Dear .................................

I refer to your enquiry regarding the importation of a pet dog/cat from into Ireland. An import licence has to be applied for and granted by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. There are now 2 options available:

Under the Importation of Dogs and Cats Order, 1929 - 1970, all dogs and cats from places abroad (other than Great Britain, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) must undergo a period of at least six months detention and isolation in approved quarantine premises on arrival here and be subject to one anti-rabies vaccination during quarantine. There are no derogation’s from the six month quarantine period for any animal regardless of the conditions under which the animal has been kept. There is only one approved public quarantine premises and these are: Lissenhall Quarantine Kennels and Catteries, Lissenhall, Swords, Co Dublin, Telephone (353 - 1 - 8900375). Fax: (353 -1 - 8409338). Details of the costs and other arrangements can be obtained from them.

A modified form of private quarantine is available in certain cases depending on country of origin. Provided that the animal(s) has been vaccinated against rabies and has a current rabies vaccination certificate, a minimum of one months quarantine in the public quarantine at Lissenhall followed by five months quarantine at the owners existing permanent residence, (if suitable) would be considered, providing that, on post import blood testing in public quarantine, adequate neutralising antibody titres are established.

Following the completion of the mandatory minimum quarantine in the public quarantine facility with the above satisfactory results, the animal would undergo a period of 5 months private quarantine at the owner’s home in Ireland, subject to the approval of site / location and plans in advance of importation. Prior to approval, plans for such a quarantine must be submitted to the Department for examination. These plans must be drawn up to scale and signed by a suitably qualified person and submitted with an overall site plan, again to scale.

Permission to transfer your animal to a quarantine at the owner’s home in Ireland would be subject to the construction to this Department’s specifications, of an

approved facility for the animal in question. The premises and facility would require pre-use inspection and approval by the Department’s Veterinary Inspectorate. The

facility must be escape proof and constructed so as to prevent access by wildlife and birds . Inspection by a nominated private veterinary surgeon during the period of home quarantine in accordance with the conditions laid down, will also be a mandatory requirement.

Should it be found that the owner is not complying with the conditions under which the private quarantine is permitted, the Department reserves the right to have the animal removed to the public quarantine facility at Lissenhall, Swords, Co Dublin to complete the remainder of the six months quarantine period at the owners expense.

For an application under this special category to be considered, this Department will require details of proposed site / location for the Private Quarantine at least 3 months in advance of proposed importation. These will have to be checked by the Department initially regarding their suitability. If found suitable then detailed plans for such quarantine must be submitted for examination as specified.

Transportation from the airport to the Public Quarantine and if appropriate the Public Quarantine to the Private Quarantine is to be undertaken by the sole authorised carrying agent, viz: Irish Rail, (Road Freight Section) 48 North Wall Quay, Dublin 1 Telephone; (353 - 1 - 7034262, 7034307) Fax; (353 - 1 - 7034391). This arrangement is to be undertaken by the owner.

Therefore to advance your application, please complete the attached Application for licence (Form PQA) together with a Form of Declaration and Health (Form PQB) which has been completed as appropriate by a Magistrate / Notary Public / Commissioner for Oaths and a Veterinarian, and return the forms to:

1. It is advisable to make quarantine and transport arrangements at least 3 months before the proposed importation date. Please note that the import licence cannot be granted until an assurance in writing is received in this Department from both:

a) the Veterinary Surgeon in Charge of the Public Quarantine premises and b) Irish Rail

that the necessary arrangements have been made by the importer,

and

in the case of Private Quarantine that the site, plans and location have been approved by this Department.

2. Detailed conditions for Private Quarantine are available where a request for same is specified on the accompanying application form.

3. The Department will then issue the licence.

4. It is an essential condition of import that the import licence must accompany the animal in transit. Accordingly NO arrangements should be made to send the animal to this country until the import licence has been obtained, as landing without it is not permitted. The licence must be presented to the appropriate officer of Customs and Excise at Airport of landing.

5. Animals must be consigned by air as Manifested Freight for entry at one of the designated airports below, viz:

Dublin Airport, Cork Airport, Shannon Airport

6. On receipt of the licence the owner of the animal should notify Irish Rail of the time of arrival of the animal at Dublin Airport, in order to co-ordinate the arrangements for the direct transfer of the animal in a nose and paw proof container by Irish Rail to Lissenhall.

7. In the case of Private Quarantine, one of the conditions of the release of the animal from Lissenhall to the approved Private Quarantine Premises will require confirmation by Irish Rail to this Department that your booking has been accepted. This booking is to be made by the applicant..

8. The owner shall supply the Public Quarantine with an address to which communications about the animal can be directed while it is undergoing detention..

9. The quarantine and vaccination fees are matters for settlement between the owner of the animal and the veterinary surgeon in charge of Lissenhall, as are all queries with regard to quarantine costs, visits and arrangements.

10. The Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development will not be

responsible for any expenses incurred in connection with the landing,

transport or detention of the animal or for any injury to or illness which may

befall the animal. The Dept is also not liable for costs incurred in

construction of quarantine premises.

11 The Department reserves the right to extend the period of detention of the animal in quarantine. An outbreak or suspected outbreak of serious animal disease in the quarantine premises may also necessitate the prolongation of the quarantine period.

12. Quarantine accommodation is reserved solely for animals, the property of persons taking up permanent residence in this country.

I trust that this clarifies the situation for you.

Yours sincerely

Animal Health & Welfare Division