New Country, New bugs!!

My dogs traveled to Germany and were such a delight to all that were willing to stop and say hello!  The only problem we have found is that 1. The food is different! Even those we used while in the States, they are developed in Europe and use different foods.  Our little babies simply didn't fair well eating them; so we started feeding them from the table - they loved the sweet potatoes and cucumber.. I gave them some raw meat, which they devoured.. and then I had to look in the meanwhile for a new option..

When walking in the park, we met some new dogs, also Schnauzers! Amazing.. One suggested orijen as did a friend back home.. and brought some food to the park for my girls to try.. they loved the food they taste tested.. So, atlas, Orijen here we come..

International flights from the US.. What to do??

PET TRAVEL.
   I am writing this blog because there are so many "hoops" to jump through before going on an international flight with an animal. Perhaps this blog can be a 'cheat sheet' so to speak for newcommers who need to do it for the first time!   My dogs Chloe & Hershey came with me on an 11+ hour flight and they are troopers.. Hopefully your dog is too!
     Once you know the destination, please research to learn about country regulations' - what you need to do for your dog to travel to that particular country.  Islands (Hawaii, UK, Finland, etc..)have special regulations and more needs to be done in advance to assure you can bring your animal. This blog goes over my experience with traveling to the EU. Germany was my destination, and I did the following things to prepare to take my dogs:


1. Review the USDA website with respect to the country that you intend to travel: 
(EU: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, *Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain) Click the country you will be travelling
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/vs/iregs/animals/

(For Germany to download the EU Form 998:)

 http://www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/vs/iregs/animals/downloads/ee_no_com_pt.pdf

1a. Download the form and (in the case for the European Union - Form 998) Fill the form out!  The following information comes from the USDA office:

Download the form needed to get your animal into the country

• Go to http://www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/vs/iregs/animals
• Click on the specific EU country.  Under “Pets” there will be a non-commercial form for Domestic Dogs, Cats and Ferrets, dated March 2009.  Download the bilingual certificate;  or
• Click on “E” for the European Union.  This is an English version of the certificate that may be used, for other countries, when a bilingual certificate is not available.

If traveling with your pet and your pet is either in the cabin or listed as excess baggage, use the non-commercial certificate. If traveling with your pet, and your pet is listed as cargo, or if your pet is traveling alone, you may need the commercial certificate and are advised to check with the consulate or embassy to be sure you have the correct form. If traveling with more than 5 pets, the commercial certificate is required. 

EU’s Requirements

      Sequence:  Microchip then rabies

• The form must be completed and signed by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian (Veterinarian Authorized by the Competent Authority) after the animal is examined.  It must be endorsed by the USDA veterinarian (Competent Authority).

• Sections I-IV of the EU 998 should be completed for all countries.

• The pet must be microchipped with an ISO compatible microchip.
• The pet must be vaccinated against rabies. The EU will not recognize any rabies vaccination done prior to the microchip.  The first rabies vaccine done AFTER the microchip must be at least 21 days old for the pet to be eligible to enter the EU.

• *Finland requires an Echinococcus tapeworm treatment within 30 days of departure;  this treatment should be recorded in Section VII of the EU 998 (either before or after endorsement).
• No other tests or treatments are required for any of the above listed countries.

Microchip Information

• The pet must be microchipped with an ISO 11784 or ISO 11785 Annex A microchip.  Home Again and AVID Euro are ISO 11785 compatible.
• Non EURO AVID microchips may be accepted if the traveler provides a microchip reader at the port of entry.
• If there are 2 microchips, and the rabies vaccination was completed after the non-ISO chip but before the ISO chip, both microchip numbers must be on the certificate with the corresponding dates of implantation.
• Have your veterinarian check with their microchip supplier for microchip information.

