Getting Our Dogs Ready

Not only do we have to have certain documents ready for us moving to Europe, but we also have to have our dogs ready.

1. First, we had to make sure to get the proper kennel-crates. They have to be IATA-compliant for international travel, which just means that the crates need to be big enough so our labs can turn around in and sit up. They also need to have ventilation on all 4 sides. The crates also need to be labeled 'live animal' with an up-arrow. The airlines also require food and water containers attached inside the crate. The women who sold the crates to suggested to freeze the water in the water bowl before departure. For more information, check out this site: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/pet_travel/content/wp_c_pet_travel_tips.shtml
2. For proper documentation, we took our dogs to the vet for a final examination who have to fill out the Netherlands certification (this is the same as an 'EU pet passport Form 998') with proper stamps and signatures from the vet (http://www.netherlands-embassy.org/article.asp?articleref=AR00002668EN). Luckily, they don't have to be quarantined if we have this certification. And because we are going to be traveling with our dogs, the dogs don't have to be USDA State approved. A great source was the http://www.pettravel.com and http://www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/vs/iregs/animals/

Hopefully there isn't anymore than this transporting our dogs!