Getting an EU Pet Passport
Step 1: Micro-chip
As a first step your guide dog or assistance dog must be micro-chipped to provide identification. Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind ensures guide dogs and assistance dogs are micro chipped when they are in training.
Step 2: Application form
Your vet should complete the passport application form and return the form to the issuing authority. The form can be downloaded from the Department of Agriculture website: www.agriculture.gov.ie
Step 3: Rabies vaccination
Your vet should then vaccinate your guide dog or assistance dog against rabies.
Step 4: Blood test
Once sufficient time has elapsed following vaccination (usually about a month but your vet will advise) your vet should do a blood test to confirm a sufficiently high level of rabies anti-bodies. If your guide dog or assistance dog fails this blood test, your vet will have to revaccinate and test again. This blood test is a requirement for re-entry into Ireland.
Step 5: Receipt of Pet Passport
Your guide dog’s or assistance dog's passport, with certain details completed, will be sent out directly to your vet. When it is received your vet can then enter the details of the rabies vaccination and the blood-test results.
Step 6: Time limit
Six months must have elapsed after the date of the blood test before you travel in to Ireland. It is the responsibility of the guide dog owner or assistance dog owner to ensure the rabies vaccination is re-administered before the current one expires i.e. there should be no break in vaccination.
