moving to europe with your dog

When I started this blog, I knew I wanted to include some information and tips on moving to Europe, whether it be hockey related or not.  I will post my experiences and tips for packing, what to bring, what to do when you get there, and all that good stuff another day.  Since it's that time of year when new contracts in Europe start to arise for next season and the moving process with your dog can take quite a while, I figured now would be a good time to focus on:

Moving to Europe with your Dog

When I first found out that Europe would even be a possibility for this hockey season, one of my first questions was "how the heck do I move a dog to Europe?!"  It may sound simple, but it is actually kind of a pain in the butt (some countries are worse than others, ie: UK and Sweden!).  But, if you're like us, leaving your precious pooch behind is simply not an option.  Plus, who better to keep you company when you're over here?  It's definitely worth the (mild) headache, and hopefully this post will help make your process a lot smoother (and a LOT less confusing than it was for me!)  Depending on what country you are moving to and what vaccinations your dog already has, it may take a month or two or it could take several months or longer.  Be sure and plan ahead!

Thanks to my friends Google and Google Translate, our wonderful Vet at home, and some tips from fellow hockey wives, I managed to get all of the shots, paperwork, microchip, checkups, plane tickets, etc. done.  I think the most confusing part of it all was that the regulations are different for different countries.  Luckily, it is the same throughout most of Europe, so this post should help most of you out (thank goodness for the EU!)

Now, our dog, Maddie, is a Maltese/Poodle/Bichon mix, and weighs 10 lbs (or 4.5 kg in the land of Europe!)  so she traveled with me in the cabin under the seat. 

Depending on the size of your dog, you may or may not be able to do this also.  The regulations vary by airline, but for the most part the maximum weight for in-cabin travel is about 15 lbs (~7 kg, including the carrier), though in my opinion, a dog much bigger than Maddie might be too big for the carrier (which, of course, has size restrictions as well).   Anything over these limits requires travel as cargo.  The vet/vaccination/paperwork process should still be the same, but the plane ticket/crate process will be a bit different.  (note: this information is for travel from the U.S. to Europe.  If you're traveling from Canada or another country, some of the steps and requirements may be different)

Anyway, here is your "to-do" list to prep your pup for the trip across the pond:

- Research. Find as much information as possible on importing a dog to the country you are moving to.  Beware: just because Google takes you to a website, does not mean it's legit.  Obviously most of you are fully aware, but I found a lot of conflicting information out there, and by the time I separated the legitimate information from the illegitimate, I had wasted a lot of precious time.  Try searching for the local government food & agriculture website (their version of the USDA , which should have information about the importation of pets to their country).   In Finland it is called Evira.  Also, go to the USDA APHIS travel website, scroll down to where it says "List of Countries".  Find the country you are moving to and you should be linked to their pet import requirements  (note: you will later have to get an export stamp on your vet health certificate from the USDA APHIS office within a few days of your travel.  They use this list of requirements to check things off, so don't forget any of them!  They won't stamp your papers otherwise) .  Also, make sure your veterinarian is an approved vet (you can find a list of USDA Accredited Veterinarians on the USDA website link above) because all of the vaccines, treaments, and certificates must be filled out and signed by an approved vet only.  My recommendation is to find a vet who has lots of experience preparing dogs for travel to other countries.  Our home vet does, and it made the whole process a lot easier and a lot less stressful for both me and her. 


- Rabies/Titer Testing.  If the country you are moving to is considered "rabies-free" (hint: Sweden and the UK are the two main ones I can think of in Europe) you will need to have a rabies/titer test done well in advance of your travel.  You must do this or your dog will be quarantined upon your arrival!  The rabies titer test is done to ensure that your dog's rabies vaccinations have provided them with enough rabies antibodies for travel (ie: they want proof that your dog won't be spreading rabies into their "rabies-free" country).  Your vet will take a sample from your dog and send it to an EU Approved lab.  This must be done no less than 30 days after the rabies vaccination (given once the 15-digit chip is in place, as stated below) and at least 3 months (may differ in some countries) prior to importation.  If your dog does not "pass" the test, he or she will need another rabies vaccination.


