Bringing Pets
Bringing pets. This one is always a difficult one when moving abroad. Many British residents who plan to move to North Cyprus to find their new home in the Sun may feel quite upset at the thoughts of having to say goodbye to their beloved pets that are devoted members of the family. Though it may seem like bringing pets to Northern Cyprus is a complicated procedure, once you know exactly what you need to do it is actually not that complicated at all. This guide should tell you everything you need to know about bringing your pets with you on your new life adventure in Northern Cyprus.
General requirements for bringing pets to North Cyprus from the UK:
1. Export Health Certificate issued by UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
This certificate accompanies all cats and dogs being exported from the UK. In order to get your application form, simply contact your local Animal Health Divisional Office. Once it has been filled in and returned they will then send out a certificate to your nominated “official veterinarian” to complete the certification. Export Health Certificate can be issued by an “official veterinarian” only. Your local AHDO will inform you on who they are and how to contact them.
State Veterinary Service, UK
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
Address: 1A Page Street, London SW1P 4 PQ
Telephone: + 44 (0) 207 904 6000
Website: www.defra.gov.uk
2. Import License for North Cyprus
This license is obtained from the Northern Cyprus Veterinary authorities and always accompanies the animal. To get your Import License, simply fax the following to Mr. Dogan Pasa (contact details below) at the North Cyprus Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and Veterinary Services. The Import License will be faxed back to you. Please do note that this process takes at least a week.
a. Details of your pet: name, breed, age, sex, colour
b. Owner’s name and fax number
c. Rabies Diagnostic Test Report (blood test results)
d. Rabies Vaccination Certificate
Mr. Dogan Pasa, Deputy Chief Veterinary Surgeon (English is spoken)
Tel.: + 90 392 225 3751
Fax: + 90 392 225 2536
3. Statutory Declaration
By this, the owner declares that the animals are intended for export from the UK to North Cyprus and were not imported into the UK in the past six months.
The following four medical procedures that you need to complete can be carried out by any registered veterinary surgeon:
a) Rabies Vaccination
A rabies vaccination must be given not more than twelve months prior to export, and the Rabies Vaccination Certificate must be completed by the veterinary surgeon. Remember to arrange the vaccination at least two months prior to your departure so that you have enough time to complete the rest of the procedure.
b) Micro Chipping
Microchipping is done before or at the same time as the rabies vaccination. This provides positive proof of your pet’s medical record and identity.
c) Blood Test
The blood test must be done 30 days after the rabies vaccination. After the test has been passed, it proves the vaccination has given sufficient protection to your pet against rabies and so, a Rabies Diagnostic Test Report will be issued. You will then need to wait at least a month for these results to come back. Should your animal “fail” the test, both vaccination and test will need to be repeated.
d) Examination by a Veterinary Surgeon 48 Hours before Departure
The examination is required by the airline to prove that your pet is fit to travel.
Travelling with your pet
In order to bring your pet to North Cyprus you will need to obtain a travel box, the construction, and size of which must meet IATA standards For information visit their official website; www.iata.org or for more information contact your airline referring to airfreight of your pet to North Cyprus Ercan Airport or the official veterinarian.
Quarantine in North Cyprus
Once you have brought your cat or dog to Northern Cyprus, it will need to go into quarantine for four weeks and this will be repeated every time your pet re-enters the country. At Ercan Airport Customs they will contact the Veterinary Department for your pet to be transported into the Government-run quarantine kennels in North Nicosia. If you wish, you may accompany your pets to the kennels and settle them in yourself. Dogs may be taken out for exercise within the quarantine area. Owners are expected to be responsible for providing all food for their animals, check them regularly and may need to clean out their pet’s quarters. Most owners visit the kennels daily.
Bringing Pets via South Cyprus
You may also transport your pets to North Cyprus via South Cyprus. Because South Cyprus is a member of the European Union, the entry requirements for animal import are included in the Pets Travel Scheme (PETS). But you may want to check the latest laws just in case as these may change without any notice. Please do note that an import license for Northern Cyprus will still be required and that it is currently illegal to take animals from North Cyprus to South Cyprus. For general information contact PETS Helpline 0870 241 1710 or check DEFRA website.
For more information about pets in North Cyprus contact:
Kyrenia Animal Rescue Society
Address: PO Box 450, Kyrenia, Mersin 10, Turkey
Helpline/Fax: (0) 392 815 3390
Website: www.kyreniaanimalrescue.org
Email: kar@kyreniaanimalrescue.org