Exporting a pet (including cats and dogs) from Israel to virtually any country in the world is a complex matter that requires strict adherence to international health conditions.
The complexity arises because Israel isn’t a rabies-free country. As a result, moving a pet abroad requires meeting numerous demanding health and documentation requirements that focus heavily on rabies protection and confirmation.
The primary authority responsible for setting and enforcing pet export and import requirements, in most nations, is the Ministry of Agriculture. Before you begin planning, we strongly recommend reviewing the official websites of the relevant government ministries for your destination country to familiarize yourself with their specific import procedures.
Due to the mandatory waiting periods associated with the rabies antibody titer test (the gold standard for proving rabies immunity), early planning is absolutely essential.
For example, exporting a dog or cat to Europe takes about 3-4 months. On the other hand, the process to Australia takes about 6-7 months!
Therefore, we recommend starting the documentation and veterinary process as soon as you know your relocation dates to avoid costly flight delays or cancellations.
Since rabies is endemic in Israel (meaning the country is not considered rabies-free), the initial step for exporting your pet to any country in the world is simple: you must ensure your pet is fully compliant with the local Israeli animal health regulations.
The current Israeli law states that every dog must be identified by an electronic microchip that meets ISO standards (the international standard). Furthermore, every dog must have a valid rabies vaccination.
This means that if you are a dog owner, and you complied with the Israeli law, your dog already possesses the two most fundamental requirements for international travel: an ISO-standard microchip and a current rabies vaccine.
Unlike dogs, which are legally required to be registered and vaccinated in Israel, many cat owners, who keep their cats strictly indoors, often don’t microchip and vaccinate their cats.
If your cat has not yet received an ISO-standard microchip and a current rabies vaccination, this adds essential preparatory steps to the relocation timeline.
Therefore, the pet export process for cats can sometimes be slightly longer than for already compliant dogs, as you must first complete these foundational veterinary steps before you can proceed with the international paperwork and the time-sensitive rabies titer blood test. Starting these steps as early as possible is crucial to prevent unnecessary delays.
In recent years, social media has become the ultimate source for “real-world” travel experiences. When planning a pet’s export from Israel, it’s only natural to turn to online groups to find out what others are saying.
For those unfamiliar, online communities are powered by users who genuinely want to share their firsthand experiences and offer support. Within these groups, you can often find fantastic, primary information “from the field” which can help contextualize and simplify the dense legal documents you read on official government websites. Reading about someone’s experience flying their pet of a similar breed or to the same destination can provide peace of mind and help you ask the right questions.
While we highly recommend reading people’s opinions and engaging with the community to get a better idea of the process, it is absolutely vital to take this information with a large grain of salt:
In conclusion – use social media groups for support and general context, but never rely solely on peer experiences for your official pet export process. Always cross-reference advice with professional services or official government websites to ensure you meet all the mandatory requirements and avoid costly and stressful delays.
Choosing the right airline for your pet’s international flight is one of the most critical decisions you will make in the entire pet export process. While finding an airline that will fly your pet is not overly complicated, understanding the specific rules and limitations of each carrier is essential for avoiding last-minute issues.
Every airline operates under its own specific set of policies, which often override general regulations. Before booking your own ticket, you must verify these crucial details regarding your pet:
To minimize stress and risk, we strongly recommend prioritizing the following when selecting an airline and route:
Remember – your pet’s well-being relies on the logistics of the airline. We strongly recommend using professionals who can match your pet’s needs and the crate’s specifications to the few airlines truly equipped for safe international pet travel.
Your pet’s IATA flight crate is more than just a box for transport; for your pet, it must become a “second home” – a place of comfort, safety, and familiarity. This is the most crucial step you can take to ensure your pet has a calm and comfortable transition during international travel. Do not skip this step!
Your pet is about to spend several hours, or even a full day with connections, confined to their kennel. When pets are unfamiliar with their crate, the combination of confinement, loud airport noises, and separation from the owner can cause intense fear and panic, leading to serious distress and anxiety.
Our experience shows that the more accustomed your pet is to the flight crate, the easier and safer the entire move will be.
We recommend starting the kennel training process a few months in advance of your flight date. The goal is to get your pet to enter and rest in the crate freely and willingly.
When your pet feels confident entering their “new house” in your presence, they will feel secure doing so without you on the day of the flight.
It’s important to prepare for the logistics, especially if you have a large pet:
To make the ground journey easier, please note two important facts:
If you prefer to focus entirely on your own travel and minimize stress, we offer a dedicated ground transport service. We will manage the secure pickup of your pet and the flight crate from your location and deliver them directly to our representative at the cargo terminal, ensuring a smooth hand-off and eliminating your need to coordinate vehicle logistics.
Please note that our ground transport service is only for pets that are traveling as manifest cargo (unaccompanied freight).
The day of the flight is often accompanied by a mix of stress and excitement. It is completely natural to worry about your pet’s comfort and safety: Will they be okay during the journey? Will they receive food and water? Will they be checked on during a layover?
We are here to provide the certainty and professional care you need!
Our service is designed to manage every detail, ensuring your pet has the easiest transition possible, whether it’s a short 3-hour trip or a long 12-hour flight with connections.
Relocating your beloved pet is too important to risk delays or issues!
Nice to meet you, I’m Mattan Gal, the founder of Pets2Fly
For over a decade, I have lived and breathed the world of pet relocation. Over the past 10 years, I have successfully guided thousands of families to every possible destination, even during the most challenging global times - including the COVID-19 pandemic and periods of war.
For me, Pets2Fly is more than just a business; it's a mission. I know that your pet is an inseparable part of your family. That is why I am here to lead you hand-in-hand - handling everything from complex bureaucracy to the smallest logistical details. My goal is to give you total peace of mind and ensure your loved ones arrive at their new home safely and comfortably.
We would love to hear from you!
