To the courage and determination needed when changing countries and starting a new life elsewhere, there’s the added responsibility of taking care of your pets, if you have any in charge. What’s the process?
To the courage and determination needed when changing countries and starting a new life elsewhere, there’s the added responsibility of taking care of your pets, if you have any in charge. What’s the process?
The transport of animals from another country is a process that can take up to five months and involves the following through of some rules and legal requirements, starting with those implemented by airlines. Not all of them are apt to transport animals, and the process calls for an initial research of the airlines that fly to the final destination and what is their policy regarding the transport of pets. The animal must be carried in a box suitable for the purpose, and in accordance with the measures allowed by the airline. Once that point is solved, it’s necessary to contact a vet and have a microchip implanted in your pet, in accordance with the international standards ISO11784 and ISO11785, and also have the animal vaccinated against rabies. Following that procedure, it’s necessary to send a blood sample to an EU certified lab, that will confirm or not, the medical assessment of the rabies inoculation. This process can take up to 90 days.
It is also necessary to obtain an international certificate issued by the veterinarian authority in the country of origin and inform by email the Portuguese General Directorate for Food and Veterinary (Direção Geral de Alimentação e Veterinária) at least 48 hours before the pet disembarks at his destination; copy of the animal’s documents have to be sent attached to the mail, and a special form available at the web site must also be completed.
Upon arrival, the pet has to go past a veterinarian control and have its entry in the country confirmed.
Article in a Bestguide and Porta da Frente partnership