Pet News
Traveling with Pets … Do Fluffy and Fido need a passport?
As you probably know, you and your family are now required to have passports to enter the United States. This came into effect as of June of last year. Many of us like to travel with our pets when we take a significant trip. In fact most airlines now allow you to travel with your pet, and some even allow you to bring them into the cabin where you will be sitting (the small ones of course).
Some restaurants, hotels and related travel destinations make pets as welcome as they do their two legged parents.
So before you pack a suitcase for your dog or cat, it’s a good idea to check with the U.S. Customs and Border protection to get the latest regulations regarding pets visiting the United States. You can visit their website at www.cbp.gov. In addition, each state you travel through may have their own specific requirements for vaccinations. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the individual state regulations. That will ensure there are no surprises.
Currently there is not a requirement for a pet passport, the United Kingdom has implemented a program called Pet Travel Scheme or PETS for short. It is a program that allows pets to travel to and from the UK with little restriction. The UK is one of the few countries that has eliminated rabies and therefore has implemented restrictions to prevent a re-infection of their animal population. Previous to the PETS scheme, pets were quarantined for a compulsory 6 months to ensure they were free of rabies.
If you are traveling it is always advisable to obtain up to date records from your veterinarian that have the following clearly stated: Your full name and address that matches your passport, your pet’s full name, date of birth, species (feline or canine), breed and ideally microchip number (this ensures the authorities it is the pet on the documentation). In addition to this identification information, the vaccination due date and related information on the type of vaccination and a statement by your veterinarian certifying that your pet is “clinically free of infectious, contagious or communicable disease” as of a specific date.
As more of us travel with our four legged companions, more resources and services will become available and regulations could change. The trick to traveling in today’s world is never assume, the same is true when it comes to Fido and Fluffy. Ask the right questions to the right people, and always ensure your veterinarian is aware of your plans. The right documentation and vaccinations can make all the difference when you hear the words “Passports please”.
