In my opinion, a dog is a member of the family just like any other human, and when able to should be taken with you on a vacation. But if you're planning on traveling internationally with your dog, you may be in for some trouble as I have recently begun to find out.
It is very important to research before you go. Different countries have different rules and regulations when it comes to dogs coming in from other countries. Some countries will charge you a high import tax, while others will have strict quarantine measures in place. It's important to do thorough research beforehand. Know what is required. Be prepared for the possibility of having to have your dog quarantined for 60 days after the return date. Or worse, to be denied entry.
Currently, I'm debating and looking at the options to move on from Vietnam. Along with this comes the challenge of relocating with my furry companion @Kooza (* yes he has an account on HIVE). Kooza, I received as a gift on Christmas Eve 2020. It was a surprise and did come with its own set of challenges, but no challenge that I thought was too great to overcome.
People asked me and said, "what will you do when you leave Vietnam with him". My response was, " I will cross that bridge when we come to it". Well now I find myself standing at that bridge with many options none of which are great.
Puppy Shots and Rabies Shots and More
Growing up we always had dogs and cats in the house, even goldfish and a hedgehog too! I know we took them to the vet often to get different medications, anti tick pills and more. So it's no surprise that this is required and needed for international travel.
The first challenge that I am reaching while getting ready to go international is the Rabies shot and Titer testing.
To fly and what most, if not all countries require is that a dog have their rabies shots up to date, and given at least 30 days before departure date. I got my puppy a rabies shot yesterday on 6/6/2021, so the earliest I could fly anywhere with him would be on 7/7/72021. That's not too bad but that then brings us to the Titer testing.
In summary... the titer test, tests for antibodies that can help determine if a vaccine previously received is still protecting the puppy.
In the case of rabies, 30 days after you get the rabies shot, you go back to the vet to make sure its working. The vet then does the titer test. This then takes another 90 days after testing to have the results return to the vet (*at lest here in Vietnam).
So, now before Kooza can fly internationally the majority of different countries, it would be the earliest of 10/7/2021. OMG!
Options available currently to leave Vietnam would be countries that do not require the titer test, but just the rabies certificate. This greatly reduces the options down to Albania and Mexico.
Flights and Costs
Another hurdle I just discovered while looking for options and solutions, is flying and traveling with a pet. Being somewhat naïve in this realm, I assumed a pet transport costs would be perhaps the same as a heavy bag and maybe around $100 USD. I was greatly surprised to discover this is not the case.
Looking at flights from Vietnam to Turkey, if this was an option. Would be put Qutar Airlines. From all my research they take very good care of pets on their flights, walk them at stops, feed them and wash out the cage. They charged $200 ... ... Per flight. So if you had a flight from X to Qatar, then from Qatar to the next stop... that is 2 different flights and it would be a charge of $400. That's not too bad... But the earliest I can fly to Turkey would be October.
Looking at flights from Vietnam to Albania, United Arab Emirates would be the plane to take. And they charge between $400 and $500 USD .... per flight! Again, that would be at minimum two flights. From Vietnam to the UAE, and then from the UAE onwards. So I'm looking at about $1000 ish to fly to Albania from Vietnam.
Lastly on the topic of flights, a lot of airlines do not cater to pets and you have to fly specific airlines. The specific airlines realize they have you, and do a lot of price gouging on the topic. All very sad, that the cost to fly your pet in the cargo space, is most of the time more than the cost of your actual flight in a nice comfortable seat.
Horror Stories the Vet Told me
Initially I also thought well what if you don't have this test done upon landing in a foreign country. I was reading on the Turkish import page for pets that they might impose a 90 day mandatory quarantine at home.
The vet informed me that this means it could be at a facility at the airport, or facility of their choosing. In their experience people affluent European countries with dogs who didn't have the test done, put into quarantine at the airport for 90 days at a cost of €200 through €500 a day!!! OMG... you're looking at a quarantine cost of about €18,000. If you can't or dont want to pay them, they will euthanize your dog on the spot. A sad and horrible thought.
So even while it says "a 90 day home quarantine", this can be interpreted a number of different ways on arrival, and could bring with it sizable price tag or the loss of your pet. I don't know how much of these are horror stories and hearsay or how much truth there is to it, but either way it's not ideal.
At least this regard, it is important to make sure you have your shots update!
Using a Pet Relocation Service
This then brings me to the pet relocation service. Service sounds great... a way to get your pet from A to B and have some else take care the paperwork and any import taxes and make it happen. With this convenience ... comes a pretty sizable price tag.
Speaking at least from Vietnam onward to Turkey or Albania using a service like this, it would be a minimum of about $2000 through $5000 to make this happen, and depending on a lot of different factors.
Not at all an ideal situation ...
Options Open to Me and Kooza.
- Stay in Vietnam, but was shifting visa regulations I could be forced to leave at any time. :/
- Waite 30 days and fly to Albania or Mexico incurring a sizable travel cost for the puppy dog of perhaps about $1500 using the United Arab Emirates or similar flights.
- Waite 120 days till October. (*might not happen because of changing visa laws) then fly to Turkey, and incur a travel cost of about $600 for @Kooza.
- Leave @Kooza with a trusted friend then pay a relocation service to fly him to me at some point the future... $2000 - $5000 cost.
- Leave @Kooza with a trusted friend then, fly that friend and Kooza to me in the future... $2000 ish cost.
- Leave @Kooza in Vietnam and return in a year when things settle down to perhaps pick him up then.
All these choices and decisions above not wonderful. They seem to all come with a high price tag, or stressful situations. Weighing the cost of all the options above, option number 3 seems to be the best, or at least the most affordable.
Wrapping it up
In all honesty I'm not sure what to do. Despite my lifestyle of a blogger author, I'm not a wealthy enough man to pay $2000 to fly my furry family member. But then I also do love the little guy like to take with me.... NO, I would LOVE to take him with me. I honestly feel trapped, not sure of the best course or outcome for this particular problem.
- What are your thoughts on the topic?
- You have another option I'm not thought about?
- Have you had any challenges flying pets internationally?
Thanks for taking the time to read this article, I hope you found it interesting.
| Travel Photos: | @RoamingSparrow |
| Photo Repository: | Roamingsparrow.SmugMug.com |
Services I Use and Recommend:
Help Support Ongoing Content
| Bitcoin (BTC) | 18zopjg9Y2VA1ouCqCZapN3UzdpK3UnMdm |
| Ethereum (ETH) | 0x849C33abCb753540fD0D6cDd25df05BC20a1254E |
| litecoin (LTC) | LdWUz5haDfkn4D1fxmte8nJePEGjJv6Lqh |
| Bitcoin Cash (BCH) | 1DRRtY3j5xzx6Dn9ofQgoosXdqGVsYYNcU |
| Helix (HLIX) | HPnubkb9FBtSZKPjRvqD166BX4vPK3GtAz |
Thanks for reading my post, you inspire me to keep posting!