Travelling with pets
Non-commercial movement of pets to LATVIA
TRAVELLING FROM EU MEMBER STATES TO LATVIA
There are harmonized rules regarding non-commercial transport of dogs, cats and ferrets within EU.
The same conditions shall apply to re-entry and movement of animals from the following European non-member states: Andora, Croatia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monako, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland, Vatican City.
The requirements are:
- ID (Microchip or tattoo); (done before the first rabies vaccination);
- EU Pet Passport;
- Valid rabies vaccination in accordance with the recommendations of the manufactor of the vacine.
ID, Pet Passport and rabies vaccination
The animal must first have an ID. Either a microchip or a tattoo. Then it must have an EU Pet passport. The passport be issued by a veterinarian and is valid only if it is certified that the animal has been vaccinated againt rabies.
Valid rabies vaccination
The primary rabies vaccination must be given at least 21 days prior to departure. If the animal already has a rabies vaccination, which is still valid, it is not necessary to redo the vaccination.
It is very important, that the date of identification is prior to or the same as the first rabies vaccination date, which is entered into the EU Pet passport. If the date of identification is later than the date of the rabies vaccination, the EU Pet passport is not considered valid and the transport is considered illegal.
The movement of animals younger than 3 months
The movement of unvaccinated dogs, cats and ferrets younger than 3 months from other EU Member States and from third countries listed in Annex II, Part B and C of Regulation 998/2003/EC is authorized to enter Latvia if provisions of Regulation 998/2003/EC are fulfilled.
Latvia may allow the movement of animals which are under three months old and unvaccinated, if they are accompanied by a passport and have stayed in the place in which they were born since birth without contact with wild animals likely to have been exposed to the infection or are accompanied by their mothers on whom they are still dependent.
It is also recommended (not mandatory) to have dogs vaccinated against canine distemper, hepatitis, viral enteritis, parvo-, adeno-viral disease and leptospirosis.
TRAVELLING FROM THIRD COUNTRIES TO LATVIA
Several third countries are listed in Annex 2, Part B, section 2 and Part C to EU Regulation 998/2003/EEC. Dogs, cats and ferrets from these countries may enter Latvia, if they comply with the same requirements as for travelling within the EU, ie. ID (microchip or tattoo, valid rabies vaccination and veterinary certificate).
The requirements are:
- ID (Microchip or tattoo); (done before the first rabies vaccination);
- EU Pet Passport / Veterinary Certificate (veterinary certificate for non-commercial movement issued by an official veterinarian of the third country concerned or, for re-entry, a passport);
- Valid rabies vaccination in accordance with the recommendations of the manufactory of the vaccine.
Veterinary Certificate
A Veterinary Certificate (for non-commercial transport of dogs, cats and ferrets to the EU from third countries) must be issued by an official veterinarian or an authorised veterinarian (in case of the latter the certificate must be indorsed by an official veterinarian).
TRAVELLING FROM OTHER THIRD COUNTRIES
Dogs, cats and ferrets travelling from other third countries that are not listed in Annex II to EU Regulation 998/2003/EEC must comply with the requirements mentioned above. In addition a test for rabies antibody level must be taken.
The requirements are:
- ID (Microchip or tattoo) (done before the first rabies vaccination);
- EU Pet Passport / Veterinary Certificate (veterinary certificate for non-commercial movement issued by an official veterinarian of the third country concerned or, for re-entry, a passport);
- Valid rabies vaccination in accordance with the recommendations of the manufactory of the vaccine;
- A blood sample testing the rabies antibody level - must be drawn at least 30
days after vaccination.
The blood sample must be examined by an EU authorised laboratories
The result of the rabies antibody level test must be at least 0,5 IE/ml ;
The animal cannot enter Latvia (the EU) until three (3) months after the date when the blood sample was drawn and only if the result is in accordance with the requirements.
This three-month period shall not apply to the re-entry of an EU pet animal whose passport certifies that the titration was carried out, with a positive result, before the animal left the territory of the EU.
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