After 24 February 2022, many Ukrainians travelled abroad with their pets. Since then, the rules for crossing the border with pets have improved significantly. Find out what documents you need to have to enter Ukraine with a pet in 2024

Consultation on border crossing rules on the Visit Ukraine portal

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Many Ukrainians are currently returning to Ukraine from abroad. According to MP Vadym Halaychuk, 50-75% of military migrants plan to return home. Some of them left after the start of the full-scale invasion with their pets. Recently, the procedure for returning from abroad with pets has been simplified - their owners only need to complete a certain set of documents. All the nuances are in the material on the Visit Ukraine portal.

What documents do pet owners need?

- A European-style veterinary passport or a certificate of animal health;

- a certificate of valid rabies vaccination;

- a document on the animal's chipping.

Earlier, we told you that Ukrzaliznytsia plans to amend the rules for the carriage of pets. Details are available here.

The veterinary certificate contains the following data:

- country of issue;

- name, address, country, telephone number of the sender;

- name, address, country, telephone number of the recipient;

- country of origin, ISO code, region of origin, region code;

- destination country, ISO code, destination region, region code;

- place of origin, name, address;

- destination, name, address;

- place of loading;

- date of dispatch;

- vehicle;

- state border crossing point through which entry is made;

- number of animals;

- information on the availability of certification;

- Data on the animal: species, sex, colour, identification system, date of chipping, identification number, date of birth, number;

- proof of rabies vaccination.

Detailed instructions for transporting animals by train can be found here.

Please note! The test for rabies antibodies must be carried out no earlier than 12 months and no later than 3 months before crossing the border!

- for dogs: notification of additional vaccinations (if any) - against canine distemper, infectious hepatitis of carnivores, parvovirus of carnivores.

- for cats: notification of additional vaccinations against panleukopenia (if any).

Please note! Additional vaccinations are carried out on the recommendation of the vaccine manufacturer at least 14 days before export.

Where can I get the following documents?

You can get a veterinary passport / health certificate at a pet clinic in any country of the European Union. You can also have your animal chipped and vaccinated there, after which you will receive the necessary confirmation.

Please note! Vaccination and chipping should be carried out in advance - rabies antibodies can be detected only 30 days after vaccination, so you will receive supporting documents for entry into Ukraine no earlier than a month after the procedure.

Please note! Rabies vaccination is allowed for animals only from the age of 12 weeks!

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When can an animal be quarantined?

Before crossing the border, a blood sample is taken to detect rabies antibodies. If the test results are positive, the quarantine will last for 3 months. If the test results are negative, the animal is quarantined, and a new sample is taken in 30 days.

If the new tests are also negative, the animal will be re-vaccinated 2 months after the first vaccination.

The maximum quarantine period is 6 months.

Rules for transporting pets

1. For a short trip or for public transport, you can use a carrier bag, for travelling between countries, you need to buy a container that meets the standards of IATA (International Air Transport Association).

2. Means of transport should be chosen based on the weight and size of the animal.

3. Before travelling, you should consult a veterinarian.

4. Before the trip, it is better not to feed the animal, but only give it water.

5. For motorists: the animal can be transported in a container, in the back seat covered with a car hammock, in the trunk using car bedding.

6. If the animal is in the car without a container, you need to take care of a special net that will prevent the driver and the animal from contacting while driving.

Read more about how to properly place a pet in a car on the Visit Ukraine portal.

7. The method of transportation also depends on the size of the animal (for example, animals that weigh less than 8 kg together with the container are allowed in the cabin of an aircraft).

Remember. Detailed instructions on how to cross the border with an animal - in particular, when travelling to the EU - can be found on the Visit Ukraine portal.

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