Traveling To Belarus With A Dog: What You Need To Know

Yes, you can fly to Belarus with a dog, but there are several requirements that must be met. Firstly, your dog must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip, which stores important information such as the dog's and owner's data. Additionally, your dog must be vaccinated against rabies and other diseases, including distemper, hepatitis, viral enteritis, parvovirus, adenovirus infections, and leptospirosis. A health certificate, completed by a licensed veterinarian, is also required, and all necessary documents must be presented at the border for inspection. It is important to note that different airlines may have specific requirements for pet transportation, so it is recommended to check with the airline before travelling.

Required documents for flying to Belarus with a dog

To fly to Belarus with a dog, you will need to ensure that you have the correct documentation. Here is a list of the required documents:

• A veterinary certificate of vaccination.
• Your dog's passport.
• A veterinary certificate, obtained from the department of the veterinary service (city or district) from the chief veterinarian of the city or district.
• A health certificate for Belarus, completed by a licensed veterinarian in the country of origin shortly before travel. This should be endorsed by a government veterinarian representing the agency responsible for the import and export of animals.
• A copy of the rabies certificate, which should also be endorsed.
• A pro forma invoice or proof of value for your dog.
• Documentation as to the manufacturer of the microchip and instructions on how to register your dog's information in the manufacturer database.

It is also recommended that you treat your dog for internal and external parasites before entering Belarus.

In addition, you should be aware that some airlines have their own policies and requirements for transporting pets, so it is important to check with your airline to determine their specific requirements.

Microchipping requirements

To enter Belarus, your dog must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant pet microchip. This microchip is a 15-digit, non-encrypted chip that stores all the important information about your dog and its owner.

If your dog's microchip is not ISO compliant, you can bring your own microchip scanner. The microchip should be implanted by a veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or trained nurse, and you should receive documentation about the manufacturer of the microchip, along with instructions on how to register your dog's information in the manufacturer's database.

Microchipping is a requirement for travelling with a dog in Europe, although some exceptions are allowed for dogs born before July 2011. Belarus mandates microchipping, especially if you intend to use it as a transit country to travel to Europe.

If you are travelling from Estonia to Belarus and plan to return to Estonia, you must determine the rabies antibody titer from a blood sample before leaving the EU. The test result must be entered by a veterinarian into the EU pet passport, and the laboratory report must be attached to the passport. In this case, there is no waiting period, and your dog can return to Estonia at any time before the expiration date of the rabies vaccination.

However, if the rabies antibody titer is determined in Belarus, then there must be at least a three-month gap between determining the appropriate antibody titer and returning to Estonia. If these requirements are not met, your dog must spend three months in quarantine in the country of origin.

Vaccination requirements

To fly to Belarus with your dog, you must ensure that your dog has received all the necessary vaccinations. The specific vaccination requirements for dogs entering Belarus are as follows:

• Rabies vaccination: This is a critical requirement, and your dog must have a rabies vaccination to enter Belarus. The rabies vaccination should be administered between 30 days and 12 months before entering the country. Additionally, there is no requirement for a rabies titer test for dogs entering Belarus.
• Core Vaccinations: Dogs must be vaccinated against a range of core diseases, including distemper, hepatitis, viral enteritis, parvovirus, adenovirus infections, and leptospirosis. These vaccinations are essential for your dog's health and to meet the import requirements for Belarus.
• Kennel Cough Vaccination: Although not specifically mentioned in the sources, it is generally recommended that dogs travelling internationally be vaccinated against kennel cough (Bordetella bronchiseptica) to reduce the risk of infection.

It is important to note that puppies under three months old are typically not allowed to travel to Belarus, as they are too young to receive the necessary vaccinations. Additionally, adult dogs must be vaccinated at least 12 weeks before travel, and it is recommended to keep them in quarantine for three weeks after vaccination to ensure the vaccine is effective.

To summarise, ensuring your dog is up to date with its vaccinations is crucial for travelling to Belarus. Please consult your veterinarian to devise a suitable vaccination plan and ensure your dog meets all the necessary health requirements before your trip.

Entering Belarus with a puppy

To enter Belarus with a puppy, you will need to adhere to the following requirements. Firstly, your puppy must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant pet microchip. This microchip must be a 15-digit, non-encrypted chip that is implanted by a veterinarian, veterinary hospital, or trained nurse. You should also receive documentation regarding the manufacturer of the microchip. Additionally, your puppy must be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 12 months before entering Belarus. Puppies under three months old are exempt from this requirement but must still be microchipped and travel with a health certificate.

When travelling by air, there are specific requirements that must be met. You will need to provide a veterinary certificate of vaccination and the puppy's passport. It is also recommended to obtain a veterinary certificate from the department of the veterinary service in the city or district. This certificate can be obtained from the chief veterinarian of the city or district. If you are entering Belarus through the National Airport Minsk, you must contact the Smolevichi Border Control Veterinary Center for legal paperwork.

There are weight and size restrictions for puppies travelling in the cabin as hand luggage. The maximum weight of the puppy and its container should not exceed 8 kg, and the container size should not exceed 55x40x20 cm. A fee is charged for transporting a puppy in the cabin, which is typically around 50 EUR/60 USD/50 GBP. It is important to note that puppies are not allowed to be taken out of their containers on board the aircraft and must remain in their containers throughout the flight.

If your puppy weighs more than 8 kg, it will need to be transported in the baggage compartment as checked baggage. There are additional fees for this service, which depend on the weight of the puppy and its container. For example, the fee for a puppy weighing up to 8 kg is 130 EUR/160 USD/120 GBP, while the fee for a puppy weighing from 8 kg to 32 kg is 150 EUR/180 USD/130 GBP.

To ensure a smooth entry into Belarus, it is essential to have all the necessary documents and comply with the requirements set by the country.

Transporting your dog in the cabin

To transport your dog in the cabin when flying to Belarus, you must follow several steps and requirements. Firstly, it is important to note that the transportation of animals requires prior approval from the airline, which must be obtained no later than 48 hours before departure. The maximum weight of the dog, including its container, should not exceed 8 kg to be transported in the cabin as hand luggage. A fee of 50 EUR/60 USD/50 GBP will be charged for this service.

You can only carry one dog in the cabin, and it must be transported in a container (cage or soft carrier), excluding guide dogs for blind or deaf passengers. The weight of the dog and the container should not exceed 8 kg, and the container's size should not be larger than 55x40x20 cm. It is the owner's responsibility to ensure the dog is presented in the container at check-in and that all necessary documents are provided. The container must also pass through a safety check and be placed under the seat in front of the passenger.

It is prohibited to open the container, take the dog out, or feed the dog during the flight. Additionally, the number of animals allowed in the cabin per flight is limited and depends on the aircraft type.

For transportation on a separate passenger seat, the maximum weight of the dog and container should not exceed 23 kg, and the container size should not be larger than 55x40x40 cm. A separate ticket must be issued for this type of transportation, and it is essential to book this service in advance. The container must be rigid with a waterproof bottom and a metal locking door. It should be designed to be fixed in a passenger seat and reliably secured during the flight.

To avoid damaging the seat, an absorbent material should be placed on the floor of the container and the passenger seat. Only one animal is allowed per container and per separate passenger seat. The same restrictions on opening the container, taking the dog out, and feeding apply as for transportation in hand luggage.

Frequently asked questions