Dog and Cat Transportation
There are three options for transporting your cat and dog to Spain:
1. By air – Certain airlines will transport pets but they only use certain airports. Check if the airports are convenient for you. You will need to provide an IATA approved carrier which is the right size for your pet and which is fully labelled with all of your contact details.
2. By car – If you are travelling within Europe, you will be able to transport your cat and dog by car, as long as they have a European passport and are restrained – in crates. If you are coming from the UK, you will be able to travel through the tunnel or by some ferries. Certain ferries have kennels and exercise yards.
Before travelling, you must check the regulations regarding importing pets into Spain. In the UK, you can check the DEFRA website:- http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalH/quarantine/pets/index.htm).
Remember to budget for the cost of moving your pets to Spain – transport, vets bills etc. When I looked into how to get my dog and cat to Spain, I was surprised to find that it was more expensive than my family's travel arrangements!
If you are travelling to Spain from Europe with your cat and dog, you will need a European Passport for each pet. This passport is issued by your vet and gives information on your cat or dog . Type of animal, breed, colour, ID number, details of vaccinations including Rabies. Your cat and dog will need to be microchipped because it is the law in Spain for pets to be microchipped and the number recorded on the passport.
Pet Passports and the UK
If you intend to travel back to the UK or Ireland (also Malta and Sweden) with your cat and dog, you will need to enrol your pet into the Pets' Travel Scheme, PETS. To be entered into this scheme, your cat and dog will need to have:-
- An ISO approved microchip.
- Up to date Rabies vaccinations. A blood test needs to show immunity.
- A valid pet passport which has been stamped and signed by a vet.
- Had treatment for ticks and tapeworms 24-48 hours before travelling. This needs to be done by a vet and certified.
Regulations regarding importing your pets from the USA and Canada are similar. They should have been vaccinated against Rabies and have had up to date boosters, to have been tattoed or microchipped with an ISO approved microchip and they also need a certificate, no older than 4 months, from a vet confirming details such as owner and animal details, ID number and vaccination history. You should check regulations before booking travel:-
US Citizens can check on www.mapausa.org/Viaje/Animal/Nocomercial/dcf.htm
and Canadians can get further information on transporting pets at www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/heasan/export/petcom/ec_ce_esp_infoe.shtm
Health Concerns in Spain
There are a few diseases that you need to protect your dog against:-
Leishmaniasis,
Babesiosis
Heartworm
See your vet in Spain to purchase preventative treatment to protect your pet.
