The below version is specific to Ireland and my experience as at writing of this (May 2019)
Disclaimer: This below is my experience importing my dogs into Ireland, may differ from others experience. Do not see this advise and ensure that you verify facts on the various websites (see links further down) for the latest information. I don’t know the rules regarding cats and other animals, but know that with cats it is very similar to dogs. I wrote this from my experience with dogs and sometimes mention dogs often but read this document as Animals/Pets.
Requirements on importing pets into Ireland
The rules around exporting animals to Ireland is very similar than to other EU countries as EU regulations apply but there are small differences for example each country have its own list of Banned and or Controlled dogs.
Portugal controlled dogs are different to Ireland's list of controlled dogs.
Ireland do not have a list of dogs which are banned unlike some other countries.
It does have a list of controlled dogs which mean that these dogs are considered dangerous or at least of a type which could bite. They can be imported into Ireland but need to have to wear a muzzle when in public. Alsatians are on the list, Golden Retrievers and Husky’s are not.
So, make sure that what you hear or read is applicable to Ireland.
In general Ireland is a pet friendly country. The EU regulations state that you can import 5 dogs for a normal household unless an import permit is obtained.
So in Ireland you can keep 5 dogs depending on the property especially if you rent and what the landlord allows.
There don’t appear to be a limit on how many you are allowed to keep from council perspective.
In Portugal you can still import 5 dogs, but councils have limits depending on the size of the property how many you are allowed to keep. In Portugal they may say 2 dogs and 2 cats for example as cats are smaller especially in apartments.
Again, check for your country and area on how many pets are allowed.
Usually you should have your dogs inoculated once a year as well as a Rabies injection.
If you did that, half of the battle is won. If not, then start immediately.
Even if you don’t know exactly when you will be emigrating, the process of getting your dogs ready is at least 92 days and could take longer.
Your dogs need to get:
- Rabies Injection done every 12 months (Be strict on 365 days or less, not a single day over 365 days – keep in mind leap years – A Titre test certificate is valid for life providing you keep it up to date by doing the annual Rabies injections with the 365 days else it will lapse and you will need to do the Rabies Titre test again)
- 5-1 injections. Done every 12 months
- Microchipped which must be the 15 digit International recognised chip. It can happen that the chip move in the body and cannot be detected with the scanner again the next time you go to the Vet. You will then have to re-do the Chip. It will get a new chip number. Keep the old certificate in case the old one get picked up and not the new one upon checking.
You need to send the one copy of the forms which get completed to Verbac or which ever companies chips get used.
NOTE: The fact that the dogs are now registered in South Africa at Verbac does not mean that they are visible on the European Database. You need to re-register them again once in Ireland. More on that at the end of document on what you do once in Ireland.
- You need to microchip the dog(s) before or at the same time that you do the first Rabies Injection. You can do the Microchip at the same time as the first Rabies Injection or sooner but not later. (Pronounced “Tighter”)
NOTE: You can do all the Injections (5-1, Rabies, deworming AND the Microchip all at the same time. There is NO waiting time between these injections and Microchip insertion.
There is ONLY a 31 day waiting time between the first Rabies Injection and the Titre test and NO waiting time between Rabies Booster and Titre test but advisable to wait 2-3 weeks.
- Make sure all the details on the certificates are correct and signed by the Vet every time something is done i.e. injections and sterilisation of the pets.
- Get collars with name tags for each dog with name of dog and telephone number
- Have the Titre test done. The Microchip number will get recorded and written on the blood test form and on the certificate. Pass rate is 0.5 IU/ml
The Titre test can only be done 31 days after the FIRST Rabies injection. Blood is drawn and send away for tests.
Have a Rabies booster administered for should the dog fail the Titre test.
This is that you do not have to administer it after the tests were received and then wait again but the Titre test can be done immediately again.
More on the Titre Test at the end of this document. (Where to send, how to ensure dog pass the tests)
Animals can travel only 91-92 days after blood test done (blood drawn, not tested) or if they travel earlier, spend balance of time till 92 days are over in quarantine in arrival country. Stick to 92 days before travel is advisable.
Rabies Injections
Pass rate is 0.5 IU/ml or higher.
The majority of dogs failed to reach an adequate titer within the first 3 days of primary vaccination; failure rates were also high if the interval from vaccination to titer check was greater than 90 days. Over 90% of dogs that failed primary vaccination were able to achieve adequate titers after booster vaccination. The ideal timing for blood draw is 8–30 days after primary vaccination. In the event of a failure, most dogs will achieve an adequate serologic response upon a repeat titer (in the absence of booster vaccination). Booster vaccination after failure provided the highest probability of an acceptable titer.
