PPPA April 2019
MEMBER CONTRIBUTION:
Portuguese Podengo Pequenos make great travelers
Tips and Considerations for traveling with your dog to Portugal!
By Margaret Boisture for the PPPA Newsletter (Pequenos in Print “PiP”)
1. Call the airline and make sure there is room in cabin.
2. Book your flight. Remember when picking out your seat that dogs are not allowed in the
bulk head, first class (most airlines) and in the exit rows. Do not put the dog in the
overhead compartment.
3. Call airline back and book pet’s travel – know weight of pet in carrier in Kilograms
(CONVERTER ON GOOGLE)
4. Book an appt with a USDA Veterinarian near you.
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/vet_accreditation/downloads/
nvap_coordinator.pdf
These are not the actual vets. These are the coordinators. Your vet might be USDA
accredited. Call and ask. If not call the coordinator and ask for recommendations.
5. Make sure your rabies isn’t about to expire. If your rabies has expired or if it was a new
vaccine (young dog) you have a waiting period. Make sure your travel and the rabies
waiting period don’t overlap. For example, a young puppy not yet given a rabies shot
would have a wait a certain amount of days but a dog who has had a CURRENT rabies
shot would have no need to. Talk to your USDA Vet.
6. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/take-pet-to-foreign-country for all the info
on traveling with your pet.
7. Mail your paperwork for approval to the USDA / APHIS office. Make sure you include a
return FEDEX / UPS from you to you. Signed exam forms, enclose the check and rabies
certificate. (did you make copies for yourself?)
8. If all goes well you should receive your paperwork back within a day.
9. Scan and send paperwork including rabies certificate to the Portuguese Government
via email or fax a week before you go or at least 48 hours. Include in the email your name,
and your flight information.
Lisbon vet at piflisboaa@dgav.pet
Lisboa Lisbon +351 218 492 434 +351 919 551 607 +351 218 479 335 +351 218 463
793 piflisboaa@dgav.pt
10. At airport you need an exam by the Portuguese Vet. Make sure you bring a way to
pay. I found the ATM in airport for Euros to be convenient and cost efficient. The Vet is
located after immigration and before customs at the Lisbon Airport.
11. Keep the paperwork with the dog while you travel. If you are attending a dog show, for
example, they will check your paperwork before you are allowed to bring the dog into the building.
What to Bring?
For airline travel I like to use the standard dog carrier. We’ve tried fancy ones with wheels but
ended out chasing a dog around the plane. After that “hilarious” incident I have gone back to using
the standard airline approved Sherpa. I double line the bottom with disposable pee pads just in
case we experience turbulence. Other than the loose dog (knock on wood) we’ve never had a sick
dog or a loud dog. My P3s love the adventure.
For the hotel I pack a small crate in my checked luggage. Depending on the dog I decide if I need
a wire crate or can a lighter weight fabric crate. I’ve used this one from Amazon successfully many
times but it is not escape proof. Thank you for proving that, Mr. Wiggles.
I always plan on stopping at the “Mercado” for dog food and treats. If your dog is on a strict diet you
might want to look at rules about bringing in food. I, personally, love going to the Mercado. Fresh
cheeses and butter, delicious bread, and wine usually end up in my cart along with the dog food.
Harness/collar and leash. I pack both a collar and a harness when traveling. I always have two
leashes.
Portable water and food bowls.
I also put some disposable pee pads in your carry on for the airports that do not have dog relief
areas. Long layovers can be tricky.
Copies of all your vet papers.
A few rolls of poop bags.
Children’s Dramamine.
Treats for the plane ride only.
Have dog will travel!! Have fun and enjoy!
This article is for entertainment purposes only.