CONDITIONS FOR ADOPTING A DOG OR CAT TO BE TAKEN ABROAD

AN ANIMAL WHICH IS VACCINATED, NEUTERED, AND LABELLED ACCORDING TO THE PROGRAM OF LAW 3170 IS CONSIDERED THE PROPERTY OF THIRA MUNICIPALITY AND FOR ITS ADOPTION BY A PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL THE FOLLOWING IS REQUIRED;

1. A SWORN ADOPTION STATEMENT (STATUTORY DECLARATION) (ARTICLE 8 [N].1599/1986) THAT THE PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL DECLARES THE RECEIPT OF THE ANIMAL FROM THE MUNICIPALITY, AND HIS/HER OBLIGATION TO OBSERVE THE OBLIGATIONS THAT ARE DETERMINED BY THE LAW AND THAT IT WILL NOT USE THE ANIMAL FOR EXPERIMENTAL OR OTHER SCIENTIFIC AIMS (THERE IS A READY SWORN STATEMENT AT THE VETERINARY CLINIC).

2. THE LABELLING OF THE ANIMAL WITH AN ELECTRONIC IDENTITY (MICROCHIP) AND THE RECORDING OF THE ANIMAL IN HIS/HER NAME.

3. EUROPEAN BOOK OF HEALTH WITH THE RECORDING OF VACCINATIONS WHICH IS SUPPLIED BY THE VETERINARY CLINIC

4. THE CERTIFICATION OF A RECOGNIZED LOCAL ANIMAL WELFARE ASSOCIATION OF THE DESTINATION OF THE ANIMAL WITH FULL DETAILS OF THE INDIVIDUAL WHO WILL ADOPT THE ANIMAL AND THAT OWNER HOLDS ALL CONDITIONS FOR THE ADOPTION.

5. A BRIEFING BY THE AIRLINE COMPANY WHICH THE ANIMAL WILL TRAVEL WITH AT LEAST 24 HOURS BEFOREHAND FROM WHICH HE/SHE WILL ALSO TAKE AUTHORISATION TO TRANSPORT THE ANIMAL.

IF THE ANIMAL HAS NOT PASSED FROM THE PROGRAM OF THIRA MUNICIPALITY AND IT DOES NOT HAVE A MICROCHIP WHICH CERTIFIES PRIVATE PROPERTY, IT IS CONSIDERED ONCE AGAIN A STRAY AND IN ORDER TO ADOPT IT THE ABOVEMENTIONED PROCESS SHOULD BE FOLLOWED AND IT IS THE SAME PROCESS.

FOR AN ANIMAL UNDER THE AGE OF THREE MONTHS WHICH IS NOT VACCINATED BECAUSE IT IS A RABY, A SPECIAL AUTHORISATION OF A MEMBER OF THE DESTINATION STATE IS REQUIRED.

FOR ANIMALS OLDER THAN THREE MONTHS THAT STILL HAVE NOT BEEN VACCINATED FOR RABIES REQUIRE VETERINARY CERTIFICATION THAT THEIR MOTHER HAD BEEN VACCINATED FOR RABIES DURING THE YEAR OF CHILDBIRTH AND THE VACCINATION PERIOD WAS IN FORCE.

THE SAME PROCESS IS FOLLOWED WITH THE DIFFERENCE THAT A CERTIFICATE OF HEALTH IS ALSO REQUIRED, SIGNED BY THE PUBLIC VETERINARIAN OF THE THIRA PROVINCE. ACCORDING TO THE LAW THE TRAVELLERS ARE OBLIGED TO ASK INFORMATION FROM THE RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITIES AT THEIR PLAC OF ESTINATION AT LEAST SIX MONTHS PRIOR TO THEIR DEPARTURE.

THE ANIMAL SHOULD, EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE, BE EXAMINED TERMINOLOGICAL FOR TITLE OF ANTIRABIC ANTIBODIES. THE EXAMINATION OCCURS WITH THE SENDING OF A SAMPLE OF BLOOD TO THE RECOGNIZED GREEK VETERINARY INSTITUTE FROM THE PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL VETERINARIAN THAT MADE THE ANTIRABIC VACCINATION.