After the Rabies injection, wait 30-31 days for Titre blood test. Stick to 31 days depending on leap years etc.
Have Rabies Booster done then at the same time so that if the dog fails the test, you can take the dog sooner for next test. (no need to wait for results, then injection, then wait 2-3 weeks, but go immediately for next blood test.)
If dog fails the test and you had the booster done, you do not have to wait another 31 days again, but can do it 2-3 weeks after the booster was given which is advisable as the pass rate after 2-3 weeks will be higher.
This from a research paper (See link above) and Doctor at Onderstepoort told me. Their best chance of passing is 2-3 weeks after the injections.
However, you cannot take dog for Titre blood test within 31 days after the first Rabies injection. You have to wait 31 days.
-BUT-You can take the dog after 2-3 weeks after the Rabies booster injection as long as the first injection was not more than 11-12 months before that.
In other words: The time between the Rabies Injections cannot be more than 365 days.
Therefore:
-Take dog for injection
-After 31 days, take for bloodtests PLUS Rabies booster
-Once result obtained and it is a fail, immediately take dog again for another test.
(You can give it another booster or just wait for results)
Where to test:
My experience:
Onderstepoort (Pretoria) was 4 weeks for results. Bloodtest was done at Onderstepoort and sent to Onderstepoort Labs.
My one dog failed and I had to do booster then only and Onderstepoort Lab
closed for XMas. So I took her to a private Vet and the results over Xmas time took 3 weeks, but normally 1-2 weeks.
That second blood sample was send to Germany via IDEXX.
Onderstepoort cost was R1734 and Private Vet (Florandia, Tileba, Pretoria) to Germany R1340.
But now be careful.
IDEXX supply TWO services to Vets.
One is a courier service to take the blood sample to Onderstepoort so if you ask the Vet if they use IDEXX to send the blood sample, they may say yes. Some Vets and or their assistants just don’t know the difference. Some Vets in Pretoria take the blood personally to Onderstepoort.
Then IDEXX supply a service to send it by courier to Germany. Two different forms to be completed so make sure you get a Vet who know what you are talking about. And believe me some Vets in Pretoria do not know other than Onderstepoort or using IDEXX as a courier to send to Onderstepoort. I phone many Vets to get one (Florandia Animal Clinic) who sort of knew and then phoned IDEXX to get the exact requirements and ordered the correct tubes and forms (while I waited another few anxious days)
(Thats if you want to go the IDEXX Germany route)
Both Onderstepoort and the Lab in Germany are authorised test centres and results accepted.
IDEXX will not send blood to the Lab in Germany if the dogs go to any destination outside of EU. Only pets going to EU can have their blood tested in Germany Lab. (As told by a Vet in Pretoria)
Your vet must send the blood sample to an EU-approved blood testing laboratory. The laboratory may be located either in an EU Member State or another country. A list of approved laboratories can be accessed on
Ensure Rabies injections do NOT contain Leptospira interrogans var canicola as this effects the Rabies test while in Quarantine (If in quarantine at any stage but unlikely to be in Ireland).
The blood test results are valid for the life time of the pet unless there is a break in the rabies vaccinations. If the booster vaccination is administered late, even if it’s just one day, the whole process will have to be repeated.
Official Third Country Veterinary Health Certificate issued by a private veterinarian certifying compliance with the above requirements and this Health Certificate must be stamped & signed by the SA State Vet. The Health certificate must be done within 5 days of travel.
If pet failed:
If a pet failed the test, the Booster should help getting the pet to pass the next time.
However, feed the pets lots of healthy foods, especially Omega 3 & 6 to boost immunisation.
The Rabies test doesn’t test for Rabies, it test how immune the pet is against Rabies
Agents
By now you should have quotes and maybe paid a deposit with a Pet Travel company. I used Animal Travel Services.
I paid R88k for 4 large dogs via Animal Travel Services in 2019 (these prices change yearly with exchange rates, costs and airline fees, so these prices may not be valid when you read this)
They provided the best quote and I only saw good reviews on Facebook and the SA2Eire Telegram group. They definitely provided an excellent service so I can highly recommend them. Their price was about half of the most expensive quote.
