🐾 Traveling abroad with a Pet: A complete documentation guide (don't forget anything!)
Packed your bags, bought your tickets, and are you bringing your beloved cat or dog along for the trip? Great! But to avoid getting turned away at the border, let's break down the paperwork you need to prepare in advance. Spoiler alert: it's a lengthy process, so read carefully!
1. Chipping (this is the base)
The first step is to microchip your pet. An important rule: chip first, then rabies vaccination. The data must be registered in the electronic system. Without this step, everything else is meaningless.
2. International veterinary passport
Go to a state veterinary clinic and obtain a "foreign passport" for your pet. Make sure it's completed in two languages—Ukrainian and English (or in the language of the country if you're getting it in Europe). The passport should include:
✅ a microchip stamp;
✅ all vaccinations;
✅ deparasite treatments;
✅ the veterinarian's signature and seal.
3. Rabies antibody test + quarantine
Here, you need to be careful with the timing. We give the rabies vaccine and wait at least 30 days. Only then can we have a blood test for antibodies.
🔹 Then a three-month quarantine begins, counting from the date of blood collection.
🔹 To ensure the test continues to work, your pet must be revaccinated on time every year (dates are entered in the passport).
4. Treatment against parasites
1-5 days before you go to pick up your final documents, we'll perform the following treatments:
🔸 Deworming;
🔸 Tick and flea treatment (insectoacaricidal treatment).
5. Form No. 1-VET (Veterinary Certificate)
We obtain this document from a state-run veterinary clinic just before your trip. Its expiration date is only approximately 72 hours. It's needed to later exchange it for the main document.
6. International Veterinary Certificate
The most important document for traveling within the EU! Take Form 1-VET and your passport to the border inspection office (they are located not only at the border but also in the regions). You'll receive a certificate valid for 10 days when leaving Ukraine.
7. Special requirements for some countries
If you are traveling to the UK, Norway, Finland, Ireland, Malta, or some other countries, please be prepared for additional steps:
📌 Treatment for echinococcosis (tapeworm) 24-120 hours before entry;
📌 Mandatory notification of the arrival of your pet.
💛 Important: Want everything to go smoothly and without surprises? Our team will provide you with absolutely free consultations at every stage—from import to export. We'll advise you on how to streamline processes specifically for your route and destination country, so you and your pet can travel comfortably and without unnecessary stress.
🚀 Just ask—and we'll help!