Traveling over seas with dog from US - Page 1

If I wanted to take my dog with me overseas how difficult is this to do?  He has his pet passport from when he came to the US from Slovakia but I'm not sure what the requirements are and if it's something I'd want to pursue.  Does this passport have to be renewed like a persons?  Will they quarantine the dog over there or when we have to come back?  We're talking about taking a trip to Greece for the summer and I'm struggling with do I take him since I'll be away for a couple months, do I board him (having a tough time with that one) or do I just have someone stay at my home to care for him so he's not taken out of his element....I'd love to take him with me but this too could be a lot of added hassles if we intend to take short excursions and such.  Just wondered if anyone has gone through this process.

My experience has always been good with importing and exporting dogs to/from Germany when I have travelled with them.  The last dog I brought to Germany was the Fall of 2006 and the last one that reentered the USA was in the Fall of 2006.  Since then things may have changed??? That being said, I do  understand that things have become more difficult due to more stringent veterinary and documentation control when entering Germany.  I am using Germany only as an example, as this may be similar to Greece (EU regulations should apply to Greece as it does to Germany).  The Animal passport will not be enough. Check the Greek Embassy website for the regulations on importing a dog.  Make sure you print off the form in both Greek and English. This document has to be signed off by a USDA licenced vet (therefore also in English).  If the USDA vet is located in another city  than where you reside, you have to consider the time it will take for the USDA vet to process the document and return it to you so that you have it in time for your trip.  The airline will only want a valid health certificate (usually valid only 10 days).  You need to also check about the requirements for re-entering the USA.  I think a health certificate in the English language would be sufficient for the airline and US customs did accept the "valid" animal passport as verification of health and innoculations.  The requirement of the USDA vet on the EU document has lengthened and complicated the process because they may come back at you with questions.  In the past month friends of mine with a dog they adopted from rescue wanted to take their dog with them to Germany on vacation.  Their problem was that the USDA would not accept the microchip on the dog as verification that the dog was innoculated for rabbis.  The dog had be vaccinated while in rescue and subsequently received the microchip and it was the USDA's contention that this did not identify the dog as being the dog that received the vaccination.  So my friends had a problem because the dog needs the rabbis proof at least 30 days prior to leaving the country.

Hope this helps.  It used to be alot easier.  LOL.

Ask also your flight company if they take your dog I know that Delta Airlines don't take animals on board between the 15e off may until 15e off september Check also if you can take him as loggeds it's cheaper only the crate mayn't be big p600 is allowed 

Here is some information about taking your dog to Greece

Healthcetificate yes not older than 6 days

Overview tick dangers  ticks (normal risk) sand flies (increased risk) Hartwurmmosquitos (high risk)

Rabies yes minimum still valid 6 days Validly to maximum 12 months

Maria,

You may want to consider boarding him for the trip if you're going over on holidays.  If you decide to take him, do your homework well.  Many airlines won't carry live animals in the summer because they don't have a climate controlled bay to keep them in.  Even if the planes are equipped, you should verify that the airports where the transfers are taking place also have some facilities to keep Agar cool and comfortable.  I've done a lot of business travel overseas and I've come to expect the unexpected.  Planes break down, flights get delayed.  Your dog may not be treated any better than a piece of luggage.

Also you'll need to validate your travel itinerary, each place that you are staying along the way to make sure you can have your boy with you.  Also, consider all your excursions and places of interest.  Many popular tourist spots don't allow dogs, not even on leash. 

It's different if you're travelling with the dog to some dog event, because then the even organizers have done a lot of the homework for the travellers.  If you're going on vacation, you'll need to research all the details on your own.  You should also see what you can dig up on the dog laws in Greece.  Agar is a big strong male with a protective instinct.  What if some wahoo in Greece provokes him into biting?  In some localities a dog is guilty until proven innocent. 

Sorry if I sound like a wet blanket, but Agar is such a good dog, I'd had to see some mishap befall him.  Best wishes!

