Export Pet Dogs, Cats and Ferrets to the Republic of Ireland

Please note that from January 1, 2012, the rules for pets entering the Republic of Ireland will change.

Travel Rules Applicable From January 1, 2012

Travel Rules Applicable Before January 1, 2012

Note 1: All sections must be completed in the EC Veterinary Certificate for Domestic Dogs, Cats and Ferrets – PDF (28 kb). Further information is available on the website of Ireland's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (DAFF).

Note 2: Every attempt has been made to ensure that the information on this site is up to date; however, countries can change their import requirements without notifying the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). It is strongly recommended that you contact the embassy or official veterinary authorities in the country of destination to confirm that there are no changes or additional requirements, or any prohibitions related to specific breeds of dogs or cats.

1. Identification

Before any other procedure is carried out, your pet must be identified with a microchip. This microchip should comply with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard 11784. If it does not, the owner is responsible for providing a suitable microchip reader.

For easy reference, the CFIA has listed companies that manufacture ISO-compatible microchips.

2. Rabies vaccination

Your pet must have been vaccinated against rabies with an approved inactivated vaccine or a recombinant vaccine.

Please note that a rabies vaccination will not be considered valid unless the animal was properly identified at the time of vaccination, and the vaccine was administered in a qualifying country. Pet owners travelling with an animal that has not been vaccinated in Canada should consult the list of qualifying countries on the DAFF website.

3. Blood test

Following vaccination, a blood test, usually taken 30 days later, will be required to confirm that the response to the vaccination is adequate. The results of the test must show that the neutralizing antibody titer is at least 0.5 IU/mL.

Only laboratories approved by the European Union (EU) may be used (approved laboratories). If a re-vaccination is carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer, no second test is needed.

In North America, this testing is currently available only at the following laboratories:

Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) test Rabies Laboratory
1800 Denison Avenue
Manhattan, Kansas
66506-5606, U.S.A.
Telephone: 785-532-4483 Fascimile: 785-532-4474

Please refer to Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine for information on submitting the samples.

VETCOM
Food Analysis and Diagnostic Laboratory
2472 Schofield Road, Building 2632
Fort Sam Houston, Texas
78234-6232, U.S.A.
Telephone: 210-295-4605

Request the Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization test (not the Rapid Fluorescent Focus Inhibition Test).

It is recommended that a copy of the United States Department of Agriculture standing import permit accompany any samples to Kansas; therefore, the veterinarian must contact the laboratory and request a faxed copy.

Before your pet may enter Ireland under the Pet Travel Scheme, there will be a six-month waiting period, starting on the date of the first successful test. If it is impossible to wait that long, the pet will require quarantine for the balance of the remaining six months. Contact DAFF to arrange quarantine.

4. Treatement against parasites before entering Ireland

Between 24 and 48 hours prior to check-in, a licensed veterinarian must treat your pet against ticks and tapeworms with an approved medication. The certificate must indicate the name and dosage of the medication, as well as the method of administration. Ensure that the veterinarian rescans the microchip to confirm that the number is correct and that the chip is readable.

Products used for treatment against tapeworms must contain Praziquantel as the active ingredient. To search for products that are registered and approved for use in Canada, visit Health Canada's Drug Product Database. Read the product label to ensure that the product can be used for dogs and cats.

To search for products that are registered and approved for use in Canada against ticks and fleas, visit Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency product label transcript service. Under "Search full contents of e-labels," enter "ticks and dogs and cats, not collar" for a listing of available products.

5. Certification

A veterinarian authorized by the competent authority (a licensed veterinarian) must provide all the pertinent information concerning identification and vaccination by completing the Veterinary Certificate.

Once all the steps above have been successfully completed, contact your local CFIA Animal Health Office to obtain an official endorsement by an official veterinarian (competent authority – CFIA veterinarian).

6. The fee for endorsement is $20.

7. Puppies, kittens and young ferrets

No exemptions exist for puppies, kittens and young ferrets; vaccination is required, as outlined above.

For further information or clarification on these procedures, please contact the CFIA Animal Health Office in the province where you reside.

8. Arranging for your animal to travel on an approved route

Pets travelling from Canada must enter Ireland by air on an approved route. You may view approved routes from Canada on the DAFF website.

Travel Rules From January 1, 2012

Note 1: All sections must be completed in the EC Veterinary Certificate for Domestic Dogs, Cats and Ferrets – PDF (28 kb). Further information is available on the website of Ireland's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (DAFF).

Note 2: Every attempt has been made to ensure that the information on this site is up to date; however, countries can change their import requirements without notifying the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). It is strongly recommended that you contact the embassy or official veterinary authorities in the country of destination to confirm that there are no changes or additional requirements, or prohibitions related to specific breeds of dogs or cats.

1. Identification

Before any other procedure is carried out, your pet must be identified with a microchip. This microchip should comply with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard 11784. If it does not, the owner is responsible for providing a suitable microchip reader.

For easy reference, the CFIA has listed companies that manufacture ISO-compatible microchips.

2. Rabies vaccination

Your pet must have been vaccinated against rabies with an approved inactivated vaccine or a recombinant vaccine.

Please note that a rabies vaccination will not be considered valid unless the animal was properly identified at the time of vaccination, and the vaccine was administered in a qualifying country. Pet owners travelling with an animal that has not been vaccinated in Canada should consult the list of qualifying countries on the DAFF website.

3. Tapeworm treatment

At this time, requirements for tapeworm treatment are to be confirmed. Please consult the DAFF website prior to travel.

4. Certification

A veterinarian authorized by the competent authority (licensed veterinarian) must provide all the pertinent information, concerning identification and vaccination, by completing the Veterinary Certificate.

Once all the steps above have been successfully completed, contact your local CFIA Animal Health Office to obtain an official endorsement by an official veterinarian (competent authority – CFIA veterinarian).

5. The fee for endorsement is $20.

6. Puppies, kittens and young ferrets

No exemptions exist for puppies, kittens and young ferrets; vaccination is required, as outlined above.

For further information or clarification on these procedures, please contact a CFIA Animal Health Office in the province where you reside.

7. Arranging for your animal to travel on an approved route

Pets travelling from Canada must enter Ireland by air on an approved route. You may view approved routes from Canada on the DAFF website.