Pet Travel Checklist & Countdown Guide

A chronological, step-by-step master timeline for relocating dogs and cats safely from Germany.

Back to Services

Relocating a companion animal internationally requires precision timing. A single missed deadline—whether drawing a blood titre test one day late or failing to administer tapeworm treatment within the exact 24-to-120-hour pre-arrival window—can cause airlines to refuse boarding or destination biosecurity officers to place your pet into emergency quarantine.

Follow this comprehensive chronological checklist to ensure every veterinary procedure, crate milestone, government endorsement, and airport procedure is completed on schedule.

Chronological Relocation Master Countdown

1

Phase 1: 6 to 7 Months Before Departure (Long-Lead Milestones)

  • ISO Microchip Implantation: Implant an ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit non-encrypted microchip. Rule: Must precede all rabies vaccinations.
  • Primary Rabies Vaccination: Administer inactivated or recombinant rabies vaccine (minimum animal age: 12 weeks).
  • Rabies Titre Blood Draw (RNATT / FAVN): For travel to Australia, New Zealand, Japan, or unlisted countries entering the EU, have blood drawn at least 30 days post-vaccination and sent to an authorized reference laboratory. Australia requires a mandatory 180-day wait from blood draw to export date.
  • Breed Check: Verify that your dog is not subject to destination Breed-Specific Legislation (e.g. Pit Bulls, XL Bullies, Tosas) or airline brachycephalic embargoes.
2

Phase 2: 3 to 4 Months Before Departure (Permits & Crate Setup)

  • Import Permit Applications: Apply for government import permits (e.g., DAFF Australia, UAE MOCCAE, Singapore AVS). Processing takes 6–8 weeks.
  • Quarantine Facility Reservation: Secure mandatory Post-Entry Quarantine (PEQ) slots (e.g. Mickleham Quarantine Facility in Victoria, Australia).
  • Obtain IATA CR1 / CR82 Travel Crate: Measure your pet using the official IATA formula ($A + \frac{1}{2}B, C \times 2, D$) and acquire an approved rigid crate with all-metal hardware.
  • Initiate Crate Acclimatisation: Introduce the crate at home with doors removed, feeding positive-reward treats inside.
3

Phase 3: 1 to 2 Months Before Departure (Flight Coordination)

  • Air Cargo Reservation: Book live animal manifest cargo space through NextDay Drop with Lufthansa Cargo, Air France/KLM Cargo, or Emirates SkyCargo.
  • Select Transit Insurance Tier: Review policy terms and select transit protection (Essential, Comprehensive, or Premium Pet Relocation).
  • Crate Conditioning Advancement: Feed regular meals inside the closed crate; conduct short vehicle simulation rides.
4

Phase 4: 2 to 3 Weeks Before Departure (Pre-Export Testing)

  • Official Municipal Vet Appointment: Book the official endorsement appointment with your local German veterinary authority (Amtstierarzt).
  • Destination-Specific Serological Testing: Complete required blood panels (e.g. Brucella canis, Leishmania infantum, Ehrlichia canis for Australia).
  • External Parasite Treatment: Apply veterinary fipronil/permethrin monthly topical treatments as mandated by destination rules.
5

Phase 5: 10 Days to 1 Week Before Departure (Official Certification)

  • Clinical Veterinary Health Examination: Licensed vet completes physical examination and fills out the official bilingual Export Health Certificate (e.g., USDA APHIS, GB Pet Health Certificate, EU Annex IV).
  • Government Amtstierarzt Endorsement: State veterinary officer reviews microchip, vaccination history, test reports, and applies official government embossed stamp and signature.
  • US CDC Dog Import Form (if entering USA): Submit online form to obtain approved CDC Dog Import receipt.
6

Phase 6: 24 to 48 Hours Before Departure (Final Treatments)

  • Mandatory Tapeworm (Echinococcus) Treatment: For travel to the UK, Ireland, Finland, Norway, or Malta, licensed vet administers praziquantel between 24 hours and 120 hours prior to arrival and records timestamp in documentation.
  • Final Internal Parasite Dosing: Administer second praziquantel dose if required for Australia/New Zealand.
  • Document Pouch Preparation: Assemble 3 complete copies of all health certificates, passports, test reports, and import permits into a clear, waterproof pouch to tape to the crate top.
7

Phase 7: Day of Travel & Airport Handover

  • Pre-Flight Feeding: Feed a light meal 4 to 6 hours before check-in. Do not feed immediately before departure.
  • Exercise & Hydration: Provide an extended walk before crating; attach dual water dispenser filled with ice cubes to wire door.
  • Airport Cargo Check-In: Deliver pet to Frankfurt (FRA) or Munich (MUC) Live Animal Cargo Terminal 3 to 4 hours prior to scheduled departure. NextDay Drop flight handlers complete live animal acceptance verification.

Summary Document Packet Checklist

Master Document Dossier (Keep in Exterior Crate Pouch)

  • Original EU Pet Passport (Blauer EU-Heimtierausweis) or national vaccination record.
  • Official Government Endorsed Health Certificate (signed and stamped by Amtstierarzt).
  • Certified Rabies Antibody Titre Laboratory Report (RNATT / FAVN) & Official RNATT Declaration.
  • Destination Government Import Permit (DAFF, MOCCAE, AVS, etc.).
  • Mickleham / Destination Quarantine Booking Confirmation Letter (if applicable).
  • US CDC Dog Import Form Approval Receipt (for travel to the United States).
  • Written 24-Hour Emergency Contact Dossier & Feeding/Watering Guidelines in English and German.

Frequently Asked Questions

For strict quarantine destinations such as Australia, New Zealand, or Japan, preparation must begin 6 to 7 months prior to travel due to the mandatory 180-day rabies antibody titre (RNATT) waiting window. For destinations like the USA, Canada, the UK, or the EU, begin veterinary preparations 2 to 3 months before departure.

Feed your pet a light meal approximately 4 to 6 hours before departure. Do not feed a heavy meal right before crating to avoid motion sickness or vomiting during flight. Keep fresh water available until airport check-in, and attach a dual water dispenser filled with ice cubes to the crate door so water melts gradually without spilling during taxi.

The official veterinary health certificate must be completed by an authorized private vet and stamped/endorsed by the municipal veterinary office (Amtstierarzt) within 10 days of your pet's scheduled arrival at the destination port of entry.

Attach a waterproof, clear document pouch containing at least three copies of: the endorsed Veterinary Health Certificate, original EU Pet Passport / Rabies Certificate, destination Import Permit, laboratory Titre Test reports, emergency contact information, and feeding/watering instructions in English and German.

Regulatory Compliance & Date of Verification: Relocation countdown milestones published here are verified current as of August 2026. Sourced directly from: IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR), European Union Regulation (EU) No 576/2013, UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), US CDC Dog Import Regulations (effective August 1, 2024), and Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). Pet shippers must confirm individual health requirements with their treating veterinarian prior to travel.
Request Quote Start Booking Process