Izmir AS  Moving

Anyone who owns a pet and has traveled overseas knows there are certain requirements that must be met to move the pet to another location. This includes immunizations and sometimes quarantines. You will need to take your pet to the Izmir Veterinary Customs Office and complete all the required shots to register a pet in Turkey. Turkey has added to the normal requirements with new ones for personnel wanting to take an animal out of Turkey. It is important to contact the 425 ABS Transportation Office for the latest requirements no later than 30 to 60 days before your PCS fly out date.

There are no pet quarantines in Turkey.

Pets must have veterinary health certificate, origin and vaccine documents to include identification card/chip, if any. Entry of pets (accompanied by the passenger) is authorized. A combined certificate of health and rabies vaccination is required. No pet care is provided at the airports/entry points; therefore, shipping pets through cargo is not advised. If your pet is lighter than 6 kilograms (about 13 pounds) they will be accepted in the cabin with their own carriers. Pets more than 6kg (13lbs) will be taken to the cargo section again with their own carriers. Remember to put enough water and food into the carrier as airline staff won't provide those. If your pets require any type of medication be sure to get it, and have the written veterinarian prescription with you to show proof.

Again, these requirements can change, so it is important to ensure you get the correct, updated information from your transportation management office and the airline carrier. You will incur the travel cost for your pet, so be sure to get informed before you lock in your flight arrangements, and to also find out if your pet can fly out on the same dates you do. 

There are a few good veterinary services/pet boarding/kennels available on the local economy in and around the Izmir City. Be sure to notify your sponsor prior if you plan to bring your pet and request to have your lodging reservations at the Swiss Hotel. They are the only contracted hotel that accepts pets.

There are English speaking veterinarians in the city of Izmir and outside of Izmir. So don't be intimidated to bring your family pet, just be sure to speak with your sponsor ahead of time to get all the proper updated information about bringing your family pet to Turkey.

• Remember, you will be living in an urban area with some what limited space (apartment living) for animals to run and play. But there are parks and areas to take them out for exercise walking and play time. Your family pet that you bring should be accustomed to apartment life or indoor living.
• Some landlords do not allow pets, so be sure to tell your sponsor ahead of time that you need an apartment that accepts pets.
• There is no licensing requirement for pets in Izmir so be sure you have your pet microchipped prior to coming. You can also get your pet microchipped here at a local veterinarian office.
• There are many street dogs and cats which are tagged but no one knows for certain when the last vaccines were done. You will encounter many street dogs and cats while you walk your pet outside. For the most part they are friendly, just be careful.
• While taking family pets out of Turkey, a veterinary health certificate must be certified by Customs Veterinarian office within 48 hours prior to departure.
• Check with your local traffic management office for information on the shipment of family pets to Izmir.