Traveling with Your Pet

Pets are often abandoned here in Spain when their families move, and some of those animals wind up at RAWL, while others are picked up as strays and euthenized. If you know that you are not willing to expend the time, effort, and money to transport a pet, then don't adopt one! Abandoned dogs and cats are not easy to re-home, and any pet will suffer less emotional trauma from a move than from being left behind by their family.

Shipping your pet commercially can be expensive, so you may want to start planning ahead and saving today.

Consider starting a pet savings account:

Example: Save $100.00/month x 2 years = $2400.00
(The approximate cost of shipping 2 pets to the west coast)

As soon as you know where you are moving, you should begin researching how to transport your pet, and you should find out the entry requirements of your new country -- some countries, such as the UK, have much stricter guidelines than others for bringing an animal into the country.

An excellent resource for information about traveling with or shipping your pet is www.pettravel.com This website provides information about travel restrictions, kennel requirements, country entry documents, and even has a blog and email address to answer your questions.

Bringing Your Pet into Spain

Spain does not have a quarantine policy for dogs and cats. But Spain will now allow you to import a pet that is less than 3 months old. There are a variety of documents that you need to obtain and keep on-hand when you travel with your pet. Some documents are required only by the airlines, while others are required by the Spanish government in order to import your pet into Spain. These documents will vary depending on whether you go to a military or non-military veterinarian. You should check with the airlines your pet will fly on and coordinate with your vet to make sure you have all the necessary paperwork.

Import Requirements 

Microchip. Your pet must be identified with a microchip that complies with ISO Standard 11784 or 11785 (the scanning system used throughout Europe). Otherwise, you must send a scanner with your pet attached to the top of the pet's kennel. You vet should provide you with a Microchip Implantation Record for your pet that records the microchip type and number. Note: Home Again microchips and AVID Eurochips are ISO compatible; however the US standard AVID microchip is NOT.

Rabies Vaccination Certificate. Your pet must be vaccinated for rabies within 1 year, but not less than 1 month, before entering Spain. The rabies certificate completed by your veterinarian must include the date of vaccination, type and name of vaccination, expiration date of vaccination, and lot number. This certificate is required by most airlines, although not by the Spanish government.

Letter of Acclimation. This letter should be on veterinary letterhead stating that the animal is in good health and can tolerate temperatures from 45 degrees to 20 degrees based on the breed and age. This letter is required by most airlines before transporting a pet as cargo; not required by the Spanish government.

Your pet must be current on its vaccinations.

• Dogs: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvo, Leptospirosis, (DHLPP) and Rabies within the last 12 months or a minimum of 4 weeks before arrival.
• Cats: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia (FVRCP), and Rabies within the last 12 months or a minimum of 4 weeks before arrival.

You will need 1 of the following 3 health certificates to bring your pet into Spain:

Veterinary Certificate. This certificate is issued by a military veterinarian and includes a description of the animal, owner information, and details of vaccinations. This certificate does not require USDA endorsement if issued by a military vet.

EU Health Certificate (Form EC 998). This is the standard Health Certificate to be filled out by your veterinarian. The form should be in the language of the country to which you are transporting your pet. You can obtain the Spanish version of the form from the Veterinary Clinic on Naval Station Rota. Although this certificate is technically valid for 4 months, it is recommended that it be completed and endorsed by the USDA within 10 days of travel to avoid any customs issues upon arrival. If your vet is not an accredited USDA veterinarian, you must get this document endorsed by the USDA.

International Health Certificate ( DD Form 2209). Your vet should have this form, but it's a good idea to call ahead and ask. This is an international health certificate that needs to be completed by your vet within 10 days of departure. If your vet is not an accredited USDA veterinarian, you must get this document endorsed by the USDA.

USDA Endorsement. Your veterinarian should be able to help you with this process, which usually involves mailing the documents to the local USDA office. USDA area offices in the US can be located at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/area_offices/

Registering Your Pet on Naval Station Rota

No later than 15 days after arriving or getting a pet, you must register it with Veterinary Services, Bldg. 1863. A current rabies vaccination certificate must be presented when each animal is registered. Pets must be revaccinated annually.

