Shipping Pets

In order to obtain a license, the owner must apply with the appropriate Spanish municipal office off base.

To be eligible for a license, applicants must:

• Be 18 years old
• Have no criminal history
• Pass a physical and psychological exam
• Pay an application fee (currently 34 Euros)
• Obtain civil liability insurance in the amount of $120,000/203,000

Specific requirements for pets (defined as dogs and cats only) entering Spain include:

• Pets must be at least four months of age when entering Spain.
• Animals must be identifiable with a 15-digit microchip (ISO 11784/5). Tattoos are not a sufficient form of identification.
• All vaccinations must be given after the microchip has been implanted and should be given to your pet at least 30 days or more prior to moving.
• Each pet must have a certificate of health for the European Union, signed by any veterinarian accredited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, under the Veterinary National Accreditation Program. Once completed, the certificate must be endorsed by an official veterinarian employed by the Veterinary Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Veterinarians employed by the U.S. military are considered official veterinarians, and a certificate signed by a military veterinarian does not need APHIS endorsement.

The health certificate is valid for 10 days from the date of issue.

There is no quarantine requirement for entry into Spain.

Check with your local veterinarian and the veterinarian in the country you’re moving to prior to your arrival.

If your application is approved and you received a license there will be specific security measures that the owner of these dogs must take:

• You must carry your license with you if you are with your dog in public
• Your dog must be on a fixed leash no longer than 6.5 feet in public
• The dog must have a muzzle affixed to its mouth such that it cannot bite
• The owner can only be walking one such dog at a time
• A dog left outdoors, such as in a yard, must be secured such that they cannot escape into the public

Questions may be directed to the Staff Judge Advocate's Office at extension 3104 or the Security Department, Interpreter's section, at extension 3225 or 3246.

Shipping Pets to Spain

To ship pets to Spain through commercial carriers you will need a certificate stating that an animal is in good health and for dogs and cats, has been inoculated against rabies. Passengers with confirmed reservations should reconfirm with the airline three to four days prior to departure. This is very important since each airline can transport only a limited number of animals. Passengers should also check with the airline for proper importation and documentation requirements.

As soon you know you’re moving to Spain, start preparing your pet for entry requirements. Travel to Spain is primarily accomplished using commercial carriers including the weekly flight from Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia to Rota. Ensure your transportation office knows you’re shipping pets to Spain, so they may help make reservations with your airline for you or direct you to the place to make reservations. Airlines charge fees for shipping pets and this expense is not reimbursable. Additionally, know that several airlines impose pet embargoes and will not accept pets when temperature limits are exceeded during any part of your itinerary. Please work closely with your transportation office to avoid any problems while traveling with your pet. Ultimately, travel arrangements for your pet are your responsibility.

Most commercial airlines will not allow two animals to be shipped in the same container. Check with the airline you are booked on concerning its restrictions. The passenger is responsible for following all pet shipment procedures and paying appropriate fees established by the applicable commercial airline.

Delta and American Airlines normally allow two kennels as checked baggage. Both have pet embargos from May 15th - September 15th, but normally make exceptions for military traveling on orders. Weather restrictions still apply.

If the airline doesn't allow the pet as checked baggage but considers it as cargo, the pet will have to be picked up at the cargo terminal of the Madrid Airport. Before the pet is released to the owners it will have to be examined by the airport veterinarian. Veterinarian and import fees vary depending on the breed and weight of the animal. The total bill may be as expensive as 300 Euros.

Mark “LIVE ANIMAL” on the container, clearly indicating your name, address, destination and the animal’s name. Include your sponsor’s local phone number on the container and a note in English and Spanish stating whether or not the pet is friendly with strangers. Refer to the individual commercial carrier website and work directly with the airline to clarify flight eligibility requirements for your pet. The maximum weight accepted as excess baggage, container and pet weight combined, is 99 pounds for commercial airline flights and 150 pounds on the AMC Patriot Express flights. Once you arrive and settle in, you may begin planning some trips with your pet. Traveling with your pet within Spain and the rest of Europe, either by land, air or sea, requires a European Union Pet Passport. This travel document can be purchased at Rota VTF on base, or at any off-base Spanish veterinary clinic. Be sure to bring your pet passport to all of your veterinary appointments both on and off base in order to update the document at every visit.

