Passport for pets - Budapest, Hungary (EU)
photo: flickrIf we would like to bring with ourselves our dog, cat or ferret when travelling (to Budapest, Hungary) a pet passport is required for our pet. The pet passport was introduced on 1 October 2004 for the travel of pets between the member states of the European Union, and the relevant provisions are set forth in decree number 998/2003/EC, included in detail in decree 147/2004. (X.1.) FVM
Contents of the pet passport
The pet passport is a document that needs to be obtained for the travel of pets - dogs, cats and ferrets - among the member states for non-commercial purposes or for entering them from a non-EU country into the territory of the EU.
The size of the passport is 100 x 152 mm, its cover is blue in colour, and it is issued in the official language (languages) of the issuing member state. The cover of the passport bears the number of the passport, the ISO code of the issuing member state and an individual number. The data set forth in the document also have to be indicated in the official language (languages) of the issuing member state.
The document specifies the animal's name, type, breed, gender, date of birth, as well as the colour and type of hair, moreover - at choice - also the official-sized photo of the animal. The pet passport also contains the name and address of the current and former owner.
Issue of the pet passport
Conditions for issuing the pet passport:
1. Immunisation (repeated, if necessary) against rabies,
2. Tattoo or microchip serving the identification of the pets,
3. Payment of the fees determined by the Hungarian Chamber of Veterinarians.
The passport has to be requested from the veterinarian who gives the immunisation against rabies.
Currently, animals are identified with tattooing or with an electronic identification system (microchip), but from 4 June 2011 on only microchips will be accepted as a method of pet identification.
Validity
The validity is adjusted to the validity period of the immunisation, and it must be obtained again after the expiry of the said period.
The document is accepted in all member states of the EU, but Sweden, Ireland, Great Britain and Malta require - in addition to the pet passport - blood test (anti-body assaying) and its certification. The certification of the blood test may only be carried out in laboratories approved in the EU. It is not necessary to repeat the blood test on an animal that is repeatedly immunised in certain periods following the blood test, whereby the immunisation rules required by the preparation laboratory are observed.
Consequences of violating the provisions
The owner of, or the person responsible for the pet must be able to present the passport to the authorities - non-EU citizens arriving from third countries must present a veterinary certificate for a single entry into the EU - verifying that the pet is in conformity with the requirements set. If the microchip is not in conformity with the 11784 ISO standard or the 11785 ISO standard, the owner of the dog or the cat must also provide for a tool required for reading the chip. However, the existence of the passport does not mean that the authorities may not examine the health status of the pet.
Should such examinations show that the pet is not in conformity with the specified requirements, the competent authorities decide - after consultation with the official veterinarian - in the following manner:
1. The pet is returned to its country of origin;
2. The pet is separated under official supervision, at the cost of the owner or the natural person responsible for the pet, for the period which is required for meeting the health requirements; or
3. As a final solution - without financial compensation - the pet is slaughtered if it cannot be returned or separated in quarantine.
If the permit to enter the territory of the EU is refused, the pets are placed under official supervision until they are returned to their country of origin or until any other public administrative decision.
Source: Magyarország.hu
Labels: Budapest, cat, dog, eu, European Union, ferret, Hungary, passport, pet
