No matter your destination, when traveling overseas with your pet dog, cat, ferret, bird, or other pet, doing your research can make your trip with your furry travel companion a seamless one. A trip to your pet’s veterinarian for rules and regulations and other necessities will likely be in order.

First, whenever traveling internationally, always carry an international rabies certification for the dog, cat, or ferret that’s with you. Your animal’s veterinarian should be fully familiar with this document. The date of vaccination on the certificate must be within 30 to 365 days of your arrival on foreign soil. Less than 30 days, the vaccination may not be in full effect. More than 365 days, and the vaccination may be expired.

The Swiss Federal Veterinary Office in each canton will also check to make sure that the rabies certification was issued in the region of your primary, or most recent, residence.

Other requirements consist of ensuring that animals traveling with you do not number more than five, that they will not be sold, or possession otherwise transferred, once inside Swiss borders, and that they are planned to act exclusively as pets.

Importation of canines with docked tails or cropped ears is forbidden.

An examination fee of CHF 88 will be collected for each cat, dog, or ferret at a customs stations or veterinary clinic.

Rules also pertain to pets that are traveling back into Switzerland, but do not affect pets traveling by public road or railway from other places in Europe.

Complete requirements for specific pets, including procedures and documentation, for travel to Switzerland as an individual with a pet can be found at the Swiss Customs site.

Swiss entrance regulations with a pet, as part of an intercontinental association can be found at the Swiss Mission site.

Customs regulations regarding importation of domesticated animals are in place for good reasons. Among which includes protection for you and your animal.

No matter if you are visiting or relocating to Switzerland, steer clear of a travel nightmare by making complete provisions for arrival with your furry friend. Compare your pet’s proper documentation to your own passport. Devoid of it, you and your dog, cat, bunny, or other travel companion will not be crossing the boundary together.