Documents Needed by the USDA’s Office

• An original “Veterinary Certificate for Domestic Dogs, Cats and Ferrets entering the European Community (Regulation (EC) No 998-2003)” signed and dated by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian.  Blue ink is preferred for the veterinarian’s signature.
• A signed  Rabies Vaccination certificate with the following information:
1. Complete description of the animal (name, breed, sex, age, color, DOB, microchip number)
2. Date vaccination was given and the date the next vaccination is due.
3. Vaccine manufacturer, vaccine lot # and lot expiration date.
4. License number of the veterinarian who signed the rabies certificate.
• The rabies vaccination used must be an inactivated vaccine produced in accordance with OIE      standards.  If it is a recombinant vaccine, the word “recombinant” must be on the certificate
• Documents Needed by the USDA’s Office (continued)
• • A signed APHIS Form 7001 (optional - usually required by the airline).
  Contact your airline representative to find out if this form is required.  The form is valid for 30 days, from the date signed by your vet, however, some airlines have specific time constraints.  For example, they may require the form to be signed within 10 days of departure.
  
  
  Fee Schedule, USDA (Competent Authority): EU 998:  $36.00 for each certificate.  No charge for the International Health Certificate for Small Animals (APHIS Form 7001), normally $36.00, submitted with the EU form.
  
  
  Make checks and money orders payable to: USDA APHIS.  All credit cards are accepted.  We do not accept cash.  Please include a driver’s license number on any check.
• Find your nearest USDA office to have your document accredited. You can mail it or walk-in an office to be accredited. 

2. Call the Airline. I have found Lufthansa to be superior in knowledge and care of animals.. Each airline is different, so please call ahead and make the reservation for your dog and find the rules for the flight.  

• Depending on the Airline, the charges are different. Lufthansa recently *July 2011* charges $100 for small, $200 for a medium dog to be placed in the hull of the Aircraft.  United charges $250/ea.  
• Each Airline requires different requirements.  When checked in hull of the aircraft: Lufthansa asked me to provide a sample of food. Include in crate a water bottle for the dog to drink.  The crate must be big enough for the animal to stand up and turn around. I needed to have a paper on the side of the crate that included information as to the Dogs feeding schedule, name, weight, date of birth, breed and my contact information.
• On-Board animals count as your on-flight luggage, and must have an approved crate (I used a Sherpa brand), and must fit under the seat in-front of you. Please register the animal before flight as they are guaranteed on-board.  I brought food, two bowls, a leash, some poop bags, and miscellaneous things in the event they were needed. (note, some animals may need tranquilizers to keep them calm on long flights- these are prescribed by the veterinarian) Please test tranquilizers in advance of your trip.

3. USDA Accredited Veterinarian: An accredited veterinarian must give a health certificate no more than 10 days from the departure date. Please call the Veterinarian in advance and ask if they are accredited to issue a Health Certificate for travel. After you get this Health Certificate, you go to the nearest USDA office and get the form certified. (bring all your papers including the microchip details, the rabies vaccination, and the health certificate)

4. USDA certificate must be validated by a USDA office after you obtain a copy of the rabies certificate, and valid microchip validation, and health certificate. The USDA certification lasts up to 30 days.

5. Call the Airline to verify that your animal is on your reservation and you have prepared all things in advance.

6. On the day of the flight, arrive 2 hours in advance to check-in and have animal processed... and have a Safe Flight!


7. When you arrive at your destination, please find a suitable location to help relieve the dog. It is important as most that are potty trained have waited the entire flight to go to the bathroom.

Miscellaneous Information

• If there are problems with your documents USDA will contact your veterinarian.  They will only contact the pet owner if we are unable to resolve the problem.
• Use the yellow pages to find a USDA accredited veterinarian.  United States Department of Agriculture personnel can verify the veterinarian is accredited if you provide a name.        
• The US does not issue pet passports.  The EU 998 (Veterinary Certificate) is used instead of a pet passport.  

The EU certificate is valid for 4 months after signature by your veterinarian, or until the date of expiration of the vaccination shown in Part IV, whichever is earlier.