Moving Abroad With Your Pets
Pet immigration is regulated under strict veterinary biosecurity laws. A single missed timeline window or an unapproved microchip can trigger mandatory 4-to-6-month quarantine detention or entry refusal. Here are the official authorities and required protocols.
Critical Pet Travel Rules (Non-Negotiable)
Vets and airlines strictly enforce these biosecurity regulations down to the hour.
The ISO 11784/11785 microchip MUST be implanted and scanned before the rabies vaccine is administered. Any rabies vaccine given prior to microchipping is legally invalid for export.
Australia and Japan mandate a 180-day waiting period between the successful rabies titer blood draw and the flight date. Do not book travel until titer results are in hand.
The UK, UAE, and Australia ban specific breeds (Pit Bull, Dogo Argentino, XL Bully). Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds also face severe commercial airline flight embargoes in warmer months.
The 7-Step Pet Relocation Timeline
Start at least 6 to 9 months before your scheduled relocation flight date.
1. Microchip Implantation (ISO 11784/11785)
CRITICAL: Microchip MUST be scanned and documented BEFORE or at the exact same moment the rabies vaccine is given. If vaccinated before microchipping, the vaccination is legally invalid for export.
By: Licensed Veterinarian
2. Primary Rabies Vaccination & Boosters
Administered at 12+ weeks of age. Some destinations (Japan) require two doses spaced at least 30 days apart. Wait 21-30 days before drawing blood for titer.
By: Licensed Veterinarian
3. Rabies Antibody Titration (FAVN / Titer Test)
Mandatory for Australia, New Zealand, Japan, UAE, and for pets entering the UK/EU from unlisted countries. Blood draw must show titre >= 0.5 IU/ml. Japan and Australia require a 180-day waiting period post-draw.
By: Authorized Reference Laboratory (e.g., Kansas State, Auburn)
4. Government Import Permit Application
Required for Australia (DAFF), New Zealand (MPI), Japan (40-day notification to AQS), and UAE (MOCCAE). Secure quarantine facility reservation before applying for Australia/NZ.
By: Applicant / Pet Relocation Specialist
5. Airline Crate Training & Manifested Cargo Booking
IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR) container requirement: pet must stand, turn around, and lie down naturally. Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds face airline embargoes.
By: Applicant / IPATA Registered Pet Shipper
6. Pre-Travel Clinical Exam & Parasite Treatments
Tapeworm treatment (Praziquantel) for UK, Ireland, Malta, Finland between 24-120 hrs. External parasite treatment (ticks/fleas). Clinical health check confirming fit to fly.
By: USDA-Accredited / Official Veterinarian
7. Official Government Endorsement (Export Health Certificate)
VEHCS electronic or ink-embossed certificate. Must travel with original endorsed document. Certificate is valid for 10 days from issuance for EU entry.
By: Government Veterinary Service (USDA APHIS, CFIA, DEFRA)
Official Country Pet Import Portals
Direct access to national biosecurity and animal quarantine authorities.
Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) / Directorate Animal Health
gov.za/services/import/import-animals-and-animal-products
ISO 11784 / 11785 (15-digit) microchip implanted BEFORE rabies vaccination
Rabies vaccination must be at least 30 days old and not more than 12 months prior to entry.
Titer Timing: Blood draw for Trypanosoma evansi (surra) and Brucella abortus for dogs prior to export
Dogs require negative blood tests for heartworm, Babesia, and Leishmania.
14 days quarantine at official stations (Johannesburg or Cape Town) if coming from high-risk regions.
No specific breed bans; all dogs must fulfill DAFF blood test requirements.
Division of Veterinary Services (DVS), Ministry of Agro Industry
agriculture.govmu.org / residency.mu
ISO 11784 / 11785 15-digit microchip
Rabies vaccine administered between 60 days and 12 months before entry.
Titer Timing: Rabies antibody titer test required at least 30 days post-vaccination
Internal & external parasite treatment within 48 hours of departure.
Mandatory 5 to 30 days quarantine at Reduit Animal Quarantine Station.
Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Terrier, American Bulldog, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro
Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) / State Department for Livestock
kilimo.go.ke / etakenya.go.ke
ISO 11784/11785 microchip
Vaccination at least 1 month and not more than 12 months before arrival.
No quarantine if accompanied by valid Import Permit and Health Certificate.
No explicit breed bans, but temperament assessment may apply.
APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) / Defra
gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain
ISO 11784 / 11785 (15-digit) implanted BEFORE rabies vaccination
Must be vaccinated at >= 12 weeks of age. 21-day wait before travel for primary vaccine.