- Vaccinations/Treatments.  I assume you all take your dog in for his/her annual checkup and shots, so this shouldn't be anything out of the ordinary.  The biggest one here is the rabies vaccination (there are certain standards for the type of shot, make sure you check with your vet to determine that it meets these standards).  Since you are coming from a country with low-incidence of rabies (both U.S. and Canada are considered this) your dog will not need to have the Rabies/Titer test done (unless the country you are moving to is "rabies-free" and requires it).  The requirement here is that your pooch needs to be given the vaccine at least 21 days prior to importation (this doesn't always apply to booster vaccines, but your health certificate must state the prior vaccine also).  The rabies vaccine must also be given after the 15-digit microchip is in place (I state it in the next section also, but this is an important one!) and the Rabies Vaccination Certificate (you should get one of these along with the rabies tag each time your dog has gotten/gets a rabies shot) must be signed and state the last day the vaccination is valid.

As far as other vaccines go, rabies was the only one we were required to have, but Maddie got her annual Bordatella (kennel cough- usually required for boarding and grooming) and Lyme disease vaccinations.  Not only is it important to us for her to have these, but I think it is important to have them on your certificates and paperwork to show that you take your dog's health very seriously.

Some countries, Finland included, require treatment againts echinococcosis tapeworms.  This needs to be done within 30 days of traveling.  It is just a little treat-like pill that they chew up and swallow, but must be given by the vet (and, once again, included on that health certificate signed by the vet!)


- Microchip.  Europe uses 15-digit micro chips for pet identification (conforming to ISO Standard 11784), and all dogs must have one.  Maddie had one put in her when she was a puppy, but it was a 10-digit one (of course we Americans have to have our own different way of doing it, it'd be too easy for them all to be the same!)  so she had to get another one.  We use the Home Again chip and like it.  There's one tiny catch with this one though:  your dog has to have her rabies vaccination after the chip is in place.  Our vet literally did them one right after another, which is perfectly ok, they just have to be done in that order.  So, even if your dog technically isn't due for another rabies shot yet, he/she may have to get another one if she has to get a new 15-digit chip (which was our case).


- Booking Plane Tickets.  This is where the huge headache came in for us.  Since the team was booking our flight, we had to relay all of the information on how to book a pet to them.  Between that and the language barrier, I'm amazed that it all worked out smoothly.  I can honestly say this was the most stressful part of our move (for me at least, lucky hubby was already in Finland!) 

They certainly don't make it easy to book a dog on your flight with you.  Airlines usually charge more for booking reservations over the phone, so it's recommended to do it online.  However, there is no way to make your "pet reservation" online, and most have a limit as to how many pets can be on board at one time.  So, every time we have traveled with Maddie, we have to scope out the ticket that we want, call the airline and say "okay, we're going to book "x" flight # on "x" day, and want to travel with an in-cabin pet.  Is there enough room for her on that/those flight(s)?"  If there is, then we go online, book it quick, and call the airline right back to make the pet reservation so we can confirm that she will be allowed on the plane.  Make sure you get a confirmation # or some sort of proof that you have a pet reservation.  Some airlines say that they won't "confirm" it until you check in (some do it as first-come-first-serve) but I'd push for it anyways.  How the heck are you supposed to just "show up" at the airport not knowing if your pet will be able to travel with you?  Like, what do they expect you to do with it if they say no? 

Another tip: if you have to connect flights, try and book all of your connections on the same airline.  This was another headache for us.  Even though I was traveling on "partner airlines", they seemed to have a lot of trouble communicating about travel with a pet.  If you must travel on more than one airline, make sure you call each airline separately and confirm your pet has a reservation on the flight. 
Another note about connecting flights:  I don't have personal experience with this since I flew directly from New York to Finland, so I can't be of much help... but if you are connecting in another European country other than your destination, you may have to go through Customs in that country also, and therefore could potentally need to have all of the paperwork for importing a pet to that country also.  You may or may not, I'm not sure, so just make sure you check that out before you travel!

Also, most countries accept imported pets at "approved points of entry" only, where the pet must be presented at customs.  Most big cities should be "approved", but it should specify which airports you can fly into with a pet when you are resesarching and reading over your country's pet import requirements.

