Dogrrific is starting a new series of articles about traveling with your dog abroad.
Covering everything from the pre-travel preparations, to veterinary requirements, travel documentation and dos and don’ts in the country of travel, the series is aimed at equipping you with all necessary information on taking your dog along on your holiday or business trip.
We start with “Traveling to France”. Your dog is very much a part of your family; you love it like a family member. So whenever you go for a vacation or a trip, it is natural that you wish to take your dog along.
If you are traveling within the US, then taking your dog along is relatively simple; you just need to find an airline that will accommodate your dog.
But if you intend on taking a vacation abroad, things might not be so easy. There are lots of formalities and documentation to be fulfilled.
Traveling with your dog to France though is likely to be much easier than traveling to other countries.
The French love pets and so France has some of the most relaxed rules in terms of bringing your dog into the country.
However, as with all international travel, there are of course certain rules that you will have to follow and requirements you will have to fulfill.
Requirements at Home in the US Your journey though is going to start from the US, so before you think about the requirements in France, you must get to know all the requirements for traveling abroad with your from the US.
Before you can travel with your dog to France, you will have to get travel clearance for your dog from the USDA.
This clearance can be received from a USDA veterinarian, who can also provide you with the necessary certified documents for entry into France.
When entering France, you will require a completely filled in and certified new EU Form 998 in both English and French.
Again, your USDA vet can supply you with this form. Just in case you are not completely sure about the entry requirements into France, the USDA vet can also provide you with the latest updates on rules and regulations.
The USDA also requires all pets traveling abroad to carry a microchip.
This microchip should either be standard ISO 11784 or annex A ISO standard 11785.
If you dog does not already have this microchip, your USDA vet can implant it for you when you take it for the pre-travel checkup.
You should ensure that your dog has had its rabies shots between one month and one year prior to the actual travel date.
You will also have to get a certificate from your USDA vet for the shots.
Before you fly, you will need from your vet a certificate that your dog is vermin and germ free and does not have any pet diseases.
Once you have all of this documentation, you will have to get it stamped from the USDA.
Your Dog on the Flight:
Not all airlines allow dogs and even lesser allow you to carry your pet with you into the passenger cabin.
Air France, KLM, and United are among the few that do allow dogs, both in the cargo and with you in the passenger cabin. However, you must check out the weight limit set by these airlines for your dog. Get your dog weighed and if it exceeds your airlines’ weight limit for cabin, you might have to put it in the cargo. Whether in the cargo or with you in the cabin, you must get a proper travel kennel for your dog.
Make sure the kennel is sturdy enough to keep your dog in, yet spacious enough to allow it free movement.
Never get a kennel with wheels as the airline would not allow you to take it on board.
Pre-Flight Checklist:
Before you take your dog on to that airplane, you must run through this checklist to ensure your dog is ready for those hours of isolation and confinement.
First and most important is to give your dog all the exercise it needs.
Certain airlines do allow pets some freedom if they are in the cabin with you. However, these do not always apply and also depend on the size of your dog.
Avoid feeding your pet either food or water at least up to eight hours before the flight.
By doing this, you can be sure your dog’s tummy is empty and it would not embarrass you on the flight by pooping anywhere.

What about Sedating My Dog?
Certain airlines might also require you to sedate your pet, though it is not entirely advisable, especially if your pet is going to travel in cargo.
Sedating a pet can adversely affect not only its mobility but also its ability to seek help if it feels uncomfortable or gets sick during the flight.
Sedation also affects your dog’s natural bodily functions and could cause it to ill-adjust to the changed climate when you land.
Regulations upon Landing French customs are generally very lenient when it comes to entry of pets.
They do not fuss too much about the documentation. However, to be on the safe side, keep all your pet’s medical and travel documentation at hand just in case they ask you for it.
Most French airports have scanners for ISO 11784 microchips, but only few are able to read the newer annex A standard ISO 11785 chips.
Just in case you are landing at an airport that cannot read your dog’s microchip, it is advisable to carry your own scanner so that your dog’s details are entered into the French Pet registration and tracking system.
Also provide your dog with an identification tag and have this tag entered into the tracking system. The tag will allow people to understand that your dog is just lost and not a stray.
Moving Around with your Dog in France:
Traveling around France with your dog is really simple; France allows you to travel with your dog in your car. However, when you are walking, you must always have your dog on a leash and carry with you poop bags to pick up after your dog.
While France does have a very relaxed attitude towards dogs relieving themselves on the pavements, you should always take care to clean up after your dog just to be on the safe side and act as a good traveler.
Almost all French restaurants and hotels allow dogs, though it is better to check with your selected one prior to traveling or at the time of booking.
Don’t forget to take your dog sightseeing, you might not be allowed to take your dog on the Eiffel Tower or the various museums in and around Paris in France or into the most famous gardens and public walks. However, your dog can really frolic around in the massive forested parks of “bois de Boulogne” and “bois de Vincennes”, both public parks that allow dogs to move freely without leashes.
The “Champs de Mars” behind the Eiffel Tower is also a beloved outing for dogs. If your dog has a preference for baked items, then do not forget to go shopping in the dog bakery – the “Mon Bon Chien" in the 15th Arrondissement (borough).
And if you just wish to take your dog sightseeing around Paris, hop on to any of the double-decker cruise buses that are constantly going around town; yes you can take your dog along for free. Just remember to teach your dog good manners as this is one area about which the French are a bit fussy.
Things to be remembered whether traveling: (France or elsewhere)
There are certain things you must always carry. Keep an ample supply of plastic poop bags so that you can clean up after your dog without running short.
Also keep two or three old blankets with you and spread them on the bed / carpet of the hotel you are putting up at so that your dog does not spoil things.
Carry a few pictures of your dog so that you can hand them over to the local Mairie (City Hall) in the unfortunate event of your dog getting lost.
Of course, Dogrrific members do not need to worry about carrying photographs. Yes, the Unique ID dog tag system that is an integral part of your Dogrrific membership works worldwide.
If you are wondering what the Unique ID dog tag system is, it is a special dog ID issued for free when you register with Dogrrific.com.
If your dog is lost while wearing the dog ID and is found by someone, the finder just needs to visit Dogrrific.com and enter the Unique Dog ID in the Lost Dog System and you will receive a message on your cell phone, and or email with the details of the finder.
So regardless of where you are and have lost your dog, the Unique ID dog tag will always lead you back to your dog without fail.
That’s just about all the requirements you should keep in mind when traveling with your dog from the US to France. Meet these and you and your dog can have a fun-filled, really enjoyable trip to France.