Traveling with your Furry Friend

Traveling to Europe from the States with your furry friend can be a wonderful experience. Seeing new sights and creating memories together can be a truly special adventure. However, there are certain steps you need to take to ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey.

When we decided to bring our pup, Cookie with us from California to Europe (Spain, Portugal and Croatia), it felt a bit daunting. I spent many hours researching and understanding the process. Cookie had never been on a plane before so we decided to do a trial run and bring her on a short 2.5 hr flight to Washington. We allowed her to become familiar with her travel friendly kennel and the flight was a breeze. She did great! Passengers behind us didn’t realize we had a furry friend until they saw her peek out from her kennel for a breath of fresh air. Now knowing she could fly 2.5 hours, could she do it for 11?

Now, Cookie is a world traveler, she has been all around Portugal, Spain, Croatia and Germany with her European passport.

So if this is your first time traveling internationally with your pet from the US to Europe, don’t worry, it’s not as overwhelming as it seems.

I put together a step by step guide to help you navigate the process.

Make sure to plan ahead: The process could take a few weeks to many months, depending on the requirements of the destination country and where you live. Please work with your veterinarian as soon you know your pet will travel to another country. Traveling with your pet can be somewhat costly, if you’re on a limited budget make sure you understand all of the costs beforehand.

1. Choose Your Destination
First and foremost, decide which European country you want to visit with your pet. Each country has different rules and regulations regarding entry requirements for pets, so make sure to research and choose a pet-friendly destination.

2. Research Pet Entry Requirements
Once you have selected your destination, thoroughly research the pet entry requirements for that particular country. Make sure your pet is qualified to travel. These requirements also include vaccination records, International health certificates, and microchipping. Before a pet can travel internationally, they must be equipped with a 15-digit ISO compatible microchip. If your pet does not have an ISO compatible microchip, you’ll need to have them re-chipped right away.

The EU has two versions of the pet health certificate: the "non-commercial" and the "commercial." Both health certificate versions require an Accredited Veterinarian to issue the health certificate and then USDA must endorse (countersign and emboss/stamp) the health certificate before your pet's travel. Make sure you understand the rules clearly, consulting a USDA Accredited Veterinarian is always your best option. (I got confused and ended up scrambling when I realized I had to issue the health certificate within 5 days of travel.)

European Pet Passport

If you’re traveling through multiple European destinations for a longer period of time, it might be best to look into getting your pet a European passport. After settling down at your first destination, contact a local vet that speaks English and gives European pet passports. For your visit you will need to bring your paperwork, they will provide a brief well check and review your pet’s documents. Our appointment In Madrid lasted 15 minutes and 15 euros later we walked out with Cookie and her EU passport in hand.

Once your pet has their EU passport they can travel freely within most European countries with the exception of the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden and Malta. Their passport is valid for life as long as their rabies vaccination is always up to date!

Tip: Make sure you understand your destination requirements, some airports require you to notify them at least 24-48 hours prior to arrival so they have a veterinarian waiting for your pet. They will do a brief well check and review your pet’s paperwork. The best method of contacting the airport is finding the correct email address, this way you have it documented that you followed their guidelines and notified them.

3. Consult a USDA Accredited Veterinarian
To meet the EU requirements your pet’s veterinarian must be USDA-Accredited. If you need the assistance of an accredited veterinarian, use the "Find an Accredited Veterinarian" tool found here. Schedule a visit right away with your veterinarian to ensure your pet is in good health and up to date on vaccinations required for international travel. Your vet will also provide the necessary documentation and guidance for your pet's safety during the journey.

Always make sure to have your paperwork reviewed and endorsed by APHIS (The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service). If you have any questions you can reach them at: 1-844-820-2234, email them at APHIS.CustomerSupport@usda.gov or use the search tool found here to find your local USDA endorsement office.. Gathering any necessary documentation well in advance will avoid any last-minute stress!

4. Choose an Airline and Pet-Friendly Accommodations
Select an airline that allows pets in the cabin or as checked baggage. If your pet meets the carry-on guidelines, make sure your seat can also accommodate a pet. (For International carriers: most Premium Economy and some Business Class seats are not able to accommodate pets as a carry-on). Ensure that your chosen airline has a good track record of taking care of animals during flights. Once you have decided on your airline and are ready to purchase your flight, it’s best to call the airline directly to ensure they have space for your pet before you purchase your ticket.

Additionally, find pet-friendly accommodations at your destination. Many hotels in Europe cater to pet owners and provide facilities that make traveling with pets easier. Once you have decided on your accommodation, make sure to communicate with them in advance. From our experience, we found that Spain is a very pet-friendly country, many hotels and apartment rentals are accommodating to pets.

Tip: If you’re staying in a busy metropolitan area, it’s always convenient to find accommodations that are near a park or patchy area for your pet to use the bathroom.

5. Plan the Journey
Plan your journey in detail, considering factors such as layovers, pet relief areas at airports, and any additional requirements specific to your pet. Take note of the airline's guidelines regarding pet carriers, as they must meet certain size and ventilation criteria. Cookie experimented with a few pet carriers and she decided this one was her favorite: Smiling Paws Pets - Airline Approved Pet Carrier - for Small Pets - TSA Approved. This pet carrier is expandable and has great ventilation, once we settled on the plane we were able to expand the carrier so she could spread herself out.

Tip: It’s always nice to keep a travel size water bowl handy just in case your pet gets thirsty, especially during long flights and layovers.

6. Prepare Your Pet for the Journey
Help your pet adjust to the travel carrier well in advance by gradually introducing it before the trip. This will reduce their anxiety and make them feel more comfortable during the journey. Familiarize your pet with being in confined spaces, and consider taking them on shorter trips beforehand to acclimate them to traveling on a plane. To familiarize Cookie with her pet carrier, we left it open in a corner of our home where she frequently took her naps. Taking her on a shorter 2.5 flight prior to our long flight to trip allowed her to know what to expect.

Tip from our Vet: It’s best not to feed your dog 24 hours before a flight as this might upset their stomach, however always make sure they’re well hydrated. I asked our Vet for motion sickness medication to have on hand in case Cookie’s stomach got upset during our long 11 hour flight.

7. Pack Essentials for Your Pet
When packing for your pet, include essentials such as food, water, medication, toys, bedding, and any necessary travel documents. Also, remember to carry a leash, collar with identification tags, waste bags, and any other items that may be required during the journey.

Tip: Make sure all of your pet’s paperwork and medication is with your carry-on. Once you arrive to the destination airport they will need to review your documents.

8. Stay Calm

For any additional questions regarding pet travel, refer to APHIS for Frequently Asked Questions About Traveling With Your Pet.

Safe Travels!!!