An animal lover understands that one of their most precious possessions is their pet.
If you are relocating to Argentina, you must dedicate some time and attention to make the transport of your pet a smooth experience for both of you.
The good news about bringing your pet to Argentina is that Argentines love pets. There is also no quarantine for cats or dogs - provided you have proper documentation. Most flights to Buenos Aires depart the United States late in the evening for an early morning arrival, which is an ideal time as your pet is hopefully accustomed to sleep through the night.
One Month Before Bringing Your Pet to Argentina
All pets over 3 months of age will need to have an original rabies certificate. The rabies vaccination must have occurred at least 30 days prior to departure, but not more than 360 days before departure.
You will need to make an appointment with a veterinarian licensed to provide an APHIS-7001 International Health Certificate. This certificate must be issued within 10 days of the flight. Note that not all veterinarians have this license.
If you intend to have your pet fly on the same airline or flight, you will need to ensure that your airline is willing to transport animals. You will need to make a reservation for your pet at the same time as your reservation as airlines limit the number of pets they will transport on a flight. If you intend on booking your flight through the internet in order to get a better fare, it may be advisable before you book the fare to call the airline and enquire about that flight, and then book the flight over the internet and then call the airline immediately after. It may require a few more steps, but it may save you some money.
If your animal is small enough to fit under your seat, some airlines will allow your pet to accompany you in the main cabin provided they remain in a kennel specifically designed for air travel. If your pet is too large to fit under your seat, your pet will be required to travel as cargo.
You can purchase a kennel from a discount retailer such as Wal-Mart or pay top-dollar and buy one from your veterinarian or at a pet store. You must ensure that the kennel is specifically designed for airline transport and meets APHIS/IATA standards. The kennel must be suitable for the size of your pet. Your pet must be able to sit freely and stand with its head erect, turn around, and lie down in a normal posture.
Some kennels are designed with a food and water bowl which can be accessed without opening the kennel door. It is extremely important that your pet has a supply of water during their long flight.
One Week Before Bringing Your Pet to Argentina
At least one week before your departure, allow your pet to become comfortable with their kennel. Place the kennel in a convenient location and place an article of clothing inside that has your scent such as an old T-shirt or towel.
Before Your Flight
It is NOT advisable to give your pet a prescription sedative. In fact, most airlines will deny boarding if a pet is sedated. There are natural relaxing agents that you can purchase from your pet store.
Bringing Your Pet to Argentina: The Challenges
The challenge in bringing your pet into Argentina is that you will need to speak Spanish fluently to communicate with customs agents and fill out paperwork.
Your first visit will be to the airline business office that transported your pet. From there, you will be sent to the Senasa office of Animal Health and Welfare which reviews and certifies the health of your pet. You will then be sent to the cargo office and then finally the customs office. You will need cash to pay fees at each location. Additionally, bear in mind that work comes to a screeching halt during lunch and offices will close, generally, between 1:00 and 2:00 p.m.
If you have the money and not the time, language skills or patience, you may wish to hire a pet relocation specialist, such as PetRelocation.com, which can process import documentation and customs clearance and deliver your pet to your residence.
At the end of a long journey, the last thing you may want to do is spend an additional few hours filling out forms and clearing your pet through customs.
Most animal lovers could not imagine relocating without their pets and will need to endure the cost and challenges of bringing a pet into Argentina.
Brian Berenty - Not all who wander are lost.
