Relocating your pet to Ireland doesn’t have to be stressful. Our team handles every detail, from paperwork and vaccinations to booking pet-friendly flights and coordinating safe ground transport. We guide you through Ireland’s import rules and ensure your dog, cat, or other companion travels comfortably and arrives healthy. With personalized planning and constant communication, we make your move seamless so you can focus on settling in while we keep your pet’s journey smooth and worry-free.
Ireland has strict requirements for pets entering the country. We handle every detail, from verifying microchip information to scheduling EU-compliant health certificate appointments. This ensures your pet’s paperwork is accurate, complete, and ready for travel.
Once all documents are confirmed, we arrange the safest and most comfortable flight options to Ireland. We coordinate closely with airlines and cargo staff to select routes that minimize stress and provide the best care for your pet along the way.
Before your pet departs, we provide a detailed itinerary including flight information, check-in instructions, and pick-up or delivery times. You’ll know exactly what to expect, giving you confidence and peace of mind throughout the process.
No matter where you are in Ireland, we offer flexible pick-up options—from your home, your veterinarian’s office, or directly from the airport. Our experienced handlers provide gentle care to keep your pet calm and comfortable during transport and check-in.
Upon arrival in Ireland, we handle customs clearance and any required checks, procedures, and quarantines. Then we arrange safe delivery to your new home, making your pet’s relocation smooth, secure, and stress-free for both of you.
Getting your pet ready to travel to Ireland involves more than packing a crate—it means meeting strict identification, vaccination, and documentation requirements to ensure a smooth journey. From microchipping and rabies vaccination to EU health certificates and airline compliance, every step must be completed correctly. At Pets in Transit, we guide you through the entire process, helping you stay organized, avoid delays, and make sure your pet arrives safely and comfortably.
All pets traveling to Ireland must have an ISO 11784/11785–compliant microchip implanted before receiving their rabies vaccination. Your veterinarian must scan the microchip at each vaccination appointment to ensure it is valid. If your pet’s chip is not ISO-compliant, you can either have a second ISO-compliant chip implanted or travel with a scanner that reads the existing chip. We’ll confirm compliance and coordinate any required microchipping to prevent delays.
Note: ISO-compliant microchip numbers are usually 15 digits long. Pets in Transit will check ISO-compliance with the microchip manufacturer.
Ireland requires pets to have a valid rabies vaccination administered after microchip implantation. Pets must wait at least 21 days—or the period recommended by the vaccine manufacturer—before traveling to Ireland.
Here are the rules for rabies vaccinations in Ireland, according to the USDA website.
The first rabies vaccination after microchipping—or after any lapse in coverage—is considered a “primary” vaccination under EU rules.
For pets vaccinated in the U.S., a primary vaccination is valid for only 1 year, even if a 3-year vaccine was used.
A booster must be administered within 12 months to maintain coverage. Any lapse, even by a day, resets the timeline, and the next vaccination is treated as a primary.
If a booster is given within 1 year of the primary vaccine, it can be valid for 1–3 years depending on the manufacturer.
Pets may travel to Ireland less than 21 days after a booster as long as the previous vaccination is valid and all documentation is provided.
An EU health certificate must be issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian or military veterinarian. For pets traveling with their owners, a “non-commercial” certificate is usually sufficient. The certificate must then be endorsed by the USDA, which involves countersigning and embossing to verify the pet’s compliance with EU entry rules. Military veterinarians may issue certificates without USDA endorsement. Our team schedules vet visits, manages submission through the USDA’s VEHCS system, and ensures that all paperwork is correctly endorsed and returned on time.
Ireland does not require pet quarantine if your pet meets all the necessary import regulations, including microchipping, a valid rabies vaccination, tapeworm treatment for dogs, and proper documentation. If your pet fails to meet these requirements, it will either be refused entry, returned to its country of origin at your expense, or placed into quarantine until it meets the health standards. At Pets in Transit, we take all the necessary precautions to help avoid quarantine.
All pets flying to Ireland must travel in airline- and IATA-approved crates. Crates should be sized appropriately for your pet to stand, turn, and lie down comfortably. We can help you find the right crate—or build a custom crate, if needed—to meet requirements. Each airline may have additional rules and regulations. At Pets in Transit, we check ahead and ensure all rules are met.
Ireland has specific regulations for certain dog breeds. XL Bully dogs are banned from import, breeding, sale, and rehoming, and other restricted breeds—such as the American Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, and Bull Mastiff—must be muzzled and kept on a short lead in public. Airlines may also have additional restrictions for these breeds or for brachycephalic dogs, as well as seasonal travel limits. We carefully review all regulations, flight options, and conditions to ensure your pet travels safely and comfortably.
Let us handle all of the details and effortlessly manage your pet’s relocation from start to finish!
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