Traveling with Animals
How can I travel with my pet?
Like many people, you may live with a dog, cat or other loved pet. But what should you do when you go on a trip?
In case you don't want to forego your pet's company during your holiday, here you'll find important information on the applicable rules and guidelines as well as useful tips to ensure your pet's comfort and wellbeing during the flight.
Ask your airline about its rules for traveling with animals
Every airline has its own rules on flying with pets. As a general rule, dogs and cats weighing up to 6 kg may be taken on board inside a suitable kennel. You are responsible for making sure that the kennel does not exceed the maximum weight and measurements stipulated by your airline. Please note that many airlines do not allow certain animals — e.g., birds and rodents — to travel in the aircraft's cabin. Instead, they must be transported in the cargo hold. So please contact your airline directly well before your trip to find out what its rules and requirements are.
Animals also require travel documents: a pet passport
To facilitate traveling with pets, since October 2004 an EU directive has required every animal to have a standardized pet passport. This document can be obtained from any authorized veterinarian. It contains information about the animal's state of health and verifies that it has been vaccinated against rabies.
Additional Information on the Internet
For additional information on pet passports and the relevant EU regulations, visit the website of the German Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection at www.bmelv.de (search for "pet passport") or use the following links:
Information on pet passports
Health certification Import regulation
List of countries and regions
List of certified laboratories in the EU and in other countries
Veterinary Service at the Airport
The Veterinary Border Inspection Office of the State of Hesse at Frankfurt Airport is glad to inform you:
Phone: +49 (0) 69 69 -1506 or +49 (0) 69 695 - 02414
Fax: +49 (0) 69 69 - 2608 or +49 (0) 69 695 - 02412
E-mail: poststelle.tgsh@lhl.hessen.de
Information on Health Regulations
Our animal protection officer will be happy to provide you with complete information on all relevant health regulations. Simply call or send an e-mail:
Phone: +49 (0) 69 - 690 21366 or +49 (0) 69 690 – 74331
E-mail: avi-services@fraport.de
You'll find additional information on traveling with pets here (pdf).
For information about regulations and procedures on travelling with pets and animals from the United States to Germany please visit this site.