All pets belonging to personnel attached to Naval Station Rota MUST be microchipped for identification purposes. If your pet is not microchipped, you can have this done at the Veterinary Clinic for approximately $10.00. Microchipping is safe and not painful for your pet.

Once you are in Spain, a Spanish vet can issue an EU Pet Passport allowing your pet to travel within Europe.

Choosing a Method to Ship Your Pet

You may have several options for shipping your pet. Some small pets can travel in the cabin with you, while larger animals will have to travel as cargo. Military flights may have fewer restrictions that commercial flights, but you will need to be aware of weather embargos that restrict pet travel during extreme temperatures. If you are shipping your pet unaccompanied, you can make the arrangements yourself with a commercial shipper, or you might hire a shipping company to handle the arrangements for you.

When making reservations to transport your pet, you should have the following information on-hand:

• Name, address, and phone number of person dropping the animal off for shipment
• Name, address, and phone number of person receiving the animal at the destination (if you are shipping the animal)
• Weight of the animal (in kg)
• Weight of the carrier (in kg)
• Combined weight of animal and carrier (in kg)
• Carrier dimensions (in cm)
• Desired date of travel (drop-off is usually only Monday-Friday and the delivery date to the US is the next day)

Pet Travel Guidelines

Follow the guidelines below to ensure that your pet has the safest and most comfortable trip possible, and to eliminate delays with importing your pet to a new country.

Learn the pet import requirements of your new country. Contact your local transportation office for specific immigration requirements for the country to which you are shipping your pet.

Obtain the required documentation. Most countries have their own version of a veterinary certificate sometimes called a Zoo Sanitary Certificate. In addition some countries require an import permit. Most documents will need to be completed by your veterinarian, and countries with stricter import regulations, such as the UK, will require more documentation. Start obtaining these documents as early as possible.

Have your pet evaluated by your veterinarian to be sure your pet is fit for air travel. Some species, (e.g. pug-nosed dogs) simply do not travel well because they have difficulty breathing even under normal conditions.

Check with the shipper if you are hoping to ship two pets in one carrier. Most have restriction on the size, weight, and types of pets that can be shipped together.

Mark the kennel with your pet's name and identification. Include your name, destination or unit address, and phone number if available. Also, make sure the kennel is clearly labeled "Live Animal".

Allow your pet to get accustomed to the kennel. Purchase your pet's kennel well in advance and use the kennel as a bed or feed the pet in the kennel for several days before departure so your pet will be more comfortable in its temporary home during flight.

Do not sedate your pet. Sedation is not advised since effects of tranquilizers on animals at high altitudes are unpredictable. Your veterinarian should decide whether or not to prescribe a tranquilizer for your pet. If you believe some form of sedation might be helpful, be sure to obtain expert medical advice.

Carry a leash with you on your trip. This way you can walk your pet before check-in and after arrival.

Do not take your pet out of its kennel inside the airport. In keeping with airport regulations and as a courtesy to other passengers, you should let your pet out only after you leave the terminal building.

Limit stress on your pet while traveling. Keep strangers, especially children, at a distance if your pet seems to be nervous. Even the most gentle pet can be provoked into growling or snapping.

 

Traveling on a Commercial Flight with Your Pet

Taking your pet with you on a commercial flight means paying an extra fee based on the weight of your pet. In most cases, you pet must travel in the cargo hold, rather than with you in the plane's cabin.

