Animals are a special type of shipment. This is because not only is adequate security at stake, but also the comfort and health of a living, sentient being. How do you prepare your pet for the journey? What documents do we need to have and what do we have the right to require from the carrier?
Dogs and cats can cause problems during transport. To make things easier on yourself and them, it is a good idea to get your pet used to driving and being in a carrier. If your dog or cat only associates the car with unpleasant visits to the vet, it is likely to be frightened during its first long journey. Therefore, before you take your pet abroad, take a short, pleasant trip with him or her. If, on the other hand, he has never spent time in a bag or carrier before, try to make him feel comfortable in them. Buy the equipment before your trip, place it in the house or garden and place treats or toys inside. This will help your pet get used to the carrier. You will also avoid any problems convincing him to go inside.
We asked Ms Aneta Tyl, a dog breeder, for advice. Ms Aneta points out the difficulties that can arise when transporting dogs, especially puppies that have never travelled by car before.
"When the car starts, the doggie may panic because it will be hit by the fact that something it has never had to deal with is happening. Dogs usually vomit during the first few journeys. It is therefore worth protecting the car. Also, you need to provide a comfortable and relatively stress-free environment for the dog. It must have the company of a human being. However, it is important not to get upset when it panics. Things like motion sickness are unavoidable, especially in puppies. It is a good idea to take 2-3 new toys with you. There is a good chance that a panic attack will be interrupted by playing."
Ms Aneta's blog also reminds us that when a dog panics, the carer should try to calm him down. He shouldn't fret himself, as this will only make the dog worse. We would also like to remind you to make stops and take your pet for a short walk and to give water regularly.
To transport your pet abroad, you should first take care of the formalities. The animal needs the correct documents and must also undergo tests. The Chief Veterinary Inspectorate describes exactly what requirements need to be met. General rules for the movement of companion animals within the EU (in force since 1 January 2012)
Dogs, cats, ferrets: 1. must be identified with a MICROCZIP. 2. they must be vaccinated against rabies. 3. they must be provided with a passport, issued by an authorised veterinarian, certifying the validity of the rabies vaccination.
Microchip
The microchip encodes the 15-digit number assigned to the animal. It is a small (12mm x 2.1mm) device that records data on both the animal and the owner. The microchip is implemented using a needle.
Rabies vaccination
The vaccination becomes valid 21 days after it is given for the first vaccination given to an animal over 3 months of age. If the animal is vaccinated regularly, the next vaccination becomes valid on the day it is performed.
Passport
The passport is issued by an authorised veterinarian. It is issued immediately (if the animal has already been vaccinated against rabies). Registers of doctors authorised to issue documents are kept by district veterinary councils, and can be found on the website of the National Chamber of Veterinary Medicine. The cost of issuing a passport is 51 zł. These are the basic requirements to be met when travelling within the European Union. However, some countries have additional requirements. The transport of animals to the UK, Ireland, Finland and Malta is linked to the need for prophylaxis against Echinococcus multilocularis tapeworms. The prophylaxis should be carried out no earlier than 120 hours and no later than 24 hours before crossing the borders of the countries mentioned.
Transporting pets with the help of a transport company You can also have your dog or cat transported by a transport company.
If you need transport for both you and your pet, you can also look for a company that will transport both of you. Some companies allow you to transport your pet together with a guardian.
Permissions of transport companies
Before entrusting your pet to a transport company, make sure it has the required authorisations.
If the transport of animals is carried out under the terms of a transport service, the transporter is required to have the appropriate authorisation, which is obtained through an administrative procedure before the District Veterinarian. To obtain this authorisation, the crew of the means of transport must hold a licence to transport animals.
There is a database of companies authorised to transport animals, maintained by each District Veterinarian. As specialist hauliers for transporting companion animals (dogs, cats, etc.) do not operate in every county or province, it is easiest to search for a suitable haulier using the Internet. This can be done using the list of authorised transporters available on the website of the Chief Veterinary Inspectorate . However, this document is difficult to recommend to those seeking to send their pet on a long-distance, foreign journey.
Remember that the company which transports your dog or cat should have the required authorisations. By entrusting your pet to a professional carrier, you are ensuring its safety and proper care.
Regardless of the efforts made to provide our pet with the most friendly transport conditions, we must remember that sending your dog or cat on a long journey is not at all an attractive trip for it. For any pet, it is a gigantic stress that can only be mitigated, but cannot be fully eliminated. For this reason, prolonged transport of animals, especially young and weak specimens, should be limited only to absolutely necessary situations. Ask your veterinarian how to prepare your pet for such a journey.
You can transport your pet in your car, but you need a suitable carrier. There are plenty of gadgets available on the market that are useful when transporting your dog or cat. The choice of carrier depends on the comfort and safety of both the animal and the other passengers.
Cages
If you are the owner of a large dog, you may decide to purchase a cage. However, cages are bulky and can only be fitted in cars with a large boot, such as station wagons and SUVs.
Containers
Containers open from the side or top. If your cat or dog is likely to cause trouble and escape from the cage as soon as it is opened, it is better to opt for a container that opens from the top. Some carriers have water and food containers fitted inside. Containers are practical and are also useful for cycling trips or other outings.
Bags
The advantage of textile bags and pens is that they are lightweight and air permeable. With good ventilation, your pet will feel more comfortable.
Protective mats
Animals, especially larger dogs, can also be transported in the back seat of the car. However, when opting for this solution, remember to secure the seat. The animal may scratch or soil the upholstery during transport. In addition, non-slip mats help him to keep his balance.
Harness
If you want to transport your dog on the seat of the car, you should also buy special harnesses. These will make it easier to keep your pet in place, ensuring safety.
First and foremost, the size. The carrier should be large enough for your pet to be able to lie down, stand up, straighten up and turn around freely.
Safety
If you are transporting your pet in the back seat, you can use the harnesses mentioned. However, it is important to remember that they must not be clipped to the animal's neck. They must be attached to the seat belts. Harnesses are also useful when transporting in a cage. Carriers and bags, on the other hand, should be strapped to the seat so that they do not move during travel. It is important that the animal is stable and not allowed to move all over the car.
Remember that properly securing your pet is important for both them and you. A distracted cat or dog in the car is a distraction to the driver and a danger.
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