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Pet Passport

Useful information for Pet Travel

PLEASE NOTE  the below information is a BASIC GUIDELINE and is not necessarily the rules for all instances of pet travel. However, we hope it highlights the general procedure you could expect when applying for a passport for your pet. 

Can I get my pet an EU Pet Passport from O’Dowd Veterinary? 

Yes you can. We can provide your pet with a passport once they have fulfilled all the required criteria for one to be processed.

What is the criteria for a Pet Passport to be issued? 

The criteria can vary depending on what country you plan to travel to with your pet.

Click the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine link for further details: Pet Travel

The following is a basic guideline to follow when travelling to other EU countries with your pet on holiday and you are planning to return to Ireland: 

 
Step One 

As of the 31st March 2016 all dogs in the Republic of Ireland must be microchipped. It is the law. Therefore, for the purpose of a Pet Passport, your pet MUST  be microchipped and registered in your name and this must be confirmed by the Vet. If this is the first time the Vet is seeing your animal, they must be able to scan your pet’s microchip and confirm your ownership of the animal before issuing a passport.

If your pet hasn't had a microchip inserted, the vet will microchip (dependant upon you providing valid I.D and proof of address) and register the microchip i.e. pet ownership, in your name.

 
Step Two 

Rabies Vaccination.

Your pet must be vaccinated against Rabies at least 21 days prior to your travel date i.e. if your pet is vaccinated on the 1st of the month, the soonest it can travel is the 22nd of the month.

It must be administered by the Vet AFTER your pet’s microchip is inserted. This does mean your pet can have both microchip insertion and rabies vaccine completed in one clinical appointment. It will require this order of events which will be notified accordingly into the passport.

The primary course of the rabies vaccine can only be given from 12 weeks of age minimum. Rabies given to a pet younger than 12 weeks of age is not regarded as a valid course of vaccination.

If the rabies vaccine your pet is receiving is a booster vaccine it must be given within the period of validity of the previous rabies vaccine.


Step Three 

Your pet must be treated with endoparasiticide (internal parasite treatment) that is licenced to be effective against the Tapeworm specifically the tapeworm species Echinococcus multilocularis. Again, this must be done by a vet so that they may fill out on the passport that they themselves gave the treatment. A broad spectrum flea and worm treatment is usually given within 5 days of departure.

 
Step Four 

From the period 5-2 days prior to your departure your pet is going to need a clinical veterinary examination, to confirm that the animal shows no signs of disease and is fit to be transported for the intended journey. During this visit is when your pet will be given the flea and worm treatment and have notification filled in on their passport by the vet that they are fit for to travel.

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