Hot and Cold Weather Embargos

The most difficult months to travel are in the summer, due to the heat. Many people think that the term "pet embargo" means you cannot travel on a commercial airline with your pet in the summer. However, what the pet embargo usually means is that an airline will not transport pets if the outside temperature is above 84 degrees or below 45 degrees, in the winter. Contact the customer service number for international travel for your particular airline and find out your options. Sometimes early morning flights are available in the summer, before the heat kicks in. You may also be able to ship a pet during cold weather if your veterinarian provides an acclimation certificate on which your vet certifies that the animal being transported is acclimated to temperatures lower than 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

Delta Airlines - has a summer embargo from May 15 to September 15 and a winter embargo from November 1 to March 31, but will make an exception for military traveling on orders. You are allowed two kennels as checked baggage.
Pet Travel FAQs   Pet Travel Requirements & Restrictions

Continental Airlines Cargo - will ship animals year-round from Lisbon, Portugal (but not from Spain). Contact Lisbon at 351-218-475-749.

American Airlines - does not have stated embargo dates; weather restrictions depend on temperature. You are allowed two kennels as checked baggage. Unaccompanied animals must ship as cargo. Pet Travel Information

QM2 Cruise Ship - offers a kennel program for transatlantic crossings both ways between New York and Southampton, England. You could then drive from England to Spain, if you were unable to get your pet on a flight.
Cruise Ship Kennel Program

For additional information about airline travel with your pet, visit www.pettravel.com. Click the Airlines link in the menu to the left for a list of airline pet travel regulations and policy information for different airlines and destinations.

Pet-Friendly Airlines

These airlines adhere strictly to a pet-safe policy. Pet-Safe policies ensure your pet will always be kept in a climate controlled environment, never left out on the tarmac, and always be the last one put on the plane and the first one taken off. These airline services may cost a little more, but they make every effort to care well for your pet during transport. Visit www.mypetmove.com to learn about pet-friendly shipping with Continental, Northwest, Lufthansa, and KLM airlines.

Departing from Spain on Iberia or Spanair

The most expensive leg of transporting a pet commercially from Spain will most likely be the flight from Jerez or Sevilla to Madrid, especially if you have more than one pet. You may want to consider driving to Madrid. Be aware that prices may vary widely between airlines -- Spanair is typically much cheaper than Iberia for traveling with pets out of Madrid.

Small cats and dogs are allowed to travel in the cabin of the aircraft on Iberia Airlines flights. The pet must be small enough to fit in an approved under the seat carrier. If your pet is too large to fit under the seat or if it is a very long flight the airline may transport your pet in the cargo section of the aircraft. This section of the cargo department has the same temperature and pressure as the passenger cabin.

Iberia Airlines requires a certificate of good health indicating that the pet is healthy enough for travel, is free of diseases communicable to humans and has been properly vaccinated. Visit Iberia's website to learn more about their pet transport policies and rates.

Traveling on a Military Flight with Your Pet

The following information provides general guidelines for shipping your pet by military transport. You should confirm the details of shipping your pet, including weight limits, kennel sizes, and fees, with your local Transportation Office.

Military Shipping Guidelines

• Pet shipment is limited to passengers on PCS orders only.
• Pets are defined as dogs and cats only.
• There is a two pet per family limit.
• All animals are subject to examination by the Customs' veterinarian. Clearance of animals may be delayed after working hours and on weekends.
• Pets weighing over 150 lbs., including the weight of the kennel, will not be allowed to travel via AMC.
• Avoid shipping pets that are in heat (estrus), which causes distress to other pets and may result in injury.
• Females with suckling young and non-weaned animals will not be accepted for transport.
• Weaned puppies younger than eight weeks old should not be shipped due to possible dehydration.  

AMC Shipping Rates
Fees are charged on a per kennel basis, based on the combined weight of the pet(s) and the kennel:

70 lbs. or less - $90
71-140 lbs. - $170
140-150 lbs. - $270

Pets and kennel weighing more than 150 pounds will not be accepted for shipping under any circumstances.

Kenneling Two Pets Together
Two small animals of the same species and comparable size which are used to cohabitation, and weighing less than 30 pounds each with a combined weight of less than 70 pounds, may be shipped in the same kennel as long as they can stand up, turn around, and lie down. Pets of different species will not be shipped in the same container (a dog and a cat will not be shipped together).

