There are several components to international pet transport; travelling to a different country with your pet dog or cat is not as easy as buying a ticket on the plane. Pet quarantine is one of the most important and misunderstood aspects of international pet travel. Pet quarantine during international travel is confusing for pet parents because different countries have different quarantine rules.

Some countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, have strict bio-security laws and, therefore, have mandatory quarantine for all animals. However, several other countries, such as the United States of America, Spain, Germany etc., do not insist on compulsory quarantine as long as all pet import conditions are fulfilled satisfactorily.

If you are travelling to Germany with your pet dog or cat, here are the quarantine rules for pet transport into the country.

What is pet quarantine?

Many countries have animal quarantine laws to protect the local fauna from unwanted and invasive diseases. Unfortunately, our pets carry invisible disease-causing microorganisms that cause much damage when introduced into a country with no incidence of that disease. For instance, if a dog or cat carrying rabies travels to a country with zero incidence of rabies, the disease would spread catastrophically because the local pets would not be vaccinated against rabies.

Pet quarantine helps check the entry of such invasive diseases. Pets stay in a facility for a certain period where they are monitored and examined for any signs of ill-health. A quarantine facility is similar to a pet boarding kennel where the pet dogs and cats are housed separately till they can reunite with their families.

Quarantine rules for pet transport to Germany

Germany is a rabies-free country, and all animals travelling to the country must be fully vaccinated against rabies and other diseases before flying. Germany has specific pet import regulations that must be fulfilled satisfactorily for your pet to enter the country.

• Microchip – All pet dogs and cats travelling to Germany must have an ISO-compliant 15-digit microchip. The microchip is usually implanted under the skin between the shoulder blades. When the microchip is scanned with a corresponding reader, vets and customs officials can easily retrieve your pet’s identification and health details.
• Rabies vaccination – Pet dogs and cats travelling to Germany from an EU member country or a third country must be vaccinated for rabies 21 days before the date of travel. However, if your pet is travelling from a non-listed country, they will need a rabies titre test (RNATT) before travelling. Blood for the test must be drawn 30 days after receiving the rabies vaccination and sent to an EU-authorised lab for analysis. Pets can fly to Germany if the antibody level is not less than 0.5 IU/ml after the mandatory waiting period of three months after the test.
• Health certificate – All pets travelling to Germany need a health certificate or a pet passport with information about their vaccinations, health tests and the microchip number.
• Quarantine – If your pet dog or cat fulfils all pet import conditions mentioned above satisfactorily, they will not be quarantined upon entry into Germany. However, if your pet dog or cat does not meet these requirements, they will be placed in quarantine or returned to the country of origin.

International pet transport to Germany

Germany is an incredibly pet-friendly country where pets welcomed in almost all public places, including public transport, offices and restaurants. If you are travelling to Germany with your pet, an experienced pet travel agency can help make your pet’s journey comfortable and stress-free. Reach out to Petraveller for more information on tackling quarantine during international pet transport and a free pet travel quote.