Export Pet Dogs, Cats and Ferrets to Malta

1. Have your pet identified

Before any other procedure is carried out, your pet must be identified with a microchip. This microchip should comply with the 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. Have your pet vaccinated against rabies

The animal 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.

3. Arrange for a blood test for your pet

At least 30 days after your pet has been vaccinated, a blood test 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 EU (European Union) may be used (approved laboratories). As long as a re-vaccination is carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturer, no second test will be 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 the copy of the United States Department of Agriculture standing import permit accompany any samples to Kansas; therefore, the veterinarian must contact the above laboratory and request a faxed copy.

Your pet may not enter Malta under the Pet Travel Scheme until six calendar months have passed from the date that the blood sample provided a satisfactory test. If it is impossible to wait that long, the pet will require quarantine for the balance of the remaining six months.

4. Before entering Malta, your pet must be treated against parasites

Between 24–48 hours before commencing the journey to Malta, a licensed veterinarian must treat your pet against ticks and tapeworms with an approved medication. The certificate must indicate the date and time of the treatment, the name and dosage of the medication, and the method of administration. Please ensure that the veterinarian rescans the microchip to confirm that the chip is still readable and the number is correct.

Products used for treatment against tapeworms must contain Praziquantel as their active ingredient. To search for products that are registered and approved for use in Canada, please visit the Health Canada Drug Product Database. Please read the product label to ensure that it can be used for dogs and/or cats.

To search for products that are registered and approved for use in Canada against ticks and fleas, please visit the Pest Management Regulatory Agency's Search Engine Product Information. 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 (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 Office to obtain an official endorsement by an official veterinarian (competent authority – CFIA veterinarian).

The animals must also be accompanied with an Import Licence. For more information, contact the Veterinary Regulation, Fisheries Conservation and Control Division.

Lucienne Cassar
Freeport Border Inspection Post
Malta
Telephone: 011 356 21 65 03 93
Facsimile: 011 356 21 65 03 73

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 relevant CFIA Office in the province where you reside.