When planning a trip with your beloved four-legged pet, it is worth considering every detail in advance. In order to fully enjoy a successful foreign leave, it is necessary to take care of, among other things, the correct document for the dog, i.e. the EU pet passport.
The EU dog passport is an indispensable document that allows us to travel within the territory of the EU member states with pets. It confirms the fulfillment of the established requirements when moving the indicated dog between the countries of the European Union or returning from an EU country to Poland. It contains the data of the owner and the doctor issuing the passport, description of the animal, all vaccinations performed. There are also medical examinations, possible special treatments, annotations about the prevention of parasites and information about the transponder. In addition to the formal requirements, it is an additional element of security in the event of a charge's loss or the need to treat your pet during a holiday abroad.
Passport is a document confirming the identity of our four-legged friend. It is issued by an authorized veterinarian on the day of reporting. The register of doctors authorized to issue passports for pets is kept by the District Medical and Veterinary Chambers. If the doctor taking care of our four-legged friend does not have such powers, we can use the list on the website National Chamber of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine and find the right clinic. The fee for obtaining a passport for a dog is PLN 100. This price does not include the cost of implantation of the so-called transporter or compulsory vaccinations.
To obtain a pet passport, the dog must have a microchip, i.e. a transponder, and must have a valid rabies vaccination. Please note that if a puppy is given a vaccination of over 12 weeks of age for the first time, it does not become valid until 21 days after vaccination. In contrast, subsequent vaccinations are carried out at regular intervals and become valid on the day of the injection of the booster dose. For dogs that continue to vaccinate against rabies, vaccination becomes valid immediately, unless more than one year has elapsed since the previous vaccination. If vaccination is not followed up, the next vaccine is considered the first and you have to wait 21 days to travel abroad with your pet.
If your dog does not have a transponder, you can opt for the microchip implantation procedure. The procedure is short (takes several seconds) and practically painless. It is like a regular injection, using a slightly thicker needle. It is performed by a veterinarian, and the total cost of the procedure is from 50 to 250 PLN. However, it should be remembered that when vaccinating against rabies, the animal must be identified by checking the transponder number. Therefore, the date of vaccination cannot be earlier than the date of the so-called vaccination. chipping.
The passport is an identification document issued for the purpose of the dog's movement between the countries of the European Union. It takes into account the following information:
Note: Pursuant to the regulations in force, some EU Member States have introduced restrictions on the entry into their territory of dog breeds commonly recognized as dangerous. In addition, remember that each country has its own laws governing these matters. The Chief Veterinary Inspectorate publishes current information on the requirements of individual countries on its website.
Technically speaking, until there is no more space for further entries about rabies vaccinations or deworming. A standard pet passport has 11 slots for rabies vaccinations, which means it is valid for 11 years provided you make regular and error-free entries (unless you make a mistake, in which case you will have to enter them again). When the document is full, you will need to issue a new one and pay again.
If your furry pet has a passport from a country outside the European Union and permanently resides in Poland, you will probably need to apply for a new one. It is best to consult this matter with your veterinarian or local Veterinary Medical Chamber to obtain complete information.
In such a situation, you should inform your veterinarian immediately. He will create a new passport for an appropriate fee. In the WET Systems system, the previous document must also be invalidated and a new one issued.
An authorized veterinarian can update the owner's details in the passport, there are two dedicated sections in the document for this. Of course, any changes must also be entered into the WET Systems system.
There is a penalty for not having the appropriate documents, such as a passport. It is worth noting that the sanctions do not only apply to the lack of a document. They also cover situations where there is no current vaccination, required deworming certificate/certificate, or where the passport contains any irregularities.
The travel of mice, hamsters, rats or chinchillas across national borders does not require a passport. However, it is always worth checking whether the destination country imposes separate regulations or legal requirements regarding this group of animals. Aquaculture animals, in turn, need appropriate health certificates issued by an official veterinarian. There are circumstances in which regulations regarding the movement of companion animals are suspended. This was the case at the beginning of March, when there was a military crisis in Ukraine.
