Rabies Serum Titer test for US import of cat

suzi

Hi all, I know that pet transport is a very old and played subject in this forum and I hate to add yet another thread but I just can't seem to get a definitive answer. Here's the situation: my husband and I adopted 2 kittens from a shelter here in Bangalore over a year ago and intend on bring them home with us to the United States in July (Illinois, more specifically). There are no requirements to bring the pet into the US as far as I can tell (not even proof of rabies vaccination which I find shocking). However, we will be changing planes in Frankfurt, Germany. The EU does have strict requirements for importing pets in to EU and one of those requirements includes a rabies serum titer test (for pets coming from India at least). However, we are not actually entering the EU since we are never even leaving the airport. Does anyone know if we need to get the test done. This would not be a big deal except that the test has to be performed in an EU approved laboratory and there are none in India so we would have to either send or carry the serum out of the country (probably to Europe) to get the test done.

Has anyone reading this either imported their Indian pet to the US or know someone who has so that I can get a firsthand or at least a second hand answer? I have spoken to my vet here in Bangalore and he said that he knows some Americans who have had the test done and others that haven't and had no troubles... I', just looking for some answers. Thanks.

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I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because, uhmmm, some people out there in our nation don’t have maps

birds

Hi Suzi,

Nice of you to take the cats with you .

As far as I know you do not need these documents if you are only in transit because officially the animals will be in the quarantine area of the airport during the transit period. But I suggest you check with the airline to be sure.

We use a laboratory in Pune to ship dogs to Europe and their certificate is accepted. I can get the details of this laboratory from our vet if you like.

If you want to get the test done you better get started because the whole process can take about 3 to 4 months.

You could also contact: www.stichtingaai.nl as they bring stray animals to Europe, including Germany. It may be good to have them on standby in any case. Ask to talk to Marion.

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Of the estimated 500 million dogs in the world, approximately 75% are strays, of which about 25 million live in India.