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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

There is no quarantine in Spain.

Members are strongly encouraged not to bring potentially dangerous breeds of dogs to Spain. A recent Spanish Royal Decree requires owners of dangerous dogs to acquire licenses for their animals. The process takes several weeks. It is expensive and tedious and includes stringent ownership and handling requirements to include muzzles, leashes, insurance, examination of the dog, and a mental examination of the owner. Once a license is obtained, it must be carried at all times and only the licensee may walk the leashed/muzzled animal. For more details please contact the Staff Judge Advocate's Office at DSN 727-3104.

Ownership of Potentially Dangerous Dog Breeds in Spain

Spanish law requires that the owners of potentially dangerous dog breeds obtain a license for that animal. Potentially dangerous dog breeds are:

• Pit Bull Terrier
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Rottweiler
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro
• Tosa Inu
• Akita Inu
• American Bully

For any large dog weighing more than 44 pounds with a square head, strong jaws, and a strong muscular back, you must obtain the license within 30 days of arrival or your animal will be impounded.

Pets younger than three months require a health certificate. Pets three months or older 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.