One of the most daunting things about international pet transport is pet quarantine. Pet parents sometimes put off travelling with their pets just to avoid quarantine. However, not all countries require mandatory pet quarantine. Many countries, for instance, France, Spain, the United States of America, etc., insist on pet quarantine only if the pet does not fulfil all pet import regulations.

Finland does not have compulsory pet quarantine for pets travelling into the country as long as all pet import conditions are met satisfactorily. If you are travelling to Finland with your pet dog or cat, here’s what you need to know about the quarantine rules for international pet travel to the country.

Why do some countries have pet quarantine?

Pet dogs and cats carry millions of organisms, some of which cause dangerous diseases such as rabies, leptospirosis, etc. If these diseases are introduced into the destination country, they can spread unchecked and cause a severe outbreak.

Pet quarantines are designed to curb the introduction of unknown and exotic disease-causing germs into the country. However, not all countries have mandatory pet quarantine upon entry; only those countries with exceedingly stringent bio-security rules such as New Zealand, Australia and Singapore insist on compulsory pet quarantine.

During their stay at the quarantine centre, your pet will be examined by experts and monitored for any signs of illness. They will be housed separately and cared for by the staff at the quarantine centre. In some countries, pet parents are allowed to visit and groom their pets at the quarantine facility.

Pet import rules in Finland

Pet dogs and cats travelling to Finland from a different country must fulfil the following conditions:

• Microchip – All pets travelling to Finland must be chipped with an ISO-compliant microchip that uses the HDX or FDX-B technology. Remember to ensure the chip is implanted before your pet receives their rabies vaccinations.
• Vaccinations – Pet dogs and cats travelling to Finland from EU member countries and countries with a low incidence of rabies must be vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before flying.
• Rabies titre test - Pet dogs and cats travelling to Finland from non-listed high rabies risk countries need the rabies neutralising titre test (RNATT) 30 days after the rabies vaccination. The sample should be sent to an EU-authorised lab for analysis, and only pets with an antibody level of at least 0.5 IU/ml can enter Finland.
• Health certificate and treatments – Pet dogs travelling to Finland must be treated for Echinococcus five days before flying. Your pet will also need a health certificate or a pet passport issued by a competent authority.

Quarantine rules in Finland

Finland does not have mandatory quarantine for pets travelling to the country as long as all pet import regulations are followed accurately. There are no pet quarantine centres in Finland. Pets that don’t meet the import requirements will be returned to the country of origin at the pet parents’ expense. Alternatively, you can arrange for quarantine in an official quarantine facility in another EU member country.

International pet travel to Finland

Pet travel to Finland can be daunting, especially if you are in the middle of an international move. However, an experienced pet travel agency can help you manage the transport to the last detail and make sure your pet has a calm and stress-free journey.

If you are travelling to Finland with your pet cat or dog, contact Petraveller for more information on handling pet quarantine and a free pet travel quote.