![How to travel overseas with pets](/uploads/4/9/8/0/49807281/international-travel-with-pets_orig.jpg)
If you are planning to travel with Scout or Mr. Whiskers, we recommend that you follow the steps below to prevent any hassles on your trip with your pet.
Check the Pet Travel Requirements of Your Destination Country
Every country has their own rules about the importation of live animals, including domestic pets like cats and dogs. The biggest potential problem you may face when traveling with your pet is quarantine. If your pet is quarantined, it means that he will be taken to a government-controlled kennel facility to be kept in isolation until the authorities can be certain that he does not carry any dangerous communicable diseases like rabies. Pets who are quarantined may have to spend several months in the quarantine facility before they are reunited with their owners!
The good news is that if you can provide appropriate paperwork to show that your animal is healthy and fully vaccinated, your pet should be cleared to enter your destination country with you. A good place to start checking the pet travel requirements is the USDA Pet Travel website. You can also contact the embassy of your destination country to find out exactly what documentation will be required.
Check the “Pet Passport” Requirements
The term “Pet Passport” was created by European Union authorities. In the interest of easy travel between European nations, the EU instituted a Pet Travel Scheme to coordinate the paperwork requirements for taking domestic animals between EU countries. Veterinarians in Europe are able to put together a blue Pet Passport book for dogs, cats, and ferrets that contains all the animal’s health and immunization records. Once the animal has that EU Pet Passport, they are able to travel with their owner across the continent and to the United Kingdom.
Outside of the European Union, you may still hear people talking about “pet passports.” These aren’t actual passport books, but just refer to the health records and certificates that your dog or cat will need to travel internationally. In the United States, these documents are issued by veterinarians and by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture).