Emergency Evacuation Planning
Emergency Evacuation Planning
In the event foreign citizens are forced to evacuate Israel, I suggest planning ahead, to avoid heartbreak and chaos with your pets.
In the event of evacuation, we all hope it will be short term, and that you will be returning to an Israel with your pets afterward.
Since May 2010 Israel has the same rules as the EU countries regarding entering or re-entering with a pet; needing not only Rabies vaccination being up to date, but also requiring Rabies Antibody Titer bloodtest in advance of entry.
Many people have thought to evacuate to Cyprus or other close-by locations; and Cyprus, in the EU, also requires the bloodtest, in advance. Technically the EU countries require the bloodtest be done 3-4 months ahead of travel (but I have seen them bend on those rules).
Once one has the bloodtest results, they are valid for at least 4 years as long as the rabies vaccination is kept up annually.
You need to decide if you will be kenneling your pet in Israel while you evacuate, or will be taking your pet with you. We can supply names of excellent kennels. Because there is a lot of uncertainty about the length of time of being evacuated, and your plans afterwards, it may make more sense to take your pet along. That is a personal decision. The good kennels can assist with shipping pets abroad to rejoin their owners. In either event, your pet needs to be prepared to leave Israel and then re-enter Israel.
Therefore:
1. Check your pets’ Rabies vaccination status. If it is coming due in the next few months, better to repeat it early than to be stuck unable to leave Israel if evacuation happens around the time the Rabies is due and you havent yet done it (you cant leave Israel if the Pet has received its Rabies vaccination less than 30 days pre-flight, or more than one year ago).
2. We give out Health Booklets if you want one, with veterinary stamps and vaccine stickers and dates of vaccinations. Ask for one if you dont have one. Get us to update your booklet if you do have one.
3. If your pet doesnt have an ISO microchip (15 numbers, no letters) then get one implanted (pets can have two chips at once). American chips and the old Trovan chips wont be accepted in EU or coming back into Israel.
4. If Rabies vaccine is current (done less than one year ago and more than 30 days ago), and your pet has a microchip, then get a Rabies Antibody Titer bloodtest done for your pet. We draw a blood sample, prepare it and the forms, send it by courier to the Israel Government Laboratory who run the test. Results are usually sent to you within two weeks. If your pet passes the test (has 0.5 IU/ml or higher) then you will be mailed an English International certificate verifying the blood test result. That is valid for four years, internationally, if you keep Rabies vaccinations current.
5. Technically you are supposed to go to a Government vet (with your pet, proof of Rabies vaccination, with the bloodtest certificate, and with 36 shekels) within the final 10 days pre flight. (I am not sure how this step will actually happen if there is a mass evacuation……).
6. If you dont already have an Airline Approved Flight Cage or travel crate, get one, and start using it as your pet’s bedroom now, so that he or she wont be afraid to get into it if time comes for evacuation and travel. We can order crates for you, or they can be purchased at pet shops or online.
7. Prepare a pet flight bag; buy a small set of bowls, prepare a tupperware food bin with enough food for a few days, until you can buy new food, or if your pet is on a special Medical Food, then perhaps buy a small bag to take with you in case. If your pet is on permanent medications, make sure you have a week or two supply extra until you can get to another vet. Calming agents like Feliway for cats, or Rescue Remedy (the human stuff, in most pharmacies), for cats or dogs, can be in the travel bag.
8. You will be ‘well armed’ if you have, ready and waiting, the health booklet with proof of current Rabies vaccination, the bloodtest certificate (if you plan to fly to Cypus or any EU country, or plan to return after to Israel), and your pet’s travel crate or flight cage.
9. Do not sedate your pet for the trip; it is mostly unnecessary and can be dangerous to the pet’s health.
10. Be calm, for your pets’ sake. They adjust well to change, especially if you arent fretting about it. If there is an evacuation, then have a good trip, view it as a forced holiday, and see you back here soon.
Dr David Cohen
Vets 4 Pets Clinics
