Flying a cat to Switzerland

Family, Education, Health and Pets
1
Hi all,

I just want to see if any once has any experience with flying a cat (or a dog for that matter) from Ireland to Switzerland? I see Swiss allow this but I wanted to know if there are any special permits etc required? Cat has all the required vaccinations etc.

Thanks for your help.

2
Does the cat have a PET Passport? Has it had cosmetic alterations like it's ears or tail clipped? Has it been chipped. You will also need to register the cat at the local Gemeinde and pay your tax on it.

3
Hi,

Not sure about flying from Ireland, we flew our cats over from Manchester and they had to fly in the cargo, not to be recommended tbh, took me two hours to retrieve them at Zurich cargo and by then we were all stressed.

I flew a cat from Heathrow to Zurich two years bk, totally different experience, cat flew in the cabin and was very chilled. As far as requirements for travel, pet passport,rabies vaccination and microchip, rabies vaccination must be done 21 days before flight. The cat will also need a fit to fly check up at the vets no more than 48 hours prior to flying, 24 is preferable.

Alternatively you could use a courier, these guys are brilliant and I personally recommend them http://www.animalcouriers.com/ . Door to door collection and delivery. When you add up all the costs I think they are very cost effective.

Good luck!!

Darcy

4
You don't have to register a cat.

The cat will need a microchip, a pet passport and a rabies vaccine before coming here.

The details can be found here.

http://www.blv.admin.ch/themen/04670..._JjKbNoKSn6A--

5
Since when do you not have to register an animal here?

6
Hi,

My cats were registered as far as having their passports stamped on arrival and paying customs tax for them.

Also they were registered at the vets for vaccs etc.

Darcy

7
You have to register dogs at the commune/gemeinde but you definitely don't have to register cats, rabbits guinea pigs etc. You may choose to register their microchip on the anis database but it's not obligatory, the vet will usually do it when you go for the first visit in any case.

Not sure what the procedure is for reptiles but since the OP was asking about cats that's irrelevant anyway.

8
Thanks for all your replies...

He has passport and microchip, and rabies vaccine... is not clipped but has been snipped! Not sure what the ear clipping thing is anyway??

I will look into the courier option as having him sitting around in a cargo area for hours does not sound like fun for the poor thing! Plus he is about 11kgs so carry on is not an option I think (I know, Switz diet will start soon!)

9
lol big kitty then! the couriers are great,just looked at their time table and they are planning a trip in June 16/17th June, might be worth asking for a quote? I wish you a safe move with him and hope you are settling in well here, Kussnacht am Rigi is a really pretty little place!

Darcy

10
So sounds like no special registration, only a custom check on arrival... had the same in France a few years ago... and actually it used by a lot trickier when going from Europe to UK or Ireland, at we were considered rabies free and not continental Europe... seems to be a lot easier in both directions now.

Thanks again and hopefully all will go well with his travels!!

@Belgianmum - no plans for bringing in reptiles yet but thanks anyway!

11
Dear Darcy,

Thanks very much for that. I will get in touch with them as the timing would be perfect. Fingers cross that they will pick up in Ireland!

Damon

12
Ear clipping and tail docking are both more of a dog thing.

Ears on boxers for example were clipped to make them stick up, rather than flopping downwards as they would natually. Same for tail docking, boxers have long solid tails, they were traiionally shortened to a stump when they were used as hunting dogs (as well as baiting animals, gave the prey one thing less to grab hold of).

Both procedures are now banned in Europe and you'd have trouble importing a dog that had had either of those procedures.

13
Hope it works out, let us know how you get along, would love to see pics of kitty once they have settled in.

Darcy

14
We needed a letter from the vet who had amputated daughter's dog's tail, when it got stuck in a door and broke, and would not heal. It is clear by looking a the dog that it was not done for costmetic/breed reason- as it is about half way, rather than shorter for above. The letter had to state exact reasons, dates, age of dog at time of op, etc. I am very glad the Swiss are very strict about tail docking and ear clipping- as well as de-clawing for cats.

15
Have you considered bringing her by car? It may not be feasible for you, but would probably be less stressful for the cat - so long as you have a comfortable sized crate for her.

16
Which is what we did- got a large wire crate so she could have a litter tray, water and food, and could see out and breathe properly (cat crate to go to vet is just too cramped) and via Tunnel so she and dog could stay with us in the car. Then stopped at a little Hotel in Calais which allows pets in the room for a night break (Hôtel de la Plage- very reasonable and good food). Much much less hassle- and then we could import our car as part of our move too.

17
Maybe ask this guy, he seems to have a lot of experiance flying cats.

18
For a small fee, I will let your cat borrow my cape.

19
Cats or rabbits, never.

Tom

20
I'm planning on flying my cat in within a couple of weeks, so I'm reviving this thread. Has anyone got any new information so far?

I'm all up to date on paperwork and such (or I hope so), but the actual airport part is still a bit murky to me. I know that when I arrive in Zürich I must take it to the "goods to declare" part. Since I will be coming from an EU country, I only need a paperwork check and not a full vet check, but does that mean I still have to pay a fee? (I read 80 CHF somewhere)

What about the security checks before boarding, does the cat in the carrier go through the x-ray like the rest of the carry-on luggage (doesn't seem too healthy to me...) or do I pass it through the metal detector only?