Scan all certificates etc and send to Animal Travel company plus copy of your plane ticket and passport. The plane ticket is to show that you travel within 5 days of the dogs to ensure they get classified as household pets and not commercial.
If your pet is not flying commercial, check on the Facebook page for a post on "Pet Buddy/Pet Ambassador" to find a volunteer to fly with your pet after you arrive.
Ensure you know the sizes and weight of the dogs and send this to the Animal Travel company. You should have this from when you requested a quote and from when you took the dogs to the Vet for injections. The Vet would have weighed them. Keep a note of the weight.
The Animal Travel company will only finalise the booking of pets flights about 2 weeks before the actual flight but they will have a preliminary booking and itinerary for you before then.
Animal Travel Services sent me a completed form “Animal Health Certificate” (also known as EU Annex IV Health Certificate) with all correct details in it except what the Vet had to complete. (They got the info from the certificates so no need to download the forms from Internet and try and decipher the requirements. This will be done for you)
Animal Travel Company will also send you a form “Declaration for EU” that you need to complete and sign with dogs Microchip numbers on it.
- Five (5) days before travel, get deworming done (treatment for Echinococcus (tapeworm) 120 hours (maximum) and not less than 24 hours before the time of scheduled entry into Ireland.)
- and general fitness check and “Animal Health Certificate” EU forms completed. If you have more than one dog travelling, then they will all be listed on one certificate. Please ensure that the Vet Stamp AND Sign AND date the form once completed. All three important.
(If Onderstepoort, Pretoria, ask for Sister Carla. She is the only one who know the exact requirements and complete forms (also Titre tests))
Make copies of all papers and have it certified for self in case originals get lost.
You can buy Calmeeze and start giving this 2-3 days before travel to calm the dogs. Recommended by Vet. Travel companies don't like collars.
Travel company will fetch papers from you and take it to State Vet. Either Pretoria State Vet or Johannesburg State Vet.
Pretoria State Vet should you wish to take documents yourself, but Animal Travel company usually does this: 012-316-1600
When Animal Travel Company fetch the papers from you to take to the State Vet, they should leave one or more crates for you to start getting the pets into it and let them get used to it.
Put some food into it, some old unwashed clothes with your smell, etc.
(No need for these travel kits for the dogs if you use a Pet travel company like Animal Travel Services as they will do all of this. You only need it if you do all the arrangements yourself, pay for airfreight yourself, book them in yourself, etc.)
On the day of your/their flight, the Animal Travel company will come and fetch the dogs.
If early, then dogs will be kept in a kennel close to the airport and be given water and be walked till time to take to airline freight department.
Owners or an authorized person MUST travel on the same flight or within 5 days of the pet/s in order to have the non-commercial health certificate endorsed
If your pet is not flying commercial, check on the Facebook page for a post on "Pet Buddy/Pet Ambassador" to find a volunteer to fly with your pet after you arrive.
If you are travelling from a non-EU country, you must provide advance notice of your intention to bring your pet into Ireland. Advance notice must be e-mailed to petmove[at]agriculture[dot]gov[dot]ie, at least 24 hours in advance of travel. Please complete the advance notice form which can be accessed on https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/pets/euhealthcertificatesandadvancenotice/.
Alternatively please provide them with the details required within the form in the main body of your email to petmove[at]agriculture[dot]gov[dot]ie
Travelling to Ireland:
Customs at the airport CLOSE Weekdays Mondays to Fridays at 17h00 and are CLOSED WEEKENDS!
(The shipping company is most likely open 24 hours per day 7 days per week, but Customs is not)
So ensure that you land whatever flight you take and your pets (If separate flights), that you have ample time to clear the dogs from customs.
You should allow yourself some time for:
- possible delayed flight of 1 hour.
- Get through immigration and potential delay there especially coming through for the first time and have to show work permits, claim EU Treaty , etc, etc of at least 1,5 hours.
- Allow 1 hour to get your rental car/van and get to the shipping company which is right next to the Terminal 2.
- Get paperwork at shipping company and walk 100 meters to the Customs office. 30 minutes
So you should try and land around 13h30 latest. We landed 11h20 and was on our way at 14h00 with the dogs in the back, but we had no flight delays or any long waiting time at car rental, did not get lost, queues at Customs, etc.
We arrived on a different flight than the dogs. Dogs on Lufthansa at 11h10 and we on Emirates at 11h20.
The Shipping company will not keep the dogs for any amount of hours i.e. they would not keep our dogs from 11h10 till 20h00 even if clearing agents would clear the dogs.