Shipping Dates
Pets may be shipped at any time of year. AMC does not impose seasonal hot/cold embargoes on pet shipments. However, you should plan your trip to avoid pet arrival on weekends, holidays, or off-hours and avoid transfers/stopovers as much as possible.

Making Reservations to Transport Your Pet
Upon receiving PCS orders, you should request transportation for yourself and your pets with your Transportation Office. Pet reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis. If your pet cannot be accommodated, you should request that your servicing PSD/NAVPTO arrange commercial transportation. Once the Traffic Management Office/Installation Transportation Officer (TMO/ITO) has received a confirmation for the passenger and pet, you will be briefed on all pertinent flight information and pet care instructions.

Required Documentation
When you request reservations, you must present DD Form 2208, Rabies Vaccination Certificate (or civilian equivalent), or DD Form 2209, Veterinary Health Certificate, to your local transportation office as proof of ownership. Pets three months or older require a health certificate issued no longer than 10 days prior to departure and a rabies inoculation certificate issued at least 30 days, but not more than 12 months prior to departure date.

You must also declare if your pet is pregnant. This requires a Veterinary Certification stating the pet is fit to travel and there is no risk of birth occurring during the journey.

Check-In Times
You must arrive at the AMC commercial location no later than 2 hours and 20 minutes prior to flight departure with the exception of Seattle IAP (SEATAC). The required no later than show time at that location is 3 hours 20 minutes. Passengers on contract commercial flights (i.e., Patriot Express, Category B) may check in up to 6-8 hours prior to departure but, due to limited pet storage space, you must retain custody of your pet until 15 minutes prior to boarding unless there is a suitable holding area available.

Due to limited pet storage facilities, passengers will retain custody of pets until 45 minutes prior to boarding. All pets must remain in their container while in the terminal area. If a portion of your PCS travel is on a commercial carrier, there may be different requirements for traveling with your pet. Please contact the commercial carrier for this information.

Flight Delays
If ground time exceeds 2 hours, pets will be off-loaded and you will have the opportunity to visit your pets. When passengers are allowed to disembark from an aircraft due to flight delay, pet owners will also be provided the opportunity to visit their pets in order to walk them and provide water. 

Purchasing a Kennel
Pet kennels (shipping containers) must be approved for air shipment and are available at most exchanges, retail stores, and commercial airports. You must provide an International Air Transport Association (IATA) approved container for your pet. The kennel must be large enough for the animal to stand up, turn around, and lie down with normal posture and body movements. Soft-sided or collapsible kennels will not be accepted for pets begin transported in the cargo area of the aircraft.

In-Cabin Transport Containers
If your pet will be traveling with you in-cabin, soft-sided (constructed of leak proof/water repellant padded nylon with mesh ventilation on two or more sides) and hard plastic kennels are allowed. Kennel size must not exceed 20"Lx16"Wx8"H to ensure it will fit under the seat in front of the passenger. All kennels must provide adequate ventilation and be large enough for your pet to stand up, turn around, and lie down with normal posture and body movements. Pets will not be accepted in kennels that are too small.

Preparing Your Pet and Kennel for Shipment

• Feed your pet very lightly and provide water a few hours before turning your pet in for shipment. You should also exercise your pet before coming to the terminal.
• Ensure your kennel has adequate ventilation and your pet is free of respiratory problems. Some pets with snub noses may experience respiratory difficulty in flight.
• Include a familiar article or toy in the kennel to help make your pet more comfortable. You might also include something that has your smell on it, such as an unwashed t-shirt. However, do not put more than one or two items in the kennel with your pet.
• Mark "LIVE ANIMAL" on the kennel, clearly indicating your name, address, destination, and the animal's name. Include a note stating whether or not the pet is friendly with strangers.
• Include an empty water dish and a small bag of dry food should be with the container. Most airlines require two empty dishes be included with the carrier.

