Paphos People

There have been some differing opinions on Keith's Moving Diary about the requirements for bringing your dog into Cyprus so I thought I would post this as information for anyone else bringing a dog to Cyprus.

We have had our dog chipped and vaccinated against rabies. The pet passport has been issued. We were prepared to have the blood test done but were told by one of the pet carriers that we contacted that if we were not bringing her back into the UK we should save our money and not have the blood test done. They told us that most vets won't tell you this as it is another way to make a little more money. The blood test is only required by DEFRA if you intend travelling back to the UK with your dog. We were quite satisfied with this explanation and decided to forego the test as we do not intend returning, at least not with a dog in tow.

Keith however has been told that he must have the test, and that it must be carried out to check for the presence of the rabies antibodies. He was also told that the passport will not be issued without it, and even though we already have ours this concerned us and so we decided to check. We rang a second pet carrier company, who came highly recommended and we will definately be using. They frequently send dogs to Cyprus and they also confirmed what were were told by the first carriers - we do not need this test if we are exporting her permanently. Still not satisfied we decided to ring DEFRA themselves. They have confirmed categorically that this test is NOT required for permanent export.

I hope this helps others in a similar situation who may be getting conflicting information but if in doubt, always check with the government body responsible for the legislation, which in this case is DEFRA.

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Tina
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Hi Tina

You are quite correct about not needing the blood test to arrive in Cyprus

One word of warning I would give to anyone reading this is to think carefully about your own situation. We regularly get calls from people, often in tears, who had no intention of returning to the Uk but something had come up, family illness/emergency etc, and the dog is not ready to fly

As it takes 6 months from the date of the blood test before the animal can fly back to the UK it is a long time if you have to leave quickly. The blood test is also cheaper in the UK

We have no intention of leaving but are getting our dogs prepared as they are young and we do not know what is round the corner. Three years ago I would have laughed at anyone who suggested that we would be living in Cyprus and we have been here 18 months now
Helen

Very good point Helen and it was pointed out to us too. Hopefully we won't have to return quickly as we have no ties in the UK, in fact the only ties now are in Cyprus. If we did have to come back for any reason short-term then we would leave the dog with Sam, assuming she is not the reason we had to return of course.

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Tina
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Tina you have obviously have a plan which is good

The people who ring us have been taken by surprise or those who thought 'it would never happen to them'. If this posting just gets one more animal prepared then we will not see the adverts for rehoming as owners are returning to the Uk or being boarded for 6 months

best wishes for your move
Helen

I hope so too Helen. As you rightly say, all personal circumstances should be considered by those in this position. My original post is merely to give people the DEFRA rules which are being misinterpreted and allay any worries if they have decided not to have the test.

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Tina
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Thought I'd post this here as well as in my diary.

ENTRY INTO THE TERRITORY OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS FROM EU MEMBER COUNTRIES



The following information has been supplied to us by the Republic of Cyprus Veterinary Services, Animal Health and Welfare Division.



If all these requirements are met, there will be no need for a quarantine period.



Requirements



1. IDENTIFICATION

a) Have a clearly readable tattoo OR
b) Have an electronic microchip


2. European Passport obtainable from your Vet.



3. Rabies Vaccination – to be vaccinated at least 21 days and within 1 year prior to export,



4. Although not a requirement it is advisable to have a blood test taken 30 days after vaccination to make sure the correct amount of rabies antibodies are present



5. Antiparasitical treatment – 24 – 48 hours prior to departure

a) Fipronil (fleas, ticks, lice)
b) Praziquantel



6. Vaccinations Cards.

7. Completion of the fitness to fly section of the Passport, or a certificate from your Vet within 7 days of departure

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Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want....

Hi Tina. We didn't have the blood tests on either Toby or Jessie because they were old dogs and we had no intention of returning with them to the UK. Toby, as you know, has gone to Doggy Heaven - I was crying about him yesterday on my way to Lara as I was remembering taking him there last year. Sorry - not relevant, but I do miss him still. Jessie had a nice walk on the beach though.

We also didn't have the blood test on Kiwi, our cat, because we have no intention of returning to the UK. However, we reasoned that if something catestrophic took us back he is young enough to endure a 6 month quarantine.

Once you have had the rabies jabs, got their microchips, and got the vaccinations up to date, they will be recommended to have the kennel cough thingy - is it a vaccine? - and then 24 to 48 hours prior to flying they will have flea and tick treatment. They should also be wormed regularly, too.

Whether you have the blood test or not is up to you. If you have it you need to keep the rabies vaccine up to date every 12 months otherwise it becomes nul and void.

Verity.

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Verity.

Be who you are, and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

http://coecyp.blogspot.com

We have discussed this further and have still decided that for us we won't have the test. As you say Verity, Daisy is young enough to endure 6 months quarantine if it were necessary but it would be something really catastrophic to take us back to the UK for a lengthy time.

Everyone must consider their own personal circumstances and make their own decisions, but at least armed with the correct facts.

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Tina
xxxx

Tina, IF it came to it we may be in a position to help out, too. We won't have any more animals once Jessie has joined Toby, but we do love to have dogs around us.

I am all for forward planning, but some things can't be planned in advance and chance and risk are part of the joy of living. If you try to eliminate all risk and never take a chance, you never live and don't know what joy is.

I will take my philosopher's hat off now.

Verity.

_________________
Verity.

Be who you are, and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

http://coecyp.blogspot.com