So now that most of the process is over for me, I figured I'd write out a step-by-step on how to do this. Maybe, someday, it will save someone else the headaches it has caused me with all the research and BS it has entailed.
First things first, let's start with the country you are moving to. Different countries have different requirements. The link below lists countries and their requirements.
International Pet Import Requirements | Pet Relocation
Since we are moving to Germany, we are required to have a rabies vaccination, that is no older than 12 months, but no newer than 30 days from date of departure.
The dogs are also required to be microchipped with an ISO compliant chip. This is so for the European Union, not just Germany. ISO chips are 134kHz-135kHz as opposed to MOST US chips. They are also 15 digits in length, whereas the ones you get here in the US are usually 9-10 digit chips (and run in the 125kHz - 128kHz range) . The 9-10 digit chips are NOT ISO compliant. So if your dog is already chipped with one of these, they are going to need a 2nd chip placed. My local vets only had the 10 digit HomeAgain chips.
HomeAgain makes 15 digit ISO compliant chips. I had to order mine online. I found them at:
Pet Supplies, Dog Supplies, Horse Supplies, Horse Tack, Farm Supplies - Valley Vet Supply
Click on pet, then search microchip.
AVID also makes a 15 digit ISO chip called the Avid EURO chip...I could not find anywhere to purchase these online.
Now that that's done, you're going to need an EU Vet health certificate (Form EC# 998 that can be found at petrelocation.com)
Once you have that, you'll send in your rabies verification, a letter from your vet, the microchip implantation record, and the EU vet health cert to the USDA office to be stamped off on.
Petrelocation.com can also help you with this if it's confusing (which it is to me at least).
CRATES! You're going to need airline approved crates. Some airlines require actual hardware as opposed to the plastic clips that hold them together...SO ASK when you book your ticket, and then ask again when you call to confirm, and then ask again when you confirm your flight and your dogs flight the day prior to departure!!!! Does that sound extreme? Not so much if you want to make sure someone didn't tell you wrong and you find out the day of your flight that you did need it. Better safe than sorry.
You might also want to get an acclimation certificate if it's going to be cold where you are going and your dog is used to the cold, if you don't, they may not let you fly.
Again going with the better safe than sorry attitude, crates need to be 1" or 3" taller than the top of the pets head or EARS (yes EARS). I've been told both, so I'm going with the 3" rule. If your dog has prick ears, they'll measure from the top of those (I confirmed this with Delta airlines), if not, the top of the head. I'm told they can be really anal about this.
You will also need clip on food and water dishes, live animal stickers and a few other things. These are easier to buy in packages already made up at like PetSmart or Petco.
It's a good idea to give them things they can't choke on but that will keep them busy for a little bit as well, kongs stuffed with peanut butter comes to mind. Might as well try to make the trip as pleasant for them as possible, because if they are over 15 lbs or your flight is more than 6 hours...they're going in cargo. But not just cargo like your bags do, they have pressurized and temperature controlled places for live animals.
Now you've done all that...but you still aren't done! Your pet needs an International Health Certificate issued by your vet, that is no older than 10 days at time of departure. Yes, you have the EU vet health cert. But you need an international one as well. Most vets should have these in stock, but again, call and ask them prior to their appointment so you don't end up up the creek sans paddle.
Right now, this is as far as we've gotten with the process. I'll write more as things and issues arise (you know they will) and ways to avoid these problems. I'll also do a write-up on what to expect when you land at your destination.
First things first, let's start with the country you are moving to. Different countries have different requirements. The link below lists countries and their requirements.
International Pet Import Requirements | Pet Relocation
Since we are moving to Germany, we are required to have a rabies vaccination, that is no older than 12 months, but no newer than 30 days from date of departure.
The dogs are also required to be microchipped with an ISO compliant chip. This is so for the European Union, not just Germany. ISO chips are 134kHz-135kHz as opposed to MOST US chips. They are also 15 digits in length, whereas the ones you get here in the US are usually 9-10 digit chips (and run in the 125kHz - 128kHz range) . The 9-10 digit chips are NOT ISO compliant. So if your dog is already chipped with one of these, they are going to need a 2nd chip placed. My local vets only had the 10 digit HomeAgain chips.
HomeAgain makes 15 digit ISO compliant chips. I had to order mine online. I found them at:
Pet Supplies, Dog Supplies, Horse Supplies, Horse Tack, Farm Supplies - Valley Vet Supply
Click on pet, then search microchip.
AVID also makes a 15 digit ISO chip called the Avid EURO chip...I could not find anywhere to purchase these online.
Now that that's done, you're going to need an EU Vet health certificate (Form EC# 998 that can be found at petrelocation.com)
Once you have that, you'll send in your rabies verification, a letter from your vet, the microchip implantation record, and the EU vet health cert to the USDA office to be stamped off on.
Petrelocation.com can also help you with this if it's confusing (which it is to me at least).
CRATES! You're going to need airline approved crates. Some airlines require actual hardware as opposed to the plastic clips that hold them together...SO ASK when you book your ticket, and then ask again when you call to confirm, and then ask again when you confirm your flight and your dogs flight the day prior to departure!!!! Does that sound extreme? Not so much if you want to make sure someone didn't tell you wrong and you find out the day of your flight that you did need it. Better safe than sorry.
You might also want to get an acclimation certificate if it's going to be cold where you are going and your dog is used to the cold, if you don't, they may not let you fly.
Again going with the better safe than sorry attitude, crates need to be 1" or 3" taller than the top of the pets head or EARS (yes EARS). I've been told both, so I'm going with the 3" rule. If your dog has prick ears, they'll measure from the top of those (I confirmed this with Delta airlines), if not, the top of the head. I'm told they can be really anal about this.
You will also need clip on food and water dishes, live animal stickers and a few other things. These are easier to buy in packages already made up at like PetSmart or Petco.
It's a good idea to give them things they can't choke on but that will keep them busy for a little bit as well, kongs stuffed with peanut butter comes to mind. Might as well try to make the trip as pleasant for them as possible, because if they are over 15 lbs or your flight is more than 6 hours...they're going in cargo. But not just cargo like your bags do, they have pressurized and temperature controlled places for live animals.
Now you've done all that...but you still aren't done! Your pet needs an International Health Certificate issued by your vet, that is no older than 10 days at time of departure. Yes, you have the EU vet health cert. But you need an international one as well. Most vets should have these in stock, but again, call and ask them prior to their appointment so you don't end up up the creek sans paddle.
Right now, this is as far as we've gotten with the process. I'll write more as things and issues arise (you know they will) and ways to avoid these problems. I'll also do a write-up on what to expect when you land at your destination.
