In the not too long ago many people resisted returning to Ireland because of their love for the family pet. Many families simply could not fathom six months without the best friend while the required quarantine time ticked slowly by. Never mind the expense of keeping a dog or cat in the quarantine kennel for this length of time, it just wouldn’t do to imagine the loneliness of your beloved pet for six whole months.

While no one can argue the wisdom of keeping Ireland (or anywhere!) free from the scourge of rabies, rabies vaccinations have virtually eliminated rabies in pet populations wherever they have been employed. Ireland and other European Union states have realized this and amended the quarantine rules to the point where concern for Fido or FiFi no longer keeps ex-pats from becoming re-pats.

The rules are basically very few and simple. The Department of Agriculture & Food will issue an EU Passport once certain requirements have been met. There is a good long list of countries from where the dogs and cats are eligible for pet passports. Some of the procedures include implanting the animal with a microchip (This is a good idea whether you plan on traveling or not, as it can help in seeing your pet returned to you in case of loss or theft.), rabies inoculation, blood test from an accredited laboratory, and a waiting period in the home.

I don’t know about you, but I’m liking the European Union more and more as far as Irish affairs are concerned. This Pet Passport business will help to improve the bloodlines in pedigreed dogs worldwide. And the value of moving to a new country with the whole family, well that would be priceless, wouldn’t it?

For more information about moving to Ireland with a dog or cat, please contact Ireland’s Department of Agriculture at 1890 504 604 inside Ireland; +353 1 607 2827 outside Ireland; or online at pets@agriculture.gov.ie or visit the website at www.agriculture.gov.ie/pets18