Going abroad, especially a forced one, is always an emotionally and physically exhausting event. For many of our refugees who visit with their pets, this becomes a double challenge. With many countries having their own rules and restrictions on the transportation of animals, this process can be complicated and full of unpredictable nuances. For those traveling abroad, IA “FAKT” provides the following advice.
Rules and regulations
Before traveling abroad with a pet, owners should familiarize themselves with the rules and regulations of the country they plan to move to. Each country has its own requirements for vaccinations, microchips, disease tests and other procedures, some for transporting animals. To travel with animals to Europe, you need to leave several steps:
- Chipping: The animal must have a microchip for identification. The procedure is safe and takes place in a veterinary clinic at a cost of approx 350-500 hryvnias.
- Vaccination against rabies: Vaccination should be carried out in a veterinary clinic using certified vaccines. The cost of the service is approx 150 hryvnias.
- Anti-rabies antibody test: This is a laboratory test that shows the level of protection against rabies after vaccination. The cost of research is close 2200 hryvnias
- European-style port: This document is issued by veterinary institutions and allows to grow with animals within Europe. Registration fee – 51 hryvnias 29 kopecks. Before traveling, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the border crossing requirements of your chosen country, as failure to comply with these rules may result in a refusal to cross the border or even confiscation of the animal.
Transportation
Transporting animals across the border can be stressful for them. Some animals, especially cats and dogs, may experience panic or anxiety in unfamiliar surroundings or when traveling. Therefore, to ensure the comfort and safety of your pets, it is necessary to purchase high-quality carriers, hygiene products and sedatives.
Financial expenses
Transporting animals abroad can be quite expensive – costs for medical procedures, vaccinations, transportation and the need for accreditation. So, before traveling with animals, you need to plan your budget with this in mind.
Advice from veterinarians
Vasyl Ivanov, a veterinarian from Kyiv:
“One of the biggest challenges facing refugees resettling with animals is uniform standards of transportation and medical care. This leads to confusion and misunderstanding, both globally and nationally.”
Olga Petrenko, a veterinarian from Lviv:
“Another problem is insufficient resources for medical examination and treatment of animals before travel. This can pose a threat both to the animal itself and to the health of other animals and people in the destination country.”
Vets discuss the need for cooperation between international and national organizations to create common standards and provide more support to animal refugees to make the process safer and more efficient for all parties. It is important to have a clear understanding of the process and requirements associated with transporting animals.
Planning to travel abroad with an animal requires preliminary preparation and temporary implementation of all certain procedures. This is a certain responsibility, but with the right approach should not be a problem for both owners and their animals.
