For many of us, our pets are our family, and the thought of leaving them behind while you study abroad can be unbearable. Depending on where you’ll be studying and what type of animal you have, you’ll most likely be able to bring your pet along for the adventure. Below, we discuss the regulations for importing your pet into Australia, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Australia
Australia’s rules on importing a dog or cat into the country are on the stricter side. Your pet must travel as to Melbourne International Airport to quarantine for at least 10 days at the Mickleham post entry quarantine facility. The states the quarantine will cost a minimum of A$2,000.聽
Visit the Australian Government鈥檚 website to read about importing pets.聽
Check out our blog to learn about Australia鈥檚 five most affordable cities for students!
Canada
Canada has import requirements to avoid introducing diseases to protect its people, animals, and plants. If you鈥檙e travelling with a pet or planning to import an animal to Canada, you鈥檒l need the proper paperwork at the border to meet Canada鈥檚 import requirements. Arriving without these documents increases your risk of experiencing border delays, or worse, your pet being denied access into Canada.
Use the to find out what you need before travelling with your pet.
Learn about top scholarships for international students studying in Canada!
Ireland
Your pet must travel to Ireland with you, or arrive within five days before or after you enter the country. If you鈥檙e travelling to Ireland from a non-EU country, you must provide of your plan to bring your pet into the country. You鈥檒l also need to have a compliance check carried out upon arrival. Afterwards, you must go through a designated Travellers鈥� Point of Entry (TPOE). You cannot leave the airport without completing your compliance check, unless you鈥檙e coming from another country in the EU.
To find out the specific requirements for entering Ireland with your pet, , then select the country you鈥檙e travelling from and the species of your pet.
Read our blog to learn about some excellent universities to study at in Ireland!
United Kingdom
The process of (England, Wales, or Scotland) is fairly straightforward. However, there are different rules and regulations for importing your pet into .
These are the requirements your pet has to meet to be granted entry into Great Britain:
- It has a pet passport or health certificate
- It has been vaccinated against rabies
- It has been microchipped
- It has been treated for tapeworm (dogs only)
- It will be travelling with an
- It has completed a blood test (if it鈥檚 coming from a country )
Beware! If your pet doesn鈥檛 meet one or more of the above requirements, it may be placed in quarantine for up to four months, and you鈥檒l be expected to pay for all quarantine costs.
Wondering which UK universities get top marks? Check out our 2022 list!
United States
According to the (USDA), animals entering the country may be subject to regulation by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in addition to other federal agencies. Depending on which state you鈥檒l be studying abroad in, your pet may also need to meet further state-level health requirements.聽
Do your research and prepare in advance to lower the chance of experiencing problems upon arrival. Check out the US Government website鈥檚 to receive entry requirement information for your pet.聽
Learn about the cost of living in the United States here.
Use this blog to start preparing for your beloved pet to join you on your study abroad journey! Remember to give your pet lots of extra care and time to adjust to the move. Safe travels!
Got more questions about your study abroad journey?
