This information is applicable to those who will be travelling with their pets or will be importing animals to the Czech Republic either from Canada or from the USA.

I. VETERINARY REQUIREMENT FOR TRAVELLING WITH DOGS, CATS OR FERRETS

As of October 1, 2004, the following is required for travelling with dogs, cats or ferrets to the Czech Republic:

1. Completed Veterinary Certificate signed by an official veterinarian or a veterinarian authorised by the competent authority. The sample Veterinary Certificate provided here is mandatory and must contain the information listed below:

A. Country of Dispatch of the animal

B. Owner/responsible person accompanying the animal

-Name

-Address

-Country

-Telephone number

C. Description of the animal

-Species

-Breed

-Sex

-Date of birth

-Coat (colour and type)

D. Identification of the animal

-Microchip number / tattoo number

-Location of microchip / tattoo

-Date of microchipping / tattooing

E. Rabies Vaccination

-Manufacturer and name of vaccine

-Batch number

-Date of the vaccination

-Expiration date of the vaccine

Once signed by an official veterinarian or a veterinarian authorised by the competent authority (the competent authority must endorse the certificate), the certificate is valid for four months, or until the expiration date of the inoculation period, whichever comes first.

The United States and Canada are both included in Annex II EC regulation 998/2003, which means that both countries are considered low risk regions for rabies. Therefore no rabies serological test is required.

As of February 7, 2005, an anti-rabies vaccination is considered as valid 21 days from the date of completion of the vaccination protocol required by the manufacturer for the primary vaccination. However, the anti-rabies vaccination is considered valid from the date of re-vaccination where the vaccine is administered within the period of validity indicated by the manufacturer of a previous vaccination. Once in the Czech Republic, the anti-rabies vaccination or re-vaccination will have to be given annually.

Dogs, cats and ferrets less then 12 weeks old are permitted to travel to the Czech Republic without prior inoculation against rabies (however the pet does need to have a chip or tattoo). In addition, the animal must travel with a statement from a veterinary doctor, who declares that the animal resided at its birthplace until the travel date and was not in contact with any animals possibly infected with rabies. Please be aware that other EU member countries might have different rules regarding the importation of pets younger then 3 months of age. If you intend on travelling to another European country with your young pet, you will have to contact the Embassy representatives of that particular country to find out if additional requirements apply.

For travel to the Czech Republic with your dog, cat, or ferret, a tick treatment or an echinococcus treatment is not required.

2.Identification - tattoo or microchip. If your pet is to be identified through a microchip, please be aware that the microchip must meet ISO standards ( International Organization for Standardization )Annex A, 2.1, ISO # 11785. For your information, the HomeAgain microchip from AKC Companion Animal Recovery, which is manufactured in compliance with Annex A, 2.1, ISO # 11785 meets the requirements. If the microchip does not meet the ISO standards then you have to keep an applicable microchip reading device at the time of crossing the borders into the Czech Republic.

II. VETERINARY REQUIREMENT FOR TRAVELLING WITH PETS OTHER THAN DOGS, CATS OR FERRETS

Invertebrates (except for bees and crustaceans), ornamental tropical fish, amphibian, reptiles, birds (except for poultry covered by the Council Directive No. 90/539/EEC), rodents and domestic rabbits, if there are five animals or less, can be imported as pets. Pets other than dogs, cats and ferrets can enter the Czech Republic with a health certificate issued by your local veterinarian. This health certificate must be issued within 10 days of the animal´s departure for the Czech Republic.

If the species or subspecies is listed under the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), you must apply within the Ministry of Environment of the Czech Republic for issuing an Import CITES Permit.

Pet birds must be accompanied by a prescribed Veterinary Certificate and can enter the Czech Republic territory only via the border inspection office in Prague.

If your animal is listed under CITES or under the US Endangered Species Act, special requirements apply. For more information on CITES see the CITES website or the US Fish and Wildlife Service website.

III. VETERINARY REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPORTATION OF ANIMALS TO THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Any dog, cat or ferret travelling alone is considered commercial trade, and is subject to additional requirements. Commercial animals and pets travelling unaccompanied must have been clinically examined by a certified veterinarian within 24 hours of departure to the Czech Republic, and must travel with a Veterinary Certificate which states the date and time of the examination.

If your pet is considered commercial trade, a veterinarian in the Czech Republic will examine it after its arrival. Pets under 3 months travelling as commercial trade do not need a rabies vaccination but do need a microchip / tattoo and a health certificate issued no more than 24 hours before departure for the Czech Republic.

All above provisions can be applied to transit analogically.

IV. CONTACT INFORMATION

Ifyou have any questions, please contact

State Veterinary Administration of the Czech Republic

Slezska 7

120 56 Prague 2

Czech Republic

e-mail: int@svscr.cz

e.podatelna@svscr.cz