We are moving to Spain in few months from Philly, USA. We have two cats. Need advice on airline choices, how to prepare the cats, the type of crates to purchase, how ensure that they would actually we able to get on the plane, vet suggestions that are approved basically everything and anything. The official regulations are clear. The rest are all unclear. Airlinewise, US airways has direct flights but they do not take Pets, British Airways gets good reviews and take cats but has a stopover and they are not giving 100% guarantee that by making a reservation you could get on the plane which is quite bothersome.

thanks,

(UPDATE: USDA messed up the paperwork, cats stayed back causing a lot of grief for us.)

well you need to get you cats passports , head to you vet are get on to gov and should tell you how to head to are ask at the airport if that got vet office there

then you need to get touch few airline and ask which one will shipp them

IB the spanish airline do ship cats dogs

jurdy

tell us how you got on please love to get a story here about it

You actually need to be a resident of Spain before you can apply for an EU Pet Passport, at which point your new local vet will be able to help you along with the process.  To import your cats from the United States, you will need the following:

1) Microchip:  Each Pet shall be identified by means of a microchip.  No other form of identification is acceptable. The microchip used should comply with ISO Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO standard 11785- otherwise the pet will need to be sent with it?s own scanner attached to the top of the crate.

2) All animals need to have Full Vaccinations:

Dogs:  Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvo, Leptospirosis, (DHLPP) and Rabies within the last 12 months or a minimum of 4 weeks before arrival.

Cats:  Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia (FVRCP), and Rabies within the last 12 months or a minimum of 4 weeks before arrival. 

3) EU Vet Health Certificate (Form EC#: 998) - This is the standard Health Certificate to be filled out by your accredited Veterinarian.  Although this certificate is technically valid for 4 months, it is recommended to be completed and endorsed by the USDA within 10 days of travel to avoid any customs issues upon arrival.

4) USDA Endorsement:  The below referenced forms:

?  Microchip Implantation Record
?  Rabies Certificate
?  EU Vet Health Certificate

Must be sent to your local USDA for their stamp of approval. 

4.  International Health Certificate:  Your vet should have these in stock.  It?s a good idea to call ahead and ask.  This is an international health certificate that needs to be completed by your vet within 10 days of departure.  Depending on the logistics of your particular pet relocation and the specific health certificate being used (APHIS Form 7001) an additional USDA Endorsement maybe required on this health certificate. 

As for airline recommendations, I would recommend using Continental if flying into Barcelona or Madrid, or KLM or Lufthansa if flying elsewhere.  All three airlines have great “pet-safe” programs, and while all three involve one layover, they have a phenomenal track record with pets - plus they can guarantee you space.

I hope that helps!

Hi,

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions.

  This web site gives all the information for the paperwork.
  [2]http://www.mapausa.org/Viaje/Animal/Nocomercial/dcf.htm
  We already contacted a vet accredited by NVAP and got an appointment for
  the full checkup/paperwork.

  Thanks for the advice on Continental airlines. Apparently they do have a
  direct flight from Newark which would make our travel easier.

  Will post updates as we move forward.
  Thanks for the responses.