Titer Timing: 30 days post-jab blood draw, then 3-month wait if traveling from unlisted countries
MANDATORY for dogs: Praziquantel administered by a vet between 24 and 120 hours (1–5 days) before GB arrival.
No quarantine if compliant. Up to 4 months rabies quarantine at owner expense if non-compliant.
Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, XL Bully (banned without exemption certificate)
European Commission Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety
food.ec.europa.eu / europa.eu
ISO 11784/11785 readable microchip (or readable tattoo applied before 3 July 2011)
Inactivated or recombinant vaccine, valid at time of travel; at least 21 days after primary protocol.
Titer Timing: Required for unlisted countries: antibody titration >= 0.5 IU/ml with 3-month wait
Finland, Ireland, Malta require Echinococcus tapeworm treatment 24-120 hrs before entry.
No quarantine if valid EU Health Certificate / EU Pet Passport is presented at Travelers' Point of Entry.
Varies by member state (e.g., Spain requires Potentially Dangerous Dog (PPP) municipal licensing for Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Staffies).
USDA APHIS / CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel · cdc.gov/importation/dogs
ISO-compliant microchip recommended and required for CDC Dog Import Form submission
Dogs from rabies-free or low-risk countries need CDC Dog Import Form. Dogs from high-risk countries require USDA/CDC endorsed titer or serology certificate.
Titer Timing: For high-risk countries: CDC titer serology from approved laboratory
No quarantine for compliant pets from DMRVV low-risk countries.
No federal breed bans; airlines and state laws may have separate restrictions.
CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) & CBSA
inspection.canada.ca/en/importing-food-plants-animals/pets
ISO 11784 / 11785 recommended; mandatory for commercial or unaccompanied animals
Rabies vaccination certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian. Must show breed, color, weight, vaccine details.
No quarantine for personal domestic pets with valid rabies certificates from approved regions.
Pit Bull Terriers banned in Ontario under Dog Owners' Liability Act (DOLA).
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)
agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs
ISO 11784 / 11785 microchip scanned before any blood test or vaccination
Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre (RNAT) test mandatory. Rabies vaccination must be maintained current.
Titer Timing: Blood sample must be drawn at least 180 days prior to export to Australia.
Internal & external parasite treatments administered by official vet within 5 days of departure.
MANDATORY Post-Entry Quarantine (PEQ) at Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine Facility (Melbourne) for 10 or 30 days.
Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, American Pit Bull Terrier, Perro de Presa Canario, Domestic cat crosses (Savannah, Bengal generation restrictions)
MPI (Ministry for Primary Industries)
mpi.govt.nz/bring-send-to-nz/pets-travelling-to-nz
ISO 11784/11785 microchip + official veterinary verification check 6 months prior under new IHS
Rabies antibody titration test (FAVN/RFFIT) >= 0.5 IU/ml required for cats and dogs from non-exempt nations.
Titer Timing: Between 3 and 24 months prior to departure
Two internal parasite treatments (praziquantel) spaced 14 days apart, second within 48 hours of travel.
Mandatory 10-day quarantine at an MPI-approved private quarantine facility (Auckland or Christchurch).
American Pit Bull Terrier, Brazilian Fila, Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa, Perro de Presa Canario
MAFF (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) Animal Quarantine Service (AQS)
maff.go.jp/aqs/english/animal/dog
ISO 11784/11785 (if other, owner must bring reader)
Two rabies vaccinations after microchipping, at least 30 days apart.
Titer Timing: Rabies antibody test at designated lab, followed by 180-day waiting period before entry.
Under 12 hours if 180-day wait period completed and documents fully approved. Up to 180 days quarantine if not met.
No blanket breed bans, but strict temperament and health compliance applies.
MOCCAE (Ministry of Climate Change and Environment)
moccae.gov.ae
ISO 11784 / 11785 microchip
Rabies vaccination administered between 21 days and 12 months before travel.
Titer Timing: Rabies antibody titer test (>= 0.5 IU/ml) with blood drawn 21+ days after vaccination
External and internal anti-parasite treatments administered within 14 days of departure.
No quarantine if fully compliant with MOCCAE import permit and health certificate.
Pit Bulls, Staffordshire Terriers, American Bully, Mastiff breeds, Doberman Pinschers, Rottweilers, Boxers, Japanese Tosa
Include pets in your personalized relocation checklist
Run the GloPath Wizard and select "Yes, traveling with pets" in the dependents step to automatically merge USDA/Defra veterinary timelines into your printable PDF checklist.