Traveling With Your Pet

The persons who decide to take their pets on a vacation abroad should know that they have to arrange for a series of papers and give their pets the required shots. Also keep in mind that not all the hotels accept animals. [Vaccines are mandatory for pet travel] First of all, an animal must have a vaccination certificate to be able to travel abroad. A mandatory vaccine is that against rabies and it is provided for free in Moldova’s veterinary facilities. Three days before the departure, the owner must come to the State Veterinary Service for a certificate proving vaccination. Mihai Cojocaru, department head with the Service, has told Info-Prim Neo that in the case of birds, the only certificate the owner has to produce at the border is that the birds are healthy; there are no special vaccines that must be administrated prior to the departure. At the same time, the pet’s owner must get properly informed about the requirements imposed by different EU countries. For example, besides the traditional vaccines – those against rabies tuberculosis, leptospirosis and hepatitis – some of them demand proofs of tests for rabies antibodies in blood serum samples and other kinds of vaccines. Dr. Cojocaru says such tests are impossible to get in Moldova and require a trip to Moscow or Bucharest. With that in mind, the owners should afford themselves enough time to make the proper vaccination arrangements before leaving. In addition, a pet must get a chip implant prior to entering the EU. Pet chipping is done at pet lovers clubs or at private clinics, with fees being set at around 500 lei. Sources within the Moldo-German animals’ rights organization Laika said that the micro-chipping procedure is a must for cats and dogs. The device contains the basic information about the animal, including its weight, dimensions, age, and a vaccine record. In addition to the chip, the owner must buy a chip reader at a vet drugstore. [In planes, pets fly in the luggage compartment] Tourists who prefer planes and intend to take their pets with them should inform their travel agencies well before the flight. Time is needed in order that all the information (race, weight, fur color, age, etc) is introduced in the ticket. After that, travel agencies should get in touch with the airline operating the flight to make sure that the animal may take that flight. Keep in mind that some airlines do not allow animals inside the passenger cabin because, as a rule, the Moldovan aircraft do not have compartments specially equipped for pet travel. In this case, the animals are placed inside a special cage that the owner has to prepare in advance, which is then loaded into the baggage compartment. Airlines give assurances that the animals are safe in there and there is nothing wrong that can happen to them during the flight. Other companies allow the animals aboard inside a cage, provided that the total weight doesn’t exceed 6kg. Airfare for a pet is €2/kg. So, before buying a ticket, bear in mind that there are extra costs for pet transportation. [On a train, get an entire compartment] It is not to offer your pet sufficient space; it is an obligation. If you can’t afford such a luxury, the animal will have to stay outside the compartment, somewhere in the vestibule. On the departure day, the owner will pay a special pet fare at the luggage section – 27-29 lei/10kg. A dog must wear a muzzle and a collar. And don’t forget the vaccine certificate. [Not all the hotels accept pets] Moldovan travel agencies warn that pets are not always welcome in hotels or resorts abroad and proper arrangements should be made by the owners in order to avoid a spoilt vacation. An alternative would be private apartments or cottages rented to a restricted number of visitors.