Thanks!

I moved to France in 2004 with my cat and thought I would give you a summary of my experience. I hope the information proves helpful.

1. Health Certificates: I downloaded an application from the French Dept. of Agriculture web site (I had the option of a French or English version and it was like 4 pages long). I filled it out and then had my vet sign and date it. That is item number 1 on your list.

Item 2 will be the USDA certificate (a carbon copy document with their stamp and seal and then room for your vet's stamp and seal).

Item 3 is the International Health Certificate (most likely available at your vet's office) signed by your vet (this is what the airlines require at the gate).

2. What authority/What permission do you need: **You do not have to go through the FDA, but rather the USDA. They have to sign off on your cats' health certificates so that you will be allowed to fly to France with your pet. The USDA is the authority you must please in order to travel with your pets outside the U.S. It is their stamp of approval that you ultimately need before leaving the country.

3. Timing?

**The USDA is asking for three things in order to sign-off on your pet : proof of either an ID tatoo or electronic chip, proof of a valid rabies vaccination given at least 3 months prior to travel, and a titer (blood draw) proving the approved level of the rabies vaccine in your pet's system.

4. Stamps/Seals - Where? How? In person?

Yes, you can go to the USDA office in person, BUT YOU MUST MAKE AN APPOINTMENT!! I got extremely lucky the day I went - without an appointment - because there must be a veterinarian present at the USDA office when you go in order to get the USDA's approval. I ended up going in person, taking my cat's entire life's worth of documents, and spent all of 10 minutes at the USDA office where they filled out their own certificate upon examining and verifying all my cat's relative documents. Here's their office and phone number :

5. Transporting the Cats: How did you get through security? Did you have to take the cat out of his carrier?

**I showed my paperwork to the United Airlines travel agent at their check-in counter (where you check-in bags and get your boarding pass), and then I paid my cat's way right there with a credit card ($127 one way!). At the security check, I believe I put my cat carrier with cat through the scanner along with my purse, and no one ever asked me to take him out of the carrier.

6. How to transport (what pet carrier?) / tranquilizers necessary?

**My cat is the kind of cat who hates being confined, so I was worried about him making the long flight. I bought a Sherpa bag (approved by major airlines) which fits under your seat. They have a lining in them, made expressly for potential accidents during the flight. My cat did not go to the bathroom at all during the entire trip (including transit to and from airports), and I believe that is just the way cats are unless they are sick or old or something like that. I packed treats and some of his food in a plastic baggy in the pouch on the back of the carrier, and during the flight I would stick my hand in and hand-feed him here and there. I didn't think he'd eat due to travel anxiety, but on the contrary, he scarfed down all that I held before him with gusto!

**About tranquilizers, I would have to with my vet that they are not necessary. I think that tranquilizers are for very particular kinds of animals, not your average house cat like mine. You can find an herbal relaxant at natural food stores that has no chemicals and therefore no side effects.

7. Entry into France:

**This is the funniest part. So after you go through the whole ardous paperwork process in the U.S., you'd expect a very official reception at the French border. Au contraire! I had to point out to the customs officer at passport control in Paris that I had a cat in a bag strapped over my shoulder. Then, trying to do the right thing, I started pulling out his rather thick "dossier" and the customs officer simply said "Non, non, c'est bon. Vous pouvez passer" AND THAT WAS IT!!! So, let me reiterate that all the hoops you jump through before going are really more for the American officials and for your out-bound customs control, and NOT at all for your entry into France. I was actually a little let-down by the French's nonchalence after having spent so much time, energy and money to get all my stamps and signatures. Aferall, I always thought it was the French who loved paperwork above all other cultures, and now that theory has been checked, at least as far as pets go. It seems we Americans love our paperwork too!

Hope that helps. Take care and good luck!

-Leah

http://www.douane.gouv.fr/finc.asp?page=particulier/d2218.htm&cusnum=970

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