The clearing agent would not keep the dogs till 20h00 and would have put the dogs in kennels on our behalf where we could fetch them the next day.
We had to change our flight to an earlier time to make sure we are on time.
There's something that needs to be explained as there is a misconception on this.
When your pet leave South Africa, you or the Animal Travel company need to take the EU Health Certificate as completed by a Vet (and stamped and signed and dated) to the South African State Vet to be verified and stamped and signed. (Of course you need all the original documents and certificates as well.)
Scenario 1: PETS FLY DIRECTLY to IRELAND and NOT VIA EU COUNTRY
If the pets travel directly to Ireland and not pass through another EU country for example fly through Dubai on Emirates, then the Irish State Vet need to check the pets out and allow them in. In this case the pets MUST enter Dublin and Dublin only.
OPTIONAL: You can but do not have to, make use of a clearing agent. If you land in time, you can pick up the dogs papers and waybill at the Shipping company and take it to the Customs office which is in the same building as Air Lingus on the second floor. You get Customs to stamp the forms and go back to the shipping company and pay a fee. I paid Euro84 for 4 large dogs.
The State Vet need to clear the dogs first. The clearing agent can handle this for you or you can arrange this yourselves. The State Vet can do the inspection at the airport or the dogs need to be taken to a Kennel 10 minutes drive from the Airport and the State Vet will do the clearance there and you can pick up the dogs there.
If done at the Airport, the shipping company will now hand you the dogs and depending on size may bring them to you on a fork lift. In my case, I brought four large dogs (Alsations, etc) with big crates. You keep the crates so ensure you have a large enough vehicle to cater for the crates.
If done at the Kennel, you or clearing agent will need to arrange transport to the Kennel for the dogs and this will be at an extra cost.
If the pets fly in directly from a Non-EU country especially if you arrive late, then I suggest that the clearing agent handle everything for you from clearing to the State Vet, etc. There will be a cost of approximate Euro450 plus Euro75 per hour wait time if they wait for you to collect the dogs.
If you arrive to late, they will put the dogs in an overnight kennels and you collect the dogs the next day.
If you arrive early enough and can get transport, you can easily save the Euro450 and do this yourself. It is not complicated at all.
Scenario 2: PETS FLY to IRELAND VIA another EU COUNTRY
If the pets travel via another EU country for example Germany (Frankfurt) on a flight of Lufthansa, then the State Vet in THAT country have to clear the pet to enter the EU. Then the pet will travel further to Ireland and there IS NO NEED for the Irish State Vet to clear the pets into Ireland. To the best of my knowledge the pets can enter any International harbour or Airport in Ireland in this case.
OPTIONAL: You can but do not have to, make use of a clearing agent. If you land in time, you can pick up the dogs papers and waybill at the Shipping company and take it to the Customs office which is in the same building as Air Lingus on the second floor. You get Customs to stamp the forms and go back to the shipping company and pay a fee. I paid Euro84 for 4 large dogs.
The State Vet DO NOT need to clear the dogs first. This was done at the first port of call into EU.
The shipping company will now hand you the dogs and depending on size may bring them to you on a fork lift. In my case, I brought four large dogs (Alsations, etc) with big crates. You keep the crates so ensure you have a large enough vehicle to cater for the crates.
If you arrive late (Too late to do clearance at customs), then I suggest that the clearing agent handle the clearing from customs. There will be a cost of approximate Euro250 plus Euro75 per hour wait time if they wait for you to collect the dogs. They can also do the clearance and take the papers back to the shipping company and there is no wait time BUT that is only if the pets don’t have to wait too long as the shipping companies are not geared to look after the dogs, i.e. give water, take them for walks, etc.
If you arrive to late, they will put the dogs in an overnight kennels and you collect the dogs the next day.
If you arrive early enough and can get transport, you can easily save the Euro250 and do this yourself. It is not complicated at all.
If the pets fly in via an EU country and you are early enough, then I suggest that you do the clearance yourself. It is not complicated at all.
The easiest for you and for the dogs is for them to fly via an EU country and get cleared there and you take an alternative or same flight depending on your preference.
It is much easier to let pets fly through EU country. The Animal Travel company will arrange the clearance and make sure there is enough time for the pets to transfer from one flight to another and get cleared.
In Ireland
Now that you arrived safely with your furry children in Ireland:
Ensure you know the telephone number and address of the closest/best Vet in Ireland where you will be living BEFORE you arrive already.