Passengers with confirmed reservations should reconfirm with the airline three to four days prior to departure. This is very important since each airline can transport only a limited number of animals. Passengers should also check with the airline for proper importation and documentation requirements.

The most recent requirements for shipping pets to Spain can be obtained from the Spanish Embassy in Washington, DC.

The following addresses and telephone numbers have been provided for ease in locating the consulate nearest you with any additional questions.

Spanish Consulates in the United States

Consulate General of Spain in Boston
545 Boylston St., Suite 803
Boston, MA 02116
Tel: 617-536-2506
Fax: 617-536-8512

Consulate General of Spain in Houston
1800 Bering Dr., Suite 660
Houston, TX 77057
Tel: 713-783-6200
Fax: 713-783-6166

Consulate General of Spain in Miami
2655 Le Jeune Rd., Suite 203
Coral Gables, Fl 33134
Tel: 305-446-5511
Fax: 305-446-0585

Consulate General of Spain in New York
150 East 58th Street, 30th and 31st Floors
New York, NY 10155
Tel: 212-355-4080
Fax: 212-644-3751

Consulate General of Spain in Chicago
180 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1500
Chicago, IL 60601
Tel. 312-782-4588
Fax: 312-728-1635

Consulate General of Spain in Los Angeles
5055 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 960
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Tel: 323-938-0158
Fax: 323-938-2502

Consulate General of Spain in New Orleans
2102 World Trade Center
2 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
Tel: 504-525-4951
Fax: 504-525-4955

Consulate General of Spain in San Francisco
1405 Sutter St.
San Francisco, CA 94109
Tel: 415-922-2995
Fax: 415-931-9706

Consulate General of Spain in Washington D.C.
2375 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington D.C. 20037
Tel: 202-728-2330
Fax: 202-728-2302

Consulate General of Spain in Puerto Rico
Edificio Mercantil Plaza, 11th floor of 1101
Hato Rey, Puerto Rico 00919
Enviar correpsondencia a:
Apartado Postal 9243
Santurce, PR 00908
Tel: 787-758-6090
Fax: 787-758-6948

There is no quarantine in Spain.

Certain breeds of dogs are considered “dangerous animals” under Spanish Law 50/99. This label applies to all dogs of the breed, regardless of past behavior or temperament. Dangerous dogs in Spain include the following breeds and cross breeds: Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher, Argentino Dogo, Fila Brisileiro, Tosa Ina and Akita Inu. Any other dog that demonstrates an aggressive character, or has been involved in an attack against people or other animals and/or is designated as potentially dangerous by COMNAVACTS, his designee, or appropriate Spanish government officials, is also considered a “dangerous animal.” All members of the force or civilian component stationed in Spain who maintains a potentially dangerous animal, regardless of whether they live on or off base, must comply with Spanish registration procedures. The following rules summarize the Spanish law as it pertains to owners of dangerous animals:

All owners of potentially dangerous dogs must obtain a license for such an animal from the local city hall within 30 days of arriving in Spain. Failure to obtain a license within the time prescribed will result in the impoundment of the animal and its potential destruction. A license will be valid for a period of five years. Owners of potentially dangerous animals residing on base shall present a copy of their license to Security. In order to obtain a license, the applicant owner must complete the following requirements:

a. The applicant must be over 18-years-old.

b. The applicant must not have been convicted of a crime or have been administratively sanctioned for past violations mentioned in pertinent Spanish law.

c. Have the requisite physical strength to control the animal when walked; dangerous dogs must be leashed and muzzled at all times while in public.

d. Pass a psychological examination from a qualified provider (several civilian clinics in Rota provide this service).

e. Obtain civil liability insurance. Once registered, the owner will need to carry the animal’s identity card and registration documents on their person at all times when the pet is in public. Interpreters working in the Naval Station Rota Security Department can assist owners of dangerous animals with the registration process. Call 956-82-3225 or 956-82-3246 for assistance.

Pets require a health certificate issued not longer than 10 days prior to departure and a rabies inoculation certificate issued at least 30 days and not more than 12 months prior to departure. All animals are subject to examination by the Customs Veterinarian. Clearance of animals may be delayed after working hours and on weekends.