All in all, the headache that comes from booking flights is totally not worth it.  More often than not, no one even notices that you have a pet with you (besides security- you have to have a special note on your ticket to bring your pet through).  No one on the plane ever even notices Maddie was there.  We usually get comments as we are deplaning from the flight attendants or other passengers like "Oh my goodness, a dog! She was so quiet, I had no idea you even had one with you!"

*This process might be slightly different if you are traveling with a large dog that travels as cargo, so check with your airline about the protocol for that (or maybe another fellow hockey wife/anyone who has traveled to Europe with a big dog would like to add their experience/advice??)

- Carrier/Crate.  If you have never flown with your dog before, you will need to purchase an airline-approved soft-sided carrier (for in-cabin pets) or hard crate (for pets traveling as cargo).  Airlines have specific requirements for these, and specifically state maximum dimensions and weight.  Make sure the carrier/crate is big enough for your dog.  He/she should be able to turn around in it and lie down comfortably.  We use a soft-sided Sherpa carrier (size Medium) and it has worked really well for us.  Most airlines are familiar with and approve of Sherpa carriers (provided they meet the size restrictions) and it has been very durable, it's comfortable to carry, and there are storage pockets in it for leash, food, toy(s), treats, paperwork- so you can keep it all in one place.  You can find them, along with lots of other larger hard crates at most pet stores (I believe ours is from Petsmart).  Don't wait until the last minute to do this either, make sure you get it well in advance so your dog has a chance to check it out and get used to it.  Put familiar toys, blankets, treats, etc. inside it so they feel comfortable with it and know that it is "theirs" and let them explore.  I usually take Maddie's out a day or 2 before we travel.  She knows that her carrier is her "airplane bag" and that it means that she will be going somewhere soon.  It gives her a chance to become familiar with it again and to mentally/emotionally prepare herself for a trip. 

For dogs traveling in cargo, I think many airlines require there to be water attached to the crate.  You should also have copies of all paperwork attached to the crate itself, as well as carrying them with you.  Most people I know put them in some sort of plastic cover (like one of those page-protectors for binders, so you can still see through it) and tape it to the outside of the crate.  Make sure it is secured well, but that any airline or customs workers can easily remove the papers as needed.

- European Union & USDA Health Certificates.  There is one standard Veterinary Certificate that is used for travel into any of the EU countries.  It can usually be filled out in the country you are moving to's native language, or English (be sure and check what languages are approved in your specific country).  This certificate includes information about your pet, your information, and microchip, vaccination, treatment, etc. info.  It must be filled out in full and signed by your approved/accredited veterinarian.  It also must be looked over, signed and given a raised seal by the USDA, as mentioned below.  There is also a USDA form that basically lists the same information that must be filled out and stamped as well. 

- USDA Approval & Stamping.  This is your last step of the travel prep process!  You must make an appointment and go into your local USDA APHIS office within either 7 or 10 days of your flight (I can't remember which, and can't find it anywhere in my paperwork, so make sure to check when you call your local office).   Here they will look over your EU Vet Certificate and USDA Health Certificate, make sure that they have been filled out and signed by an accredited vet, and give the USDA certificate a stamp and the EU certificate a raised seal, saying that they looked everything over that your pet is healthy and meets export requirements.  The cost of this mandatory approval is like $35.  If you had to have a rabies titer test done, it is something around $100.  Keep these documents in a safe place until travel, they are VERY important!

travel tips:
- limit your dog's food and water intake the day of your flight.  If you are flying in the morning, do not give him/her food that day until you arrive at your destination.  If you are flying in the afternoon/evening, you could try giving your dog some food (maybe half of a usual serving size) but do so at your own risk!  You don't want your pup to have an upset tummy on the plane.  Better for them to be a little hungry than throwing up!
- make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise before you get to the airport and plenty of opportunities to go to the bathroom.  It's going to be a long flight, and you want him/her to be as comfortable as possible (and hopefully sleep most of the time!)
- Maddie is trained to go to the bathroom on a "potty pad", so we always pack a few in her carrier.  When we go on long trips I take her into the "family bathroom" in the terminal, and put the pad down so she has an opportunity to go to the bathroom between flights/right after a long flight.  It's also a nice way for her to get out and stretch her legs!
- you can offer your dog small amounts of water during the flight, but don't overdo it.  I usually give Maddie a water bottle cap-full of water every now and then.  Enough to quench her thirst and keep her hydrated, but not too much that she gets a tummy ache.
- always bring a little bit of food with you, even if you plan to buy some at your destination.  You never know what will happen during your travel or once you arrive, so it's important to have a little extra food with you for your dog to eat in case you get stuck.  This way, you can feed him/her right away when you get to your destination also.  Trying to find a pet store immediately upon arrival in a different country is not going to be easy.  Plus your dog will most likely be hungry!