IF THE TITLE OF THEIR ANTIBODIES IS ABOVE THE PERMISSIBLE LIMIT THE ANIMAL FOR ENGLAND OR IRELAND CAN LEAVE IN SIX MONTHS FROM THE BLOOD TAKING OTHERWISE IF IT LEAVES EARLIER , THE ANIMAL IS KEPT IN QUARATINE IN ENGLAND UNTIL THE 6 MONTHS ARE COMPLETED WHICH IS PAID BY THE PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL.

THE TRANSPORTATION OF ANIMALS ONLY OCCURS BY SPECIFIC AIRLINE COMPANIES AND THE ENTRY INTO ENGLAND ONLY IN SPECIFIC AIRPORTS. FOR SWEDEN THE EXAMINATION OCCURS IN FOUR MONTHS FROM THE ANTIRABIC VACCINATION AND AFTER THE POSITIVE RESULT THE ANIMAL CAN LEAVE IMMEDIATELY.

BECAUSE THE REQUIEMENTS CHANGE EACH YEAR, ANY INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS SHOULD COMMUNICATE WITH EACH EMBASSY OF THE COUNTRY WHERE THEY ARE TRAVELLING BEFOREHAND.

The story of Leonidas and his new owner flying to the States 

1.       As a first step, I visited the local vet who did an examination of Leonidas, confirmed he had all his necessary vaccinations and treatments (rabies, worms, fleas, ticks, etc.) and issued his Pet Passport. He got a microchip (which cannot be read by the North American microchipping system but is still required for international travel).  And gave me some pills for this flight should he need to relax. This cost about 70 Euros.

2.       I officially adopted Leonidas from the municipality of Thira. This involved a visit to the city office that is responsible for stray animals. It is located at the Town Hall at the Environmental Department  (Mon-Fiday 09.00-15.00 phone 0030 22860-25847). The adoption was free and fast.

3.       To leave Greece with a dog, a health certificate must be granted by the regional Department of Agriculture. Doing this in Santorini is an uphill battle and not worth the effort. They asked for a letter of recommendation from a US animal welfare group (not an email or fax). Even after I produced this letter, the office said they would not issue the paperwork because only the chief could sign it and he was on vacation for three weeks. I’ve been told similar stories of difficulty by others who have dealt with the office. My advice is to go Athens.

4.       I took a night ferry to Athens. When I bought my ticket, I was told that Anek Lines lets dogs inside the main areas of the boat. Well, it didn’t. The Anek crew wanted Leonidas to be put in a horrendous cage near the engine. I wouldn’t allow that so Leonidas and I spent the night in the cold wind on the upper deck. He was great. I was cold.

5.       I went to the Athens office of the Department of Agriculture. There may be several offices but I went to the one at IDIPIDOU 31 at Ampelokipi 1st floor. I believe there are three vets -- Mrs. Kiritsi, Mrs. Bourdou and Mr. Kiskinis. I dealt with the later and told him that the dog was mine and I had been staying in Athens. I provided an Athens address. I did not mention that Leonidas was previously a stray; he did not ask. Nor did he ask for a letter from a US animal welfare group vouching for my character -- that seems to be a Santorini requirement. The paperwork was issued easily in five minutes.

6.      The next task was to buy a crate for Leonidas. I had more issues with this than others because Leonidas is a big dog. Most dog kennels can be easily purchased from a pet store, just make sure the kennels are approved by the International Air Transport Association. Also, I recommend checking with the airline to be sure the crate size meets its standards.

7.       While I was dealing with my Athens errands I stayed at the Miramare Hotel in Voula. The owners are dog lovers and allow dogs of all sizes. It was also reasonably priced at about 35 euros a night. I highly recommend it.

8.       Some notes on when I checked in with Delta Airlines: Delta never asked for the Greek Department of Agriculture health certificate. They only wanted the Pet Passport. It is entirely possible the Delta people didn’t ask me for it because there were other issues going on (we were having problems with the crate size).  I would recommend having the Dep of Ag paperwork anyway -- it would be too risky to not have it. Also, the Delta website indicated very strict rules about crate size but the Delta employees at the airport did not seem too concerned, ie that Leonidas could sit up in the crate with ample head room. I paid $200 for Leonidas to travel on Delta (about 150 euros). I believe that’s the price for dogs of all sizes.

9.       Leonidas's entry to the US was no problem. US Customs asked for this Pet Passport, took a quick look at him, and waved us into the US.