AMC Commercial Location Telephone Numbers

Seattle Tacoma IAP (SEA)
DSN: 382-0555
Com: 253-982-0555
Email: eagle@mcchord.af.mil
Fax: 253-982-6815 or DSN 382-6815

Baltimore Washington IAP (BWI)
DSN: 243-6900
Com: 410-918-6900 or 877-429-4262
Email: det1305aps@mcguire.af.mil
Fax: 410-918-6903 or DSN 243-6903

HQ AMC / A4TP, Passenger Policy Branch
DSN: 779-4593
Com: 618-229-4593

For additional information, contact one of the AMC commercial locations or your local Transportation Office / AMC Passenger Terminal.

Shipping Your Pet as Unaccompanied Cargo

If you are returning to the United States, you may choose to ship your pet as cargo from the Jerez airport. The only airports you can send your pet to are Washington Dulles (IAD), New York (JFK), Miami and Chicago O'Hare (ORD). You must make a reservation with Calderon Handling at the Jerez airport, and you will need to make two trips to the airport -- the first to drop off your pet's veterinary information and certificates, and the second to drop off your pet.

Contact your local vet for assistance with gathering the correct documents for shipping your pet. You should also talk to your vet about how to prepare your pet for a long trip.

To make your reservation, contact:

IBERIA CARGO / CALDERON HANDLING S.L.
TERMINAL DE CARGA AEREA
AEROPUERTO DE JEREZ
PH + 34 956 150 077
FX + 34 956 150 078
EMAIL: operacionesxry@calderonhandling.com

Be aware that the employees of this company only speak Spanish, so you may need a Spanish-speaking friend to help you make your reservation. Translation services are also provided by the base in the pass and ID area. You can email the company in Spanish for a quote, but you may need to follow up with them after sending your email. Once you get your estimate from the company, be sure to bring it with you when you ship out the animal.

Shipping Your Pet through a Professional Shipping Service

Professional pet shipping companies will handle all of your pet travel needs. They are expensive, but are often considered worth the cost.

VIPet World Services
This company is based out of Malaga. The employees speak English well and are very helpful. To make a reservation, you should have the same information available as for cargo shipping. You can ship your pet Monday through Friday, and your pet should arrive in the United States the following day.

Contact VIPet at 902-301-002 or visit their website and view their pricelist at www.vipet.com.

Air Animal
Air Animal has been transporting animals since 1977, and is one of the largest international pet courier services. They offer transport to many countries around the world, including Spain. The company has eight personnel on hand in Spain, so they are always adequately staffed. They specialize in full-service transportation, picking up your pet at your home, and delivering it safely at your destination in Spain. They also offer return flights, as many of their clients are international workers, who wish to return home with their pet after their contract is complete. Air Animal also offers a Take Me Along package, coordinating everything so that you can make the entire journey with your pet.

Contact Air Animal in Tampa, Florida at 800-635-3448 or visit their website at www.airanimal.com

AAH Veterinary Services
AAH Veterinary Services is a local vet in Madrid with an English-speaking staff. Since 1989 they have been assisting people from around the world -- with a focus on the United States -- to bring their pets into Spain. They can help you get all of the paperwork you need, and get the veterinary care you need in the United States before departing. They are able to expedite Customs, so that you can be reunited with your pet only a few hours after landing. Finally, they offer a range of veterinary services once your pet lands, to make sure they are as healthy and happy as possible after the long journey.

Contact AAH Veterinary Services in Madrid at +34 91 357-4496 or visit their website at www.aahvet.com

Pet Relocation
Pet Relocation is a full-service international courier who pride themselves on their ability to handle any animal -- not just cats and dogs. They have a range of options available, so that even customers who want to transport a large number of animals, or to charter a private jet for their relocation, can be accommodated. They offer pick-up at your house, with security screened drivers, and carefully climate controlled vehicles. They can take care of obtaining all necessary papers and veterinary services, check-in procedures, and acquiring the most comfortable accommodations for your pet's trip. Finally, after landing in Spain they can arrange for a veterinary check-up, grooming, and delivery to your final destination.

Contact Pet Relocation in Austin, Texas at 512-264-9800 or visit their website at www.petrelocation.com