Pursuant to the applicable regulations, in the case of traveling with a dog outside the European Union, it is necessary to legalize the passport. The procedure is carried out by the district veterinarian on the basis of documents consisting of: the application for legalization, the original passport, information about the health condition and identification data of the dog. The basic document for dogs leaving the European Union is therefore a health certificate along with the current vaccination against rabies. However, the specific regulations differ depending on the country to which the dog is traveling. Fortunately, many countries, especially those neighboring the EU, respect the EU pet passport.
If your pet is traveling without you, for example with a carrier, you must have authorization. A template of this document can be found on the website Chief Veterinary Inspectorate.
Deworming animals, especially to combat the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis, is crucial. A deworming preparation (preferably containing praziquantel) should be administered to the dog no earlier than 120 hours and no later than 24 hours before crossing the border. This procedure is especially important when traveling to Sweden, Norway and the UK.
Some countries require appropriate anti-tick preparations before travel. In Third World countries, a clinical examination by a veterinarian is required at least 48 hours before departure to confirm the animal's health. The test result should be entered in the animal's passport and in the WET Systems program.
A health certificate is required in several situations, especially when more than 5 animals from one owner are traveling for non-commercial purposes. Then the animals must be at least 6 months old. This document is issued by the district veterinarian. For example, groups of dogs or cats travel to exhibitions or sports competitions. A health certificate is also required when traveling to and from Third World countries. They are usually issued by the official veterinarian in the country concerned, especially if the rabies vaccination was performed in a Third World country.
The TRACES (Trade Control and Expert System) certificate is an internal health certificate for a given animal, mainly needed when animals move with a carrier or for commercial purposes.
Some countries require serological blood testing to enter their borders. This test shows the presence of antibodies against rabies, which ensures that the animal will not transmit the disease to the country. The result of this study is the basis for crossing the border of most European Union Member States from areas outside the EU and when traveling from Third World countries. The result is certified and signed by the specific animal, along with its chip number. This test is usually performed no earlier than 3 weeks after rabies vaccination. The result is required when returning to the country, even if it was not required when leaving. The list of countries exempt from this requirement is included in EU Regulation 577/2013 in Annex II.
If the animal already has a positive test result, it is entered in the passport and the WET Systems program, and subsequent rabies vaccinations are performed regularly, the test does not have to be repeated each time it crosses the border.
Veterinary border control applies to animals transported without an owner (with a carrier), groups of animals numbering more than 5 animals and the transport of animals for commercial purposes. This control mainly concerns the import of animals from Third World countries into the European Union. It takes place at designated border control points (BCPs).
It is worth paying attention to the individual requirements of some countries. Detailed information on other requirements in individual Member States can be found on the website of the Chief Veterinary Inspectorate. For example, some countries prohibit the import of dogs considered aggressive breeds or require appropriate certificates in this regard. Since 2018, Norway has banned the import of dogs without an owner, dogs from shelters and foster homes.
The Irish Setter is one of the most popular hunting dog breeds. The delightful, mahogany shade of the coat gives this dog a special charm. It is an extremely friendly, active, affectionate and loyal companion. He is characterized by intelligence, exceptional patience and dedication.
Learning to command "leave" is at the forefront of any dog's education. It is one of the most important commands that is helpful in many situations, both at home and outside. It is used to learn self-control and can prevent unwanted behavior of your pet. With its help, we can, among other things, stop our four-legged friend from eating something that could harm him. How do I teach my dog to command me?
Intelligent, obedient, cheerful, this is how you can describe the disposition of a Goldendoodle dog in a nutshell. It is the perfect companion, both for families with young children and seniors. He loves meeting new friends, he is always warm, open and full of love. The Goldendoodle is also a valued therapy dog. Thanks to her good-natured nature, she is able to support emotional stability, combat anxiety and reduce the level of stress in people.
