Pet Air Travel: “Do I Need a Pet Passport?”

Hi PetRelocation,

I am trying to bring a puppy that I rescued back to the United States. I have a 4 hour layover in France. Do I need to have an EU pet passport for my dog if I am just having a layover in France and I do not exit the airport?

Thank you,

Hannah

 

Hi Hannah,

Excellent question. Unless you are switching airlines or leaving the airport, you do not need to meet the country requirements through which you are transiting (so this means you don't need to worry about having a pet passport).

You should just need to meet the pet import requirements for the United States to complete a smooth journey, and these primarily consist of having an updated rabies vaccine. Microchips and other comprehensive vaccines are not required, but we do recommend these for all pets traveling internationally (and all pets in general, really).

If you're looking for more information (international pet travel can be stressful, we know), please review these essential pet travel tips for more guidance, and you're welcome to contact us for a pet travel consultation if you think you'd like some assistance with your dog's relocation.

Congratulations on your new furry family member, by the way! Good luck, Hannah, and just let us know if we can be of further assistance.

Pet Travel Question Details:

Name: Hannah
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Unknown
From: Dakar, Senegal
To: United States