Animalcouriers are leaving Athens with three dogs who are bound for the UK. All three dogs are owned by Athenian residents who have relocated to the UK for work, and are travelling on TRACES (Trade Control and Expert System) health certificates. Theoretically, the dogs don’t need these health certificates but there seems to be some confusion in Greece on this matter.
To give some background: there has been correspondence between Animalcouriers and Eurogroup for Animals (the leading voice for animal welfare at European Union level), and between that group and the European Commission on our behalf. Between us we have tried to clear a path with the Greek authorities.
In terms of what we are talking about, there are essentially two categories of pet travel. The European Commission clarifies those two categories as follows:
“If the dog follows the owner in its way back from Greece to the UK, Greece cannot ask more than the requirements laid down in Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 and they should even not require to see the dogs.
If the dogs (not yet owned, or owned but the owner is not moving with his dog) are moving by a transport company from Greece to the UK, the animals have to comply with the requirements of Directive 92/65/EEC (come from registered holdings/businesses, TRACES certificate and notification to the MS
[member state] of destination).”Therefore, all depends on the kind of movement we are talking about. All the dogs travelling with us today fall into the first category, so all we should need for each dog is:
- A pet passport
- A declaration from the owner giving Animalcouriers permission to transport their dog for them to their new address in the UK
Instead, in addition to the above, the general requirements for TRACES have had to be met, and more additional paperwork provided for each dog:
- Evidence that it has been neutered
- Proof of ownership, an adoption paper from the Greek municipality they lived in
- Proof that the owners are who they are who they say they are, and of where they are living in the UK
This is making it very difficult for people who want to relocate from Greece to take their pets with them. We hope that over time it will become easier for people to travel with their pets.
What we are experiencing seems to be contrary to the founding principles of free movement of people and goods across Europe — almost a matter of human rights.
These draconian measures layered into obtaining permission to take owned pets that are following their families have prevented four dogs from travelling with us this month as their owner’s vets did not know where to start in providing advice. Thee three dogs travelling with us today come from Athens, where we were able to find an official vet who could help and process the unnecessary paperwork!
The situation is causing considerable worry as we correspond with clients who are relocating with their pets from Greece to the UK and are wondering how they will do it.
I hope the animal owners comply and all things go well.
Lisa has such a sweet face.
It’s getting the local vets to understand the new regulations that will be the hardest part. Once they are on board, things should be a little easier.
The Greek bureaucracy is not exactly known for it’s efficiency. I would become an animal smuggler to get Eko out, but hopefully it doesn’t come to that for these guys!
We certainly hope things can be simplified and are on the case. So frustrating for everyone.
I hope so, it should be easier for people to travel with their pets. But always when we think it goes a little better, there is someone who puts a spoke in the wheel. Good luck for Lisa and her two travel passengers :o)
It certainly should be easier, Easy! As you can imagine there’s much grinding of teeth 😉
Reading the blog it sounds like your having a tough time of it, I hope you manage to resolve all your issues and get your precious cargos home. Obviously, it’s all a real worry for us too, I’d like to have a chat with you when you do get back and discuss what we can do to prepare ourselves at this end. We have a great relationship with our Skiathos vet, so hopefully we can sort things out here in advance.
If you wouldn’t mind dropping me a quick email when you’re back in the office, then I can give you a call.
Best of luck with your onward journey!
Best of luck to you with your move! You found the best company to work with 🙂
Thank you, when i started researching pet transport companies, Animal Couriers came way out on top. This blog straight away gave me the impression that the couriers are passionate about what they do & are dedicated to the well being of their ‘passengers’. They offer a personal service, rather than just a pet taxi! It will be a comfort to know they are in good hands! 🙂
Ahhh ..bureaucracy can drive you crazy.
It can, it can!
You have to wonder what the basis of all the red tape is. How much is legitimate, how much is politics in relationship to what is happening between Greece and the European Union (government workers in Greece seemed to be an angry bunch last time I was there), and how much relates to plain old-fashioned bureaucracy and make-work. The one thing that is clear: pets and their owners are the losers. –Curt
Heaven knows what is causing this kerfuffle. Jobs have been cut to the bone so you would expect them to be trying to minimise work for the rest. We do find ourselves often having to ‘go figure’ 😉
(EN)When you meet a different mindset, if you want to reach the goal, change your mind, not theirs. Good luck!!!
(IT)Quando incontri una differente mentalità,se vuoi arrivare alla meta, cambia la tua mente,non la loro. In bocca al lupo!!!
Thank you! That’s exactly what we have to do each time they move the goalposts. There is always a way.
🙂
Can’t like the post out of irritation! Sorry you have to go through all the hoops when they said there were only a few. This is another reason your service is so valuable – most people wouldn’t have a clue where to start, whereas you are old hands at it!
Thanks for your kind words Spiders. It is very frustrating when goal posts are moved. We hope to prevail in the end but in the meantime it is Greek pet owners and their pets who are suffering 🙁
Hard work.
Hard and unnecessary.
Goodness me just as we were talking of this yesterday I see how the wheels stop turning….beyond hard!! hugs Fozziemum xx
Groan!
Urgggggg ;0
Sending great, good wishes that it all straightens out soonest!
Thanks Gunta, we need them!
How frustrating! Good grief!
Good grief indeed. Groan.
So typical of the government to make simple things difficult. I hope it gets sorted out quick!
We’ve experienced the same problems in Cyprus but feel the Greek issue should be more easily resolved.
So much for computers making paper unnecessary! Apparently they did not get the memo!!! LOL…
So much paperwork; you are amazing to keep all this straight!
Sherri-Ellen & Nylablue xoxo
Trying to keep up with the needless change and bureaucracy does our heads in!
Sounds like such a headache for you, hope they figure out an easier and consistent system
Darn that unnecessary paperwork! May it all go well. Blessings, Gina
Thanks Gina, still working on that one!