Transporting a pet on a plane can be a harrowing process, even the most veteran traveller. Having carried my two-and-a-half kilo Yorkshire terrier over the Aegean several times I am no stranger to the procedure, yet my memory recalls numerous situations where I have found myself confused and disillusioned by ground staff / cabin crew lack of compassion and understanding for passengers carrying pets onboard.
Preparing for check-in, I am armed with all the necessary documentation required by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the respective airline. Plastic carrier? Check. EU pet passport? Check. A registered electronic identification system (a.k.a. transponder)? Check. And, as an added bonus, I even packed her medical record book, just in case. So, following such stringent preparation on my part, what could possibly go wrong? A lot. So here are some hard facts for getting your pooch or feline to Cyprus sans complications from anywhere within the EU.
Point one is simple; animals younger than three months old may not be imported into Cyprus from any country. For pets older than three months, most airlines require an EU passport for any animal they are transporting, whether in the cabin or as an unaccompanied shipment and your vet must complete an Animal Health Certificate (either in English or in Greek) for entry into Cyprus. They also require a transponder or a clearly readable tattoo that will only be accepted as a means of identification until July 3rd 2011. Only small dogs and cats (up to five kilos) can go in the cabin and some airlines may not even allow them in, and will transport them as special baggage in a heated and ventilated hold.
To begin, contact your airline to confirm that they accept your pet on the day and flight that you prefer. Some airlines restrict the number of animals on a flight so the more advance notice you give them the better it is. Reconfirm at least 48 hours before departure and find out how soon before the flight you have to check in.
On arrival in Cyprus, you and your animal will report to a Customs Officer who will check your animal and the paperwork, that is, the Pet Passport and animal health certificate and vaccination certificates for Rabies and any other vaccinations that the animal has been given. Pets not adhering to all of the requirements above may still enter Cyprus, but they will be subject to six months in quarantine and will need an import licence obtained from the Government vet in Limassol.
A pet must then be registered with the local District Veterinary Station, and a local vet to observe the animal and record the transponder number or tattoo.