Many dog or cat owners will only go on holiday if their beloved pet goes with them. Crossing national borders then means that certain entry requirements have to be observed, particularly with regard to vaccinations. The experts of theFressnapf chain of specialist shops have compiled a list of the requirements that have been in force within EU countries for the import and export of pets (dogs, cats, ferrets) since 2004.

• Your animal must be clearly marked. It must either carry a microchip that permits electronic identification or have an easily readable tattoo. However, the tattoo alone will no longer be sufficient from 2011 at the latest. Ask your vet beforehand about the kind of identification that your animal has or should receive. If the chip does not meet the ISO standard required by the EU, you should ensure that you have your own scanner with you.
• You must take a valid EU pet passport with you to prove that your dog or your cat has been vaccinated against rabies with an inactivated vaccine. The vaccination must have been administered at least 30 days beforehand and a booster vaccination must be given at the legally prescribed intervals. With puppies, a vaccination against rabies is not legally recognized until the young animal is at least twelve weeks old at the time of its first vaccination. Apart from the vaccination, it is generally not advisable to take puppies with you on your travels. To be on the safe side, always ask your vet beforehand so that you can prepare your trip accordingly!
• Please note that in some countries it is compulsory for dogs to be kept on a lead or wear muzzles, and that this is in part also regulated by the individual local councils. In Portugal, for instance, your dog may not travel without a muzzle on any bus operated by local public transport. As a dog owner, you should therefore always have a muzzle with you as a precautionary measure. Also check beforehand whether certain breeds of dog (e. g. Pit Bull Terriers) are forbidden in the country of your holiday destination. This is the case, for instance, in Denmark, France, Great Britain, Hungary and Malta.

Overview of entry requirements for EC countries Download as CMYK - JPEG (Photos may only be reproduced with permission and in connection with editorial text. High-resolution photos can be requested from the Fressnapf press office.)