With the introduction of the European Pet Passport Scheme and easing up of the EC regulations regarding quarantine, it is now relatively easy to bring cats and dogs to and from Spain. As long as certain conditions are met (see list below) you can bring your cat or dog with you to visit Spain for the short or long term.
Your Pet Passport will contain all the information required – including details of the relevant vaccinations, treatments etc.
Many Spanish landlords are happy to allow pets in their rental properties , although it is always recommendable to check with the agent or landlord before you book. Once you arrive in Spain, for any emergency treatment of your pet, you will find that there are plenty of vets here – they are well trained and many provide around the clock cover. In the popular ex-pat areas, you will also find many vets that speak English.
No quarantine is required for pets travelling to and from Spain from the UK, but there are a number of fairly strict conditions that must be met and it is worth consulting with your vet a minimum of seven months in advance to ensure you have done everything necessary :
1. Microchip
Your pet must be microchipped in accordance with an ISO spec so that it can be read by a standard microchip reader. The main purpose for this is to identify your pet.
2. Rabies
All pets must be vaccinated with an approved vaccine against rabies, max 30 days before travelling. After the first rabies vaccination, boosters are required on a regular basis and must be kept up to date. 30 days after a rabies vaccination, the pet should have a blood test to ensure that they have the required antibodies. NB Pets need to be 3 months or older for a rabies vaccination.
Note, that unless your pet was resident in the UK, microchipped, vaccinated and blood tested before 28th Feb 2000, you will need to wait at least six months after a successful blood test result before being allowed entry or re-entry into the UK.
3. Other Vaccinations
These must all be up to date, including Distemper and Hardpad for dogs, typhus and feline gastro enteritis for cats.
4. Tick and tapeworm
Pets must be treated 24-48 hours before arriving in the UK and treatment must be noted on the Pet Passport.
5. Veterinary Examination
Your vet should examine your pet before travel to confirm that the pet is in perfect condition to travel and has no contagious diseases – the vet needs to confirm this for you in writing.
In all cases, before booking your travel, you should check with the airline or carrier that they can transport pets (some do not) and that they have room as they usually have rather limited space for animal transport. The pet will be placed in a special area in the hold that is heated and lit and you should expect to pay around 5 euros per kilo. Some airlines do allow the pets in the cabin, though they should be in a soft carrier rather than a hard one.
Pet travel info from BA: http://www.britishairways.com/travel/pet/public/en_es
The Dept for Environment in the UK (DEFRA) supplies some useful information on its website, as well as details of authorised carriers: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/eucountries.htm
