Jaqueline S. Says:
I love the idea of retiring to a little cottage somewhere in Ireland with my dogs. How hard would it be to bring them with me from the U.S.?
IL Executive Editor Jennifer Stevens Says:
Hi Jaqueline,
Ireland is a great choice for a retirement destination. It’s a place I love to visit and spend time. The country really does looks as probably imagine. It comes complete with a storybook landscape of castles, sheer cliffs, and swans gliding across looking-glass lakes. You’ll find old-fashioned horse fairs, cozy pubs where fiddle music rings out into the night, and seaside towns with houses painted every shade of the paint-box.
When it comes to taking your pets with you, there are a few things to consider.
The importation of pets into Ireland is strictly controlled to ensure that diseases such as rabies are not introduced.
If you are traveling to Ireland from outside the EU (which, coming from the States you will be), you must tell the Irish port or airport authorities at least 24 hours before your arrival, but ideally in the week or so before travel. You must only enter Ireland at the following ports and airports. Advance notice should be emailed to:
- Dublin Airport– petmove@agriculture.gov.ie
- Dublin Port– petmove@agriculture.gov.ie
- Shannon Airport– PetsShannon@agriculture.gov.ie
- Cork Airport– corkpetmove@agriculture.gov.ie
- Ringaskiddy Port, Cork– corkpetmove@agriculture.gov.ie
- Rosslare Europort– europort@agriculture.gov.ie
Several requirements need to be met before you can bring a pet into Ireland. In the following order they will have to be:
- Micro-chipped (this must be done before anything else).
- Vaccinated for rabies.
- Given a blood test called a Rabies serological test.( This is typically done around 30 days after the rabies vaccine and requires another 2- 4-week wait-period after for results.)
- Treated for tapeworm.
- Issued a Veterinary Certificate by the competent authority in the country of origin.
It’s a lot to keep track of, and it is up to you, the pet owner, to make the necessary arrangements for your furry, four-legged friend. But you’ll find it all worthwhile when you’re sitting in your Irish cottage watching your dogs play in the fields outside.
You can find more information on the Irish Citizens’ Information website here. Also, pet-relocation specialists—yes, it’s a thing—can help you sort through and manage this process.
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