Life After you Arrive in Europe
- Food.  This was another one of my big questions I had before moving.  Luckily, my husband was over here before I was, so he had time to scope it out and check out what kinds of dog food they had.  Hill's Science Plan (called Science Diet in the U.S.) is widely available and highly recommended by vets.  This is what we started using.  I've also seen Purina in Finland, along with a few others that I can't remember.  If your dog isn't already eating this brand at home, and you plan to switch to it when you get here, I recommend getting a small bag at home and introduce it to your dog before you move.  Mix half the old food and half of the Science Plan, so your dog's stomach can get used to the change.  Dogs can get sick from a switch in foods (add that on to the change in environment, and your dog might really be thrown off for a while), and this is the easiest way to prevent that.  Since it's also available in the States, we will be able to stick with the same food from now on, even in the off-season.  (Warning: I can't speak for all countries, but in Finland, like everything else, dog food is EXPENSIVE.  We're talking 50 euros for a 7.5 kg bag!)

- Culture. For the most part, dogs are widely accepted throughout Europe.  In some countries, they are welcome almost anywhere (restaurants, bakeries, stores, etc.)  In Finland, there are lots of dog parks (even in the city!) for your dog to run and play, on or off their leash.  When I was reading up prior to our move, I read that dogs are "so well behaved in Europe" and that dogs with any sort of behavioral issues are highly frowned upon.  Maddie is very well behaved, but she's not perfect.  She loves people, and therefore runs up to every one she comes across.  She isn't vicious and would never bite, but shes a dog, and dogs bark once in a while.  Big deal.  Anyways, I was worried even our precious pooch would be out of place when we got here-- definitely NOT!  Most dogs we have come across are just the same or worse than she is.  It's no different than at home.

- Vet.  It's a good idea to find a vet shortly after you arrive in Europe.  This way if you ever need to get in or in case of an emergency, you already have a relationship established.  Unless you're really out in the boonies, you should be able to find one that at least somewhat speaks English. 

- Grooming.  Usually your new vet can provide you with recommendations for a new groomer as well.  From our experience, grooming in Europe is no different than grooming in the U.S.  Just a lot more expensive (in Finland, at least)!

I hope you are not too discouraged by all of this information!  In all reality, it's not as bad as it looks.  And if you have a knowledgeable and experienced veterinarian, it should all be done very smoothly.  Like I said, the hardest part is the flight booking process.  Don't skip out on any parts of the process though, or you risk your pet not being accepted.  Just make sure that you have all of your information put together for when you travel, and keep it right on you in your carry-on. 

After I researched and did all of this stuff, the guy I had at Customs when I arrived in Finland didn't want anything to do with a dog or dog papers.  I told him I had one with me, and he kind of nodded and gave me a "ok, cool... good for you" sort of look.  I was like, are you kidding me buddy?  I just spent all this time, energy and money getting this stuff done, and I can't even beg you to glance it over?  Figures.  Don't assume this will happen to you though!  I think it all depends on where you are going and the specific person who you speak with at Customs.

I hope this provides some guidance to anyone who is looking to travel/ move to Europe with a dog.  Please don't hesitate to ask any questions, I'm more than happy to try and help!  And if you have moved to Europe with a dog and would like to share your experience and any tips, feel free, I'd love to hear other people's experiences as well!

(I better end with a disclaimer.  I am no expert in traveling with a dog, nor do I claim to be.  This is meant to be a guide only.  Laws and regulations change frequently, so make sure you do your research and follow the proper protocol specific to the country you are moving to.)

Happy & Safe Traveling!