As one of the world’s top 10 travel destinations, Turkey is modern enough to travel with four-legged friends. Yet, sometimes we can’t help but wonder if Turkey is a good place to visit with our dog.
What are the current pet rules and regulations? Where can we take our dog, and where we cannot? Then you think to yourself, are there any banned dog breeds in Turkey at all?
So, this feature is all about traveling to Turkey with your dog in the most hassle-free way as possible at all. But for a total hassle-free trip to Turkey, you’ll need to know about the current pet travel rules and regulations in Turkey.
Let’s first get to know that, and next up is all about dog-friendly places to visit when in Turkey, so let’s take a dive.
Current Turkey Pet Travel Regulations
Turkey has its own set of rules and regulations for importing pets. Fortunately, the rules aren’t that complicated; this I can tell after digging out the official Turkish government websites. In fact, to make things easier for travelers, Turkey has the Pet Passport Scheme (PPS).
The set of rules and regulations stated in Turkey Pet Passport Scheme applies to all pets. That includes cats, dogs, and ferrets. So, in case if you are wondering if there will be any quarantine imposed on your dog when entering Turkey on not the answer is no. Not until you meet all the requirements of the Turkey Pet Passport Scheme.
Here’s what the current Turkey rules and regulations require you to do before moving with our pet.
Microchip
Your dog needs an ISO-Compliant microchip before traveling to Turkey. All pets should have a 15 digit microchip ID number, and the current ISO standard for Turkey is 15 digit encrypted. In case your dog is not microchipped according to ISO compliant, you may bring your own microchip scanner for verification.
Rabies Vaccination
Before traveling to Turkey with a dog, you need to make sure one important thing. And that is to have your dog undergo rabies vaccination at least 30 days before the date of your arrival to Turkey.
In order to avoid dog quarantine, you will also need a copy of rabies certification for that. But what if you couldn’t manage to get a 30 days rabies vaccination and titer test service for your dog?
In that case, your dog will need three months of home quarantine after arriving in Turkey along with you. The next important question is whether the health certificate is also required?
Health Certification
Certainly, you would need a health certification for any invertebrates such as fish, reptiles, and mammals such as rabbits before entering Turkey. But for traveling to Turkey with a dog, you would need a rabies titer test and vaccination certification other than health certification for that.
As for Turkey’s requirements of pet health certification for travelers, an original copy of the rabies certification test is pretty much enough. The rabies certification test should state rabies titer (blood) test and other proof of anti-rabies titer level along with that.
With the rabies certification in hand, you don’t need a health certificate for your dog. Is there anything else required? Just one crucially important thing, and that is to get a vet-stamp.
A Veterinary Certificate for Turkey
To cover all possibilities of traveling to Turkey with your dog, your pet must have an accredited vet stamp on your pet passport.
Sometimes, the information on health certification along with vet signing and government endorsement policy for traveling to Turkey with pets might sound a bit confusing. If you still find it challenging to understand the vet stamp, then I find this website carrying the best resources for that. It states all the necessary paperwork you would need for your pet and the Veterinary Certification for Turkey and endorsement policies for that.
Next up, is traveling around Turkey with a dog, which places to visit, which places not to visit, and, most importantly, finding dog-friendly accommodations on top of all that.
Traveling Around Turkey with A Dog
Traveling around Turkey with a small dog is relatively easy in trains such as Turkish State Railways and TCDD. However, you will need to carry your pet visa and identity card when traveling in any Turkish State Railways.
Sometimes larger dogs are not allowed on Turkey trains, and in case of traveling around Turkey by bus, they are permitted on only luggage compartments. If you are traveling around Turkey with a dog, your best option is to hire a taxi or a car.
Dog-Friendly Places and accommodation in Turkey
Turkey is an interesting country with many dog-friendly hotels and accommodations in many of its cities as Ankara and Antalya. If you want to go to places in Turkey where your dog will be welcomed with open arms, then perhaps, you should give the boutique hotels a try.
10-11 years back, almost 99% of the hotels and restaurants in Turkey weren’t as welcoming to pets as now. But now the situation is entirely in reverse.
That means almost all of the luxury hotels and restaurants are pet-friendly ones with only charges applicable to that. In some other hotels and resorts, pets are allowed on request, so check in advance.
Surprisingly enough, some hotels as residences in Turkey welcomes dogs of any size but no cats at all. One such amazing dog-friendly place is at the St. Regis Istanbul.
When traveling to Turkey with dogs, one thing is sure. Sometimes it becomes tough to take our dogs for a walk. In that case, you may consider looking for a training center or a daycare facility to take care of your four-legged friend. Daphne Kennel is one such fantastic pet care daycare facility in Turkey.
Similarly, there are pet-care and boarding facilities too that can help you with almost any type of pet care needed making your trip to Turkey as hassle-free at all.