One of my dogs got sick within hours that we landed and arrived at our home and I had to quickly get Google to find a Vet that is open 24 hours (This was 20h0 on a Friday evening) as tired as I was after packing container, suitcases, arranging stuff, flight from SA to Ireland, driving 3 hours from Dublin to our new home.
Make sure you find out beforehand, it will make life just easier.
Take out dog licenses at the Post Office (AN Post) at 20 euro per dog per year or 140 euro for lifetime. This must be done by law.
Take the dog(s) to your nearest Vet and have them check the Microchip and re-register them at Fido.ie or another Irish database. Once they are registered at Fido, they will now be visible all over the EU i.e. Germany should your dog travel there and get lost, etc. This must be done by law since 2015. This is also to proof ownership of pets.
The Vet can also issue an EU Passport at 50 Euro per dog. The EU Passport is NOT required unless the dogs travel outside of Ireland.
Check that they complete the portion in the EU Passport that states the Titre tests were done and copy the details into the passport and get signed and stamped by the Vet. You still need to keep the inoculation certificate(s) as they do not copy that across as the EU Passport only state what was done by the Vet and not copy from another certificate unlike the Titre tests.
NOTE: CHECK the requirements of exporting and movement of pets out of Ireland as the requirements differ from moving from Ireland to other countries than into Ireland should you emigrate or travel on holiday with the pets to another country.
In Ireland when taking pets abroad, you have to do the deworming with 2 (TWO) days before travel unlike 5 days as in SA.
Food: Pellets dry food is in general more expensive in Ireland. You get Pedigree and Hills like you do in South Africa.
We also use the tinned meat (chunks in smallish tins). Brand name is “Brandy”. Dogs like it and 2 Euro for 3 tins or even cheaper at Tesco for the Tesco brand name.
Annual Inoculations
Rabies injections are only done every three years
You should inoculate your pets for deceases not found in South Africa, but found in Ireland. Speak to your Vet. Such inoculations are approximate EUR40 per animal for the 7-1.
A Booking of flights and time of arrival
Important is that Animal travel companies will tell you to use clearing agents, but no need too if they travel via Europe first.
If an animal is coming into EU ie via Frankfurt and get cleared and checked in Frankfort, then no need to clear them in Dublin, we can just collect.
If NOT cleared in Frankfurt or other EU country, then must go via clinic tel: 018900375 or VetDirect Tel: 0876686278
Irish State Vet to clear animals.
The State Vet in IRELAND (Should you opt to use them)
Dr. Una Carroll <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The clearing Agent: (Should you opt to use them)
Siobhán O'Shea
Pet relocation specialist/ Veterinary Nurse
Division of EFL International Distribution Ltd Unit 4B, Santry Hall Industrial Estate, Santry, Dublin 9, Ireland
TEL: +353 1 8867700
FAX: +353 1 8425450
Siobhan OShea This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Department of Agriculture officer for clarification if in doubt:
Mobile telephone number: + 353 (0) 87 417 8986
Or at Airport in person:
Pressing the button marked Duty Supervisor on the courtesy telephone outside the Department of Agriculture offices in the baggage reclaim hall, opposite
carousel No. 6 in Terminal 1, or
carousel No. 2 in Terminal 2.
You can send an email to the following address in Dublin just to warn them 1-2 days beforehand that the animals are arriving so they know. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so they know. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Directions to Customs at Dublin Airport
You go out of the airport where you will see taxis. As you go out of the doors turn right towards picture 1. You walk under the bridge in picture 1 keeping to your right until you see the Aer Lingus on your right, walk past the Air Lingus office building. Continue walking, you walk into that little gate (picture 2) and walk past the building until you get to picture 3, Air Lingus Cargo terminal 1. You go through the gate where the white hut is on the left of the picture and into the building. Once in the building you will go up the stairs to the second floor.
The shipping company if you use Animal Travel Services flying the Pets with Lufthansa will also be to the left of the “Cargo Terminal 1” building.
The company Animal Travel Services used for the shipping was WFS (Worldwide Flight Services)
It is all walking distance but obviously you want to get your transport first and drive to the shipping company where the pets will be.
