Tips when exporting your pet

  1. Make sure all your pets vaccinations are up to date, especially their rabies vaccines. Pets travelling to the EU can only travel 90 days after they have had a positive rabies titre blood test result, so plan ahead!
  2. Try and get your pets travel crate at least 2 or 3 months ahead of time. This gives them time to get used to the crate, possible even sleeping in it at night with the door open (dogs) as their kennel.
  3. The travel crate MUST be big enough for the pet to stand upright in, and be able to turn around comfortably in it.
  4. The travel crate must have water trays, preferably ones that can attach to the front door of the crate at a comfortable drinking height for your pet. .
  5. It must have sufficient ventilation and be sturdy enough to hold your pet.
  6. For travelling the crate must have suitable comfortable bedding for your pet. We suggest putting shredded newspaper down first, then put an old towel or piece of foam on top of the newspaper and finally your pet’s favourite blanket or cushion on top. The newspaper and old towel will absorb any moisture, like urine, or spilt water trays, during the trip and help keep your pet dry and comfortable.
  7. The crate MUST be clearly labelled with the pets name, the consignee details, instructions to feed/water at any stop over points, and the AWB/flight details. The LSPCA has templates for all these labels and will attach them to the crate on the day of travel.
  8. Keep copies of all the documents with you at all times. The airlines will take the originals of everything and put them in the cargo manifest wallet, with copies in the AWB pocket on top of the travel crate, but keep copies with you as well, especially the vaccination certificate, export cert (both sides) and the Airway Bill from the airline.
  9. DO NOT drug your pet. Airlines will not accept a drugged or sleepy animal. Rather use herbal relaxing drops like Rescue Remedy or Feliway spray for cats, to calm their nerves.
  10. Also put a favourite toy or even the t-shirt you wore the night/day before in the travel crate with your pet. These small items with familiar smells will help keep the pet calm.
  11. Finally, do not stress about your pet travelling, they handle it a lot better than you think, and your stress will feed your pets stress, so keep calm!

Sponsored By