Importing puppy from Australia into Latvia (EU)

[Irena]

I just faced a problem while trying to figure out what the import regulations from Australia into Latvia were. I am planning (hoping!) to import a puppy from Tasmania, and someone suggested I look in the ANIMEX database (Australia). I did, and it said that among other things, a 21 days PRE-export quarantine is required to send a pup from Australia to Latvia (EU). I called our Food and Veterinary Dept. and they said nothing but a vet. certificate, a rabies shot and a 30 days waiting period after the shot was required.

The Australian ANIMEX database on import regulations from Aussie to other countries is here - www.aqis.gov.au/animex/asp/search.asp

The transport companies on that end do seem to rely on this information seriously (even though it says "The information provided in this database is intended for use as guidance only and should not be taken as definitive or exhaustive"), so please do not despair before you have contacted the authorities on your end and found out exactly what the requirements are. I will keep everyone updated on how it goes in our case, some say we may need to send a letter to AQIS (Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service).

I'd be happy to listen to everyone else's thoughts on this.

[Irena]

Boy do these regulations seem to change all the time.

Anyway, as of today (23 Feb 2005), it seems to be:

identification (chip or tatoo)
rabies vaccination
veter. certificate
a minimum of 21 days waiting period after the vaccination (they JUST changed that, it used to be 30 days)

The pup (in case of a pup) does not have to be of any particular age when vaccinated, so it seems like it could theoretically be vaccinated earlier than at 3 months/12 weeks.

Don't have any links regarding this yet, so please don't take this as decisive.

[marjolein]

You cannot give them the rabies jab before they're 12 weeks old. That's what the information leaflet says.