What are the rules for bringing pets into Ireland from member EU states (except the UK)?
If you want to import a dog or cat into Ireland from any EU member state, except for the UK, the pet must have an EU Pet Passport, (this document is the same throughout the EU). The Passport certifies that:
- The pet is travelling from an eligible country.
- The pet is identified by an implanted microchip.
- The pet has been successfully blood-tested for rabies anti-bodies at least six months before entry.
- The pet has been vaccinated against rabies.
- The pet has been treated for tick and tapeworm. The pet must be treated between 24 and 48 hours before travel and the time and date of treatment must be entered on the passport.
In addition, the pet must travel on an approved carrier on an approved route with its owner or with a person acting on behalf of the owner (unaccompanied pets cannot travel to Ireland under the EU Pet Passport System).
Under the EU Pet Passport System it is possible to bring dogs and cats into Ireland from a range of countries deemed low risk for rabies without the need for quarantine, provided that the following conditions are met:
- you are traveling directly from an eligible country
- you are traveling with an approved carrier
- your pet is over three months old
- your pet will be accompanied
- your pet has been micro-chipped
- your pet has been vaccinated against rabies
- your pet has been successfully blood-tested
- you have a passport or veterinary certificate completed by veterinarian certifying identification, vaccination and blood-test
- at least six months has expired since a successful blood-test
- your pet has been only in an eligible country during this six months
- you pet has been treated for tick and tapeworm between 24 and 48 hours before check-in at ferry terminal or airport
More details can be found on The Irish Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food website: Travel to Ireland with a pet and a Pet Passport (Except UK)
What are the rules for bringing pets into Ireland from qualifying non-EU countries?
If you want to import a dog or cat into Ireland from a qualifying non-EU country, the pet animal must undergo the following in this order:
- Be microchipped (this must be done before anything else).
- Be vaccinated for rabies (may be done on the same day as microchipping).
- Be bloodtested after rabies vaccination and microchipping at least six months before entry (the pet must have a result greater than 0.5 IU/ml).
- Be treated for tick and tapeworm between 24 and 48 hours before departure.
- Have a Veterinary Certificate (passport) issued or endorsed by the competent authority in the country of origin.
- Be accompanied by the owner (or person acting on their behalf) on an approved carrier into Ireland.
What are the rules for bringing pets into Ireland from all other non-eligible countries?
If you want to import a dog or cat into Ireland from a country other than one eligible for the EU Pet Passport System, you must have an import licence from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The pet will be required to spend six months in the public quarantine in Ireland.
There is only one approved public quarantine premises: Lissenhall Quarantine Kennels and Catteries, Lissenhall, Swords, Co Dublin, Tel: +353 1 8900375, Fax: +353 1 8409338. Animals must spend their six-month quarantine here.
The animal must be transported by air to Ireland and land at Dublin, Cork or Shannon airports and be brought on by air to Dublin if necessary. Transport from the airport to the quarantine must be undertaken by the sole authorised carrying agent: Kelly Couriers, 30 Selskar Avenue, Skerries, Co. Dublin. Telephone: +353-1-8490807 Fax: +353-1-8029801.
This arrangement is to be undertaken by the owner.
All costs (quarantine, veterinary fees, transport etc.) must be met by the owner. Arrangements for quarantine and transport must be in place before an import licence is granted. It’s important to remember that the animal may not travel without an import licence.