You can travel with your pets on the airlines either way. If your pet´s weight is less than 8 kg then you can carry it in the cabin. You can visit this blog: Pet Travel in cabin: India To Portugal. If your pet’s weight is more than 8kg then you can carry them in Cargo.
In this blog, I will explain everything that you should know before traveling with your pet on a cargo hold.
I am sure that by reading this blog till the end, you can travel independently with your pet on your own.
- Pet Microchip
You can go to your nearby veterinarian clinic for microchipping. They will charge you around ₹1000-1500 depending on your area.
Following points you need to consider:
- The microchip must be 15-digit ISO Standard 11784/11785 compliant
- The microchip must be done before vaccination (preferably 30 days before)
- Never forget to take a microchip certificate issued by a veterinarian.
- Vaccination Card/Pet Passport
Your pet vaccination card should list all vaccinations(eg: Nobivac RL, Nobivac Puppy DP, Nobivac DHPPi) with the date and stamp by a registered veterinarian. In this card, the anti-rabies vaccine must be mentioned and the date should be after your pet is microchipped.
- Rabies Titration Test/Rabies Antibody Test
To travel in the EU region, you should have a negative Rabies Antibody Test report. As per EU guidelines, the date of blood sampling for the Titration Test should be done right after 30 days of anti-rabies vaccination. You can also consult your local vet, they will charge you from ₹15000-25000 depending on your area.
Following points you need to consider:
- You can fly after 90 days from the date of blood sampling for the rabies antibody titration test.
- The titer test result should be above 0.5IU/ml.
- Must have an EU-authorised laboratory for serology. You can verify this by filling out the form for blood titration.
- Purchase IATA-approved Crate
You have to purchase an IATA-approved crate with dimensions in which your pet can stand, move, and lie down in its natural position. How to measure exact size: You can review 1-2 products on Amazon to get an Idea about the crate size for your pet. Then you can buy either online or nearby store. You also need to purchase water and food bowls and attach them to the crate.
- Book Flight Ticket
After getting the negative result of the rabies titration test, it’s time to choose the right airlines based on your travel journey. I always prefer Lufthansa, Swiss, and KLM for pet travel. Guidelines for Swiss and Lufthansa airlines are the same(Both are members of Star Alliance).
Following points you should consider:
- You cannot travel with your pet in cargo if it belongs to snub-nosed animals like Lhasa Apso, Shitzu, chow chow, etc. During the flight, they can have trouble in breathing due to high temperature and stress. As a result, your pet, your pet could suffer serious health problems during the journey.
- Some airports like Munich, don’t accept cargo hold on connecting flights.
- Book a flight that will land you in Portugal in the daytime (In Lisbon airport, Traveler’s Entry Point closes at 00:00 and reopens at 06:00)
- First, talk to the customer agent via call or chat and discuss the travel date, then they will help you which flight number you can choose that allows pets in cargo. Once you booked the flight, you can chat/call an agent to add a pet to your ticket. After confirmation, you will get another ticket with the pet confirmed in your mail.
- Health Certificate
To enter Portugal, a pet health certificate must be EU Compliant (Regulation (EU) No 576/2013). You can download the health certificate format from here. 5-7 days before travel, you need to visit your veterinarian. On page number 6, He will enter the vaccination details and sign it.
- Official health certificate from AQCS
ANIMAL QUARANTINE & CERTIFICATION SERVICES(AQCS) is a government agency that ensures all import/export movement from and to India. 10 days before travel, you need to send an email to the AQCS Delhi office(aqcsnr-dadf@nic.in) and request to get an appointment 1-2 days before travel for a health/export certificate. On the appointment day, you need to visit at 10 am with your dog and submit all the documents. Within 20-30 minutes, they will call you with your pet for a physical examination by a government veterinarian. After 2-3 hours, you will get an official health certificate issued by the AQCS government of India.
Following documents(self-attested) you should send by mail person and carry a photocopy of each document for the AQCS Appointment:
- Health Certificate signed and stamped by Local Vet (EU Compliant)
- Microchip Certificate
- Vaccination card
- Passport copy of the owner
- Air ticket
- Blood titre test
- Airway bill (Airlines will provide you airway bill number, ideally you will get it by email)
- 02 4×6 inches Post Card size photo (Light facing) of Pet.
- Mail to Lisbon Airport
Once you receive the Official health certificate from AQCS then you need to send a mail to Lisbon airport(pcflisboaa@dgav.pt) to inform them that you are traveling with my pet in cargo and attach the below documents:
- A scanned copy of the Official health certificate from AQCS
- Flight Ticket
- Filled and signed this form(only a few details you have to fill in)
- On Journey Date
On the journey date, you need to reach 3-4 hours before departing time. First, you need to go to the Lufthansa check-in counter and they will check all the documents(Official health certificate and Rabies Titre Test report). Based on the pet’s weight including the crate they will charge you and add a sticker in the crate with the pet’s name with airway bill number. Then your pet will be sent to cargo.
Few things you need to make sure of:
- To identify your pet’s crate, put a collar with the pet’s name and your contact information, as well as a label on the crate.
- Place a favorite toy or other item with familiar smells in your pet’s carrier.
- Custom Clearance at Lisbon Airport
Lastly, when you reach Lisbon airport then Upon arrival, you need to ask the baggage claim staff where you can pick up your pet. Then you need to visit the DGav(Directorate General for Food and Veterinary Affairs) office(next to belt number 9). Where a veterinarian will verify all the documents then will charge you 40 euros and give you a receipt of the Veterinarian examination for customs clearance. Then you can book an Uber pet and safely arrive at your hotel.
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