Catherine N. Says:
What countries/cities allow you to bring (two little) dogs without quarantine? That’s my biggest concern.
IL Executive Editor Jennifer Stevens Writes:
Hi Catherine,
Each country has its own rules and documents, which can change over time. The best place to start research is at the USDA Pet Travel website, which covers requirements for dogs, cats, ferrets, and sometimes exotics (i.e. birds and reptiles).
The USDA website not only lists requirements but often offers downloads of the actual health forms used. Not every country has listed information, but the majority are included.
The health certificates included on the USDA pet website will outline all the owner and pet information, as well as vaccines and testing requirements if needed.
Once you identify where to go, the next step is deciding how to get your dogs there.
You may wish to consider using a professional pet shipper. Airlines have a relationship with pet shippers.
The International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA) was incorporated in the US in 1979. Today, over 450 members exist in 90 countries, serving over 700 airports. Airlines have a working relationship with these agents, and often require an IPATA member to handle the booking and tendering of the pet for shipment as manifest cargo.
Pet shipping is a niche industry, and members in the association have contacts all over the world to assist with a pet move, making door-to-door moves seamless.
Read more about booking travel with a pet shipper here.
For country-specific advice, read about shipping pets to Costa Rica and Mexico here, or bringing your dogs to Europe here.
Hope that helps!
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