Kenya Veterinary Board. The certificate confirms that the animal is free of disease and pests. Licence fees vary for different animals ranging from Ksh. 200- Ksh. 500. This has to be issued within ten days of leaving the country.
Pet travel requirements
Your pet will need to ride comfortably in the vehicle. Some cats don’t fare well in cars or planes and may need to be acclimatised. In addition, you’ll need to get them used to riding in a carrier. Your vet will provide recommendations like putting your pet on sedatives to help them endure a long-haul flight. In Kenya, you’ll need an IATA (International Air Transport Association) compliant travel box.
Your pets must also avoid eating a few hours before the flight. Make sure they use the bathroom before going on board. Look up the flight requirements of the airline you’ll be using. Some lines allow you to carry your pet in the cabin as a carry-on or baggage. This also depends on the country of destination. Some countries only allow pets to be transported as cargo. You may also need to pay for a separate flight.
Some services provide pet transport services. They can book your pet on a licensed commercial freighter for animals. Charges can range based on weight, including the weight of the cage. The documents needed must travel with the pet.
4. Pet passport/ export certificate
Depending on the country you’re travelling to, you may need to acquire a pet passport. However, it’s important to confirm beforehand if the country you’re moving to recognises the pet passport issued in your country. For example, a pet passport issued in the UK can’t be used as a pet travel document in the rest of the EU.
In Kenya, you will need to get a pet export permit from the Department of Veterinary Services. However, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, you will need to follow these steps to exit the country through a port with a pet.
- Contact a clearance agent recognised by the East African Community Customs Management Act. The Kenya Revenue Authority has a list of licensed clearing agents.
- Lodge a customs entry. Under this, you will get a Registered Customs Entry and a KRA e-slip.
- Submit your clearance documents to the Directorate of Veterinary Services for verification. You will get an Endorsed Customs Clearance Document.
- Once cleared, you will need to get an airline concession fee certificate. This costs Ksh. 250.
- After this, you will get a Customs Entry Under Control Status document from KRA.
- You will then submit your clearance documents for verification by a clearance agent at the freight terminal. Once cleared, you will get a Customs Entry in Removed Status document from KRA. This is a physical verification and release of your pet.
- When you’re cleared by the licensed agent, you will get a Certificate of Export from KRA which must be stamped by the Border Control Officer. This export permit is valid for 14 days before the departure date.
To get a JKIA pet export health certificate, you will need to go to the Kenya Trade Network Agency to obtain a certificate. After this, you will pay for a port health export certificate which costs Ksh. 1500. Upon getting this, you will then get a consignment inspection from the Port Health Services of Kenya. This gives you the release to obtain the pet export health certificate. The PHSK will issue an approved export health certificate.
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It’s also essential to look up the specific requirements of pet travel. For example, the EU requires an EU health certificate. The US doesn’t need a rabies vaccine for cats but still recommends it. South Africa needs an additional health certificate filled by the Ministry of Agriculture. There is also a mandatory 14-day quarantine for dogs but not for cats upon arrival.
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Summary
In short, the main documents you need for travelling internationally with your pet are:
- The original rabies vaccine certificate is within the specified time frame.
- Microchip certification.
- Destination permit slip.
- Vet health certificate.
- An export permit from the DVS/ pet passport.
- A travel-compliant carrier.
- If you’re transporting your pet with a courier, the travel documents must travel with the pet.
- Additional certifications dependent on the country of destination,
Check out:
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