How long does it take to prepare a pet for travel from Turkey to the EU/UK?

For the EU and UK, the process takes a minimum of 4 months. This includes microchipping, Rabies vaccination, waiting 30 days for the FAVN Titer Test, and then a mandatory 3-month waiting period after the blood is drawn before the pet can enter the destination country.

Can I adopt a stray cat from Turkey and take it home?

Yes! Many expats and tourists fall in love with Turkish street cats. We offer comprehensive 'Stray Adoption Packages' that cover all necessary vaccinations, internal/external parasite treatments, microchipping, and the entire FAVN timeline required for legal export.

Pet Passport Turkey & Rabies Titer Test (FAVN)

The EU / UK Travel Timeline

Turkey is classified as an "unlisted" country regarding Rabies. This means you cannot simply vaccinate your pet and fly. A strict, legally mandated timeline must be followed to avoid quarantine at your destination.

Day 0

Microchip & Rabies Vaccine

First, an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip is implanted. (The microchip must be placed BEFORE or ON THE SAME DAY as the Rabies vaccine, never after). We then administer the approved Rabies vaccine and issue a Turkish Pet Passport.

Day 30

Blood Draw (FAVN Titer Test)

Exactly 30 days after the Rabies vaccination, we draw a blood sample. We send this sample to an EU-approved, internationally recognized laboratory (Etlik Central Veterinary Control Research Institute in Ankara) to measure rabies antibodies.

Day 30 to Day 120

The 3-Month Waiting Period

Once the laboratory confirms the antibody level is sufficient (≥ 0.5 IU/ml), a strict 3-month (90 days) waiting period begins from the date the blood was drawn. The pet cannot enter the EU/UK during this time.

Departure (-48 Hours)

Export Health Certificate

Within 48 hours of your flight, we administer mandatory Echinococcus (tapeworm) treatment. We then assist you in obtaining the final Export Health Certificate from the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture. You are ready to fly!

Why Expats Choose Petheart

100% English Support

Medical terms and legal documents are confusing enough in your native language. We explain every step clearly in English.

Zero Paperwork Errors

A single wrong date or missing signature can result in your pet being quarantined at customs. We guarantee flawlessly prepared documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a FAVN test to travel to the USA or Canada?

Currently, the USA (CDC) requires a valid Rabies vaccination and a microchip. However, due to recent CDC rule changes regarding dogs imported from high-risk rabies countries (Turkey is considered high-risk), specific forms and microchip verifications are mandatory. Canada's rules also differ from the EU. Please contact us for the most up-to-date North American regulations.

What if my pet's Rabies Titer Test fails?

If the antibody level is below 0.5 IU/ml, your pet is not legally protected against rabies. We will administer a booster Rabies vaccine, wait 30 days, and draw blood again for a new test. This restarts the timeline.

Can you board my adopted stray during the 3-month wait?

Yes. We understand that tourists often have to return to their home countries before the 4-month process is complete. We offer safe, veterinary-supervised long-term boarding in our clinic while we finalize all export documents. You just meet your pet at the airport!

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