Important links:
#MapMyMove- Our coaching Services - Confused or lost and need some direction, book a session with us to help untangle the confusion and work out your route of immigration
Requirements to bring Pets to Ireland Gov.ie
Citizen Information - Citizens Information owning a pet in Ireland
Checklist
Prepare and depart for Ireland
|
Wait time/ When |
Action |
|
|
Now |
Obtain Quotes from Animal Travel Companies |
You will require height to head, height to shoulder, length, width and weight |
|
Now |
Microchip |
|
|
Now |
5-1 Injections |
|
|
Now |
Rabies Injection |
|
|
Now |
Feed pets Omega 3 & 6 to boost immunisation |
|
|
Wait 31 Days |
Rabie Titer Test + Booster |
If pass, can travel 91 days AFTER Blood drawn (not lab test date or results received date) |
|
If test failed, take pet 2-3 weeks after booster was administered |
Rabies Titer Test (Booster optional) |
Repeat until pass |
|
Anytime |
Book with your preferred Animal Travel Company |
|
|
Anytime |
Pay deposit to Animal Travel Company |
|
|
Anytime |
Complete forms as required for travel. Animal Travel Company will provide |
|
|
Anytime |
Book own flight tickets once Animal Travel Company confirmed that they will book flights and approximate date which they can only confirm 10 days before actual travel |
|
|
Anytime |
Send copy of your flight tickets to Animal Travel Company |
|
|
Anytime |
Ensure you know the telephone number and address of the closest/best Vet in Ireland where you will be living |
|
|
10 days before travel |
Animal Travel Company will confirm flight numbers, dates and time |
|
|
10 days before travel |
Animal Travel Company will send you EU Health Certificate with all Pet details on it. You print and take with to Vet. |
|
|
5 days or less before travel |
Take pets to Vet for health check to fly, deworming and complete EU Health Certificate. Vet must SIGN and STAMP and DATE the form |
|
|
+-3 days before travel |
Animal Travel Company will deliver at least one crate so animal can acclimatise to the crate |
|
|
+-3 days before travel |
Animal Travel Company will collect papers (EU Health Certificate and all other original pets certificates) to take to State Vet |
|
|
2 days before travel |
Administer Calmeeze per day |
According to Vet directions and per weight of dog |
|
2 days before travel |
Buy some snacks and keep in luggage for when you arrive in Ireland |
|
|
Day of travel |
Put old unwashed clothing in crate. No toys, no collars |
|
|
Day of Travel |
Animal Travel Company will fetch the pets in the crates and take them to the airport. |
Pets can eat until few hours before they are fetched depending how prone they are to air or car sickness. They rather go a little bit hungry than lay in their own vomit. |
Arrival in Ireland (Own Clearance)
|
Wait time/ When |
Action |
|
|
Day of arrival |
Obtain paperwork from shipping company |
|
|
Day of arrival |
Go to customs to have pets cleared |
Note: Customs close at 17h00 weekdays and are closed over weekends. |
|
Day of arrival |
Back to shipping company, pay small fee and get pets |
|
|
Day of arrival |
Have water and some snacks available for pets |
|
|
Day of arrival |
Buy dog food on way home |
|
|
Within days of arrival |
Buy Dog licenses at AN Post |
|
|
Within days of arrival |
Take pets to Vet to verify Microchip number and register pets on Fido.ie or similar database |
Register on Fido or similar database will ensure pets are known throughout EU. |
|
Optional: Get EU Pat Passport at 50 Euro per pet |
Ensure Titer test results are also captured in Pet Passport, so take this with you. |
Arrival in Ireland (Using Clearing agents and or State Vet in Ireland)
|
Wait time/ When |
Action |
|
|
When booking travel |
Animal Travel Company must complete Waybill with Consignee as the Clearing Agents in order for them to clear the Pets at Customs |
|
|
Before pets travel |
Send copy of paperwork and copy of passport to clearing agents |
|
|
Day of arrival |
Clearing agents will clear pets from customs and if required, arrange for State Vet to clear Pets |
State Vet ONLY if Pets did NOT travel via another EU country ie Frankfort. |
|
Day of arrival |
Clearing agents will fetch dogs at shipping company and keep them in kennels |
|
|
Day of arrival |
Fetch dogs from kennels |
|
|
Day of arrival |
Buy dog food on way home |
|
|
Within days of arrival |
Buy Dog licenses at AN Post |
|
|
Within days of arrival |
Take pets to Vet to verify Microchip number and register pets on Fido.ie or similar database |
Register on Fido or similar database will ensure pets are known throughout EU. |
|
Optional: Get EU Pat Passport at 50 Euro per pet |
Ensure Titer test results are also captured in Pet Passport, so take this with you. |
If you have a story to share please email us a blog at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