Yvette

Yvette,  Thanks for the word or advice.  I never thought about the dog laws over there....that's a very good point.  Of course I'd like to think nothing would happen but what if it did??  Sure would not want to take the chance of anything bad happening to my boy-I'd just die.  We were planning to visit my family there on the island so that part wouldn't be a problem with him staying with me but I do know that everything is different in Greece; the way they perceive tourists and especially how they treat animals.  My uncle had traveled to Turkey while he was in Greece last year-he'd taken his family shopping there and to tour, while walking down the street he got his pocket picked that had $3,000 cash in it.  It was his FRONT pocket to boot.  He said in Turkey especially it is very common for you to expect the unexpected since they are so poor; crime is high also.  This was one of the places my husband and I intended to travel to since it was very close to the island my grandmother lives on.  It would not be a good idea to take Agar there.  I think I'm gonna take your advice and keep him safe in the US; either board him or have someone house sit.  I'm not sure how he'd like being boarded now that he's gotten spoiled with being around people all the time and lounging in the airconditioned house??  I did find out though that traveling with him this summer would be much more challenging than I thought-most all the airlines I contacted that we would possibly fly with said no flying with live animals during that period-too hot and they can't handle the trip.  It might sound crazy but I'm having a real hard time with leaving him behind for a month. lol 

Have you checked with Phyllis about boarding him at Dutch Fork?  He'll be well taken care of there, by someone who knows and understand SchH dogs. 

I would offer to take care of Agar myself except that my husband's Mali pup is coming next week and we've only got two runs in our kennel.

If you're going to do the house sitting option then make sure to get someone who can handle him.  I would bet most of the pet sitters in the yellow pages have never been near a protection trained dog, much less taken care of one.  Phyllis might even be able to recommend someone.

Best wishes!

Yvette

depends on where overseas you are taking the dog to. If you take him for example to Germany there is no quaranteen but you have to have all shots current and you need a certificate from you Vet that the dog is healthy. For the UK the rules are different.  

I have only taken my dogs to Germany with me. As above, there's no quarenteen and as long as innoculations are current there should be no problem. UK is a different story, but I suspect you won't have any issues traveling through the rest of the EU countries freely once you land.

Its a lot of fun to take your dog to Europe. You can take them almost anywhere: restaurants, shopping, many museums, as long as they are well behaved. Licking legs in crowded elevators is tolerated but not always well-received. Ha ha ha. Most restaurants will bring a bowl of water on a hot day, if not a few tidbits of meat from the kitchen. Note: Do not sit at the Stammtische (Regulars Table) unless invited.

I have never been turned away from a hotel with my dog, but occasionally they will ask you not to leave your dog loose in your room, and extended periods of barking is definately out.  Of course there's little need to leave the dog in the room, as they are welcome to dine with you!  I even take mine to the shared bathrooms when I bathe sometimes, if there's room to lay down next to the tub.

"Langasthauses" (country inns in Germany) are generally most tolerant and have the land for nice country walks. they are almost always less expensive than regular city hotels and many raise and butcher their own meat on-site. Yummmm!!!! Amenities are few as a rule (I had to ask for a little TV out of the linen closet, no phone in room, no attached toilet/bath, just a sink.) but I still prefer a family guest house to a chain hotel, value for Euro.

I have a collapsible aluminum crate (an old Bob McKee) that's wonderful for travel. I collapse it and throw it in the back of my rental vehicle, lay the crate mat on top, and let my dog ride free. (No flaming about safety please) I do usually take a spare top sheet to spread over the car and over the bedspread if I am taking a dog that sneaks up on the bed with me at night or is shedding out. If  the rental car (I use Hertz or Alamo in Frankfurt) is particularly dirty/hairy when I depart, I leave a box of beer in the back seat for the rental people. Never heard a thing about it so far. :)))

Hope this helps! SS