Walking the Camino with your dog or sailing through the South Seas with your cat… Videos shared on social media make it clear: pets are companions, friends and even family members. For many emigrants or globetrotters, leaving their animal companion behind is simply a no-go. However, emigrating and travelling with animals presents a number of challenges. Read on to find out how to overcome them.
Anyone wishing to move abroad with a pet is faced with a multitude of complex rules and regulations. Don’t let this discourage you – as challenging as it may be, emigrating with pets is possible in many cases. However, be sure to allow sufficient time and budget. Good preparation is essential.
Please note: The following information relates to travelling and emigrating with dogs or cats. Other pets such as ferrets, birds or exotic animals are not covered in this article.
Basic Requirements
In principle, these are the legal regulations of your destination country as well as any transit countries. In addition to country-specific requirements, your dog or cat will generally need a valid rabies vaccination, a pet passport and a microchip.
Rabies vaccination: When emigrating, you must provide proof of a rabies vaccination that is valid at the time of departure. This means that, in the case of a first vaccination, your four-legged companion must have been vaccinated at least 21 days before travelling. If you are renewing an existing valid vaccination, this 21-day waiting period generally does not apply. Discuss this with your vet.
Be sure to consult the vaccination guidelines of your destination country and any transit countries, as stricter regulations may apply. There may also be rules regarding who is authorised to administer the vaccination or how proof of vaccination must be presented.
Pet passport: In Switzerland, a pet passport can be issued by any licensed veterinarian. This document records, among other things, the vaccinations and examinations your animal has received. The rabies vaccination must also be entered here.
Microchip: This is a rice-grain-sized transponder implanted under the skin on the left side of the neck. Each chip contains a unique ID number with information about the animal and its owner – but only if the animal is registered. In Switzerland, initial registration in the national databases AMICUS (for dogs) and ANIS (for cats and others) is usually carried out by the vet.
In Switzerland, microchipping dogs is mandatory. Cats are not yet subject to this requirement. If your cat does not yet have a chip, you must arrange this before emigrating. Costs vary but are usually between CHF 80 and 100.
What Other Regulations Apply?
This depends on various factors: your destination country, the country of origin of the pet and the type of animal. Regulations in transit countries must also be observed. Requirements therefore vary from case to case.
Be aware that some countries have extremely strict import regulations for animals, while others impose transport rules and reporting obligations. This can be time-consuming and costly, so clarify the requirements well in advance.
If you are travelling with more than five animals, this is generally considered a commercial import/export within Europe and special conditions usually apply.
Detailed information can be obtained from the competent authority, customs administration or embassy of your destination country. When emigrating to a non-European country, examinations by designated veterinarians, special forms and sometimes prior approvals from the relevant ministry may be required. The online tool provided by the Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) can also be very helpful. Always verify the official information provided by the countries concerned.
In addition, it is essential to review the general animal welfare regulations in your destination country. Must your dog wear a muzzle in public? Is your cat allowed to roam freely? Finally, consider whether your dog may be refused entry or transit due to its breed. Not all countries classify the same breeds or crossbreeds as “listed dogs”. A listed dog may face unpleasant or even severe consequences when travelling or being imported. Make sure in advance whether your loyal companion could fall under such regulations and what measures might apply.
Beware of Quarantine
Some countries always require quarantine. In others, quarantine may be imposed if entry documents are missing or incomplete, if your animal has not been vaccinated and examined in accordance with regulations, if there is suspicion of illness, or if you are entering from a country considered high-risk for certain diseases. In certain countries (such as Australia, New Zealand or Iceland), your pet may be required to undergo quarantine for several weeks or even months.
During quarantine, your pet is isolated and monitored for a specified period to ensure that no diseases are imported. Bear in mind that this process can be highly stressful for your animal. Quarantine or veterinary assessments can also become very expensive very quickly. If costs are not paid, or if the animal is deemed unfit for import or ill, euthanasia may even be a risk. Consider carefully whether you are willing to put your pet through this experience.
Don’t Forget to Deregister Your Dog
In Switzerland, all dogs must be registered with the municipality or canton due to the dog tax. Remember to deregister your dog before leaving. You can find a link here to the relevant addresses, regulations and forms. In addition, your dog must be deregistered or re-registered in the national dog database AMICUS.
Check whether you need to register your pet in your new country of residence in accordance with local reporting requirements.
Don’t Forget About Returning
Make sure that, if you return to Switzerland (whether for a visit or permanently), your pet can re-enter the country with you. Continue vaccinating your animal regularly while abroad.
Please note that it is prohibited to import dogs with cropped ears or docked tails into Switzerland. This can cause problems, particularly when returning permanently, and in the worst case the dog may be refused entry at the border. Clarify the situation in advance with the Swiss customs authorities. Further information is available on the website of the Federal Customs Administration.
A Few Final Tips
Train your pet to travel in a carrier or wear a harness. Especially for air travel – where, due to size or destination country regulations, the animal may have to travel in the cargo hold – early familiarisation with the transport crate can help minimise stress. Choose your airline and route carefully.
When packing your travel first-aid kit, remember your furry companion. Your vet can advise you on the necessary medication in your destination country.
Also ask yourself objectively and self-critically whether the journey or emigration will suit your pet. Older animals may struggle to adapt to a new environment or may no longer cope with the rigours of travel. Likewise, a thick-coated Husky may not fare well in Caribbean temperatures.
Once you have met all requirements and completed the necessary procedures, you are ready to go. Then it’s finally time to start a new life – for you and your four-legged companion.
Schlagworte:AuslandauswandernHaustiereTravel