By Mark Gill, CEO of Petasure

Thinking of taking your dog abroad? Well, be prepared. It’s a maze of paperwork, protocols and potential pitfalls with serious consequences for even the smallest mistake.

Nearly every country requires pets to be microchipped before entry and before receiving a rabies vaccination. Miss this step and the consequences can be severe: customs delays, denied entry, or your pet being sent home at your expense. In the worst cases, the outcome can be even harsher.

It is little wonder that so many owners feel daunted. The truth is this: with proper planning, international travel with your pet can be done safely and smoothly. 

We created the Petasure International Guide for Travel to take the guesswork out of it.

The Petasure International Guide for Travel

1. Test that your pet’s microchip is readable with a scanner.
2. Check that your microchip meets ISO 11784 and ISO 11785. The microchip numbers are typically 15 digits long and can be read by most scanners (Avid, Trovan, Destron, or ISO compatible reader).
3. If it doesn’t match, you CAN ship a scanner along with your pet.
4. Going to Hong Kong? If you don’t have an AVID microchip implanted in your dog, they will need to be re-chipped and have another Rabies vaccination upon arrival.
5. Have your pet registered with Petasure as a backup. If there IS a microchip issue after you’ve set off, at least you will be able to prove ownership.
6. Despite recommendations, do NOT sedate your pet before international travel. Airlines will not transport animals that appear to be sedated. The best way to curb anxiety is to get them acclimated to the travel kennel well in advance and send them with a thin blanket or similar that smells like home.
7. Do consult your vet and confirm the best option in terms of method of travel. Make sure any medication required is available in your destination country, and that you have enough to last you until collection and a nearby vet.
8. Notify airlines/travel companies of any medical issues or pre-existing health conditions.
9. Check your pet is fully compliant with the destination country’s pet import regulations.

Handled properly, taking your pet overseas can be a rewarding and memorable experience. 

With the right preparation, you can avoid the pitfalls, stay fully compliant, and give your companion the calm, safe journey they deserve.

To find out more, or to register your pet with Petasure, visit: www.petasure.co.uk

Collaborative content