Bringing your pet to Israel? We’ve handled a substantial amount of pet exports to Israel — let us help with yours.
Pet travel and relocations to Israel can seem confusing, especially when you see that they differ depending on how your pet arrives in the country. Service disruptions at the usual pet-friendly airlines have further complicated travel to the region.
Fortunately, we’re not new to pet travel to Israel, and we’re certainly not new to complicated pet shipping situations. Our guide breaks down everything you need to know about importing a pet to Israel, including how we can help along the way.
Eligible Pets and Country Restrictions
Israel allows pet imports of up to 2 cats, dogs, birds, chinchillas, rabbits, and some reptiles with relevant health certificates. Certain dog breeds are restricted from entry, but exceptions are possible on a limited basis.
Eligible Pets
Dogs and cats traveling to Israel should be at least 4 months old and in good health. (Dogs and cats coming from rabies-free countries should be at least 3 months of age.)
Israel has an active breed ban on dogs defined as “dangerous,” no matter their origin point. This includes crosses with dogs on that list and dogs that have similar physical traits. Restricted dog breeds include:
- American Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Bull Terrier
- Dogo Argentino
- Japanese Tosa
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Pit Bull Terrier
- Fila Brasileiro
- Rottweiler
Limited exceptions are possible on a case-by-case basis with an import permit issued by the Israeli Director of the Veterinary Services. If your dog is on the dangerous breed list or resembles any dogs on that list, email vs-ie@moag.gov.il to ask about a possible exception.
Israel also has a ban on what they call “decorative” procedures, like tail docking and ear cropping. You may not be able to import a pet that has been surgically altered in this way.
Finally, the airline you choose for travel to Israel may have additional pet policies, including breed bans or restrictions. EL AL Israel Airlines, for example, will not fly snub-nosed dog and cat breeds as excess baggage or cargo.
Approved Countries
Israel does not have a list of approved countries for pet imports. Unless your pet comes from the short list of countries classified as rabies-free, they will need to show a history of rabies vaccinations. (The United States is not on that list.)
Planning an international flight for your pet? We can help.
Microchip and Vaccinations
Cats and dogs traveling to Israel must be microchipped and up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations.
Microchip
All cats and dogs must have an ISO-compliant pet microchip implanted before or on the same date as their rabies vaccinations. If your pet has a microchip that doesn’t meet ISO standards, you’ll need to provide import officials with a microchip reader upon your pet’s arrival in Israel.
Vaccinations
Cats and dogs traveling to Israel must be current on their rabies vaccinations. Whether it’s your pet’s first round of vaccines or a booster, they should get their shots between one year and 30 days before their departure date.
The exception is for pets arriving from a country or region classified as rabies-free. Pets coming from Oceania (e.g. Australia and New Zealand), Great Britain (e.g. the United Kingdom), Japan, and Cyprus aren’t required to show proof of rabies vaccines for entry into Israel. They still have to be vaccinated against rabies within 5 days of their arrival, though, no matter the country of origin.
Israel doesn’t require additional vaccinations for entry, but your veterinarian may have recommendations depending on the health history of your pet. Those may include the following for traveling dogs:
- Canine distemper
- Infectious canine hepatitis
- Canine parvovirus
- Canine parainfluenza
- Bordetella bronchiseptica
- Leptospirosis
The following vaccines are recommended by most vets for traveling cats:
- Feline panleukopenia (enteritis)
- Feline rhinotracheitis
- Feline calicivirus
Blood Tests and Treatments
Cats and dogs arriving in Israel need a rabies antibody test conducted at least 30 days after vaccination but no more than 12 months before entry. Samples should be tested by an OIE-approved laboratory and be equal to or greater than 0.5 IU/ml.
Rabies titer results are valid for the life of your pet, as long as you keep them up-to-date on their vaccinations. Failed tests don’t mean your pet is ineligible for import into Israel. They can be retested a month later.
Israel does not require any additional tests or treatments for pet imports. That includes flea or tick treatments. That said, it’s always advisable to keep your pet protected from internal and external parasites before travel, no matter the destination country.
Import Documents
Import permits aren’t required for all pets traveling to Israel. Pet owners traveling with up to 2 pets in-cabin or as accompanied baggage don’t need import permits, as long as they meet all other relevant health certificate and vaccine requirements.
You will need to apply for an import permit from the Director of the Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development under the following conditions:
- You’re bringing more than 2 pets to Israel.
- Your dog is arriving with an exemption as a “dangerous” breed.
- Your pets aren’t traveling with you.
- Pets are arriving as manifest cargo.
Keep in mind that some pets must travel in cargo. That includes large (or extra-large) dogs and live animals flying unaccompanied. At Tailwind, we prefer shipping pets as cargo, as that often means booking pets on the shortest, most efficient routes.
Live animals considered wildlife must also apply for import licenses, but there is no guarantee they’ll be allowed into Israel. To obtain an import permit, submit an application and the required fee to the Ministry of Agriculture. They want up to 14 working days to process your permit.
All pets traveling to Israel must arrive with an official veterinary health certificate issued no more than 10 days before their arrival. Certificates should be signed by an official government vet in the country of origin.
For pets coming from the United States, there is a specific form: the Veterinary Health Certificate for Export of Pet Dogs and Cats from the United States of America to the State of Israel. U.S. forms should be issued by a vet accredited by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and come with an endorsement by USDA-APHIS.
All health certificates should come with an additional form, Annex C. This form states that the pets have been in that pet owner’s possession for at least 90 days before travel to Israel.
Once you have your pet’s health certificate and relevant permits, you’ll need to notify Israel of your pet’s arrival using a “Notification of Pet Arrival,” or Annex B form. You can do this by fax or email, depending on the port of entry. (Fax your documents to Haifa, Ashdod, or Eilat. Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel’s main international airport, accepts email notifications.)
Notifications should come with a copy of your pet’s APHIS-endorsed veterinary certificate. They should be received at least 2 days before your pet’s departure from their origin point.
Airline Options
EL AL Israel Airlines is the only direct option for pets flying to Israel from the United States at this time. EL AL allows pets in the cabin if they’re small enough, as accompanied baggage, or as manifest cargo through their Cargo Division. Service dogs with the appropriate declaration forms can fly at no extra charge in the cabin.
Many airlines have suspended or limited services to Israel due to ongoing security concerns. Working with a professional pet shipper is always a good idea, but especially in situations where your options can change over the course of your travel planning.
Quarantine
There is no mandatory quarantine for pets arriving in Israel, as long as they meet all import requirements. That includes valid rabies vaccinations, titer tests, microchips, health certificates, and relevant permits. Pets should appear free of any contagious diseases upon entry.
Pets arriving in Israel as accompanied baggage or in-cabin are released directly to their owners upon arrival. Cats and dogs arriving under an import permit are collected from the cargo terminal at Ben Gurion Airport. That includes pets traveling as cargo or on an exception.
Returning to the USA
Israel is considered a high-risk country for rabies. Dogs (not cats) arriving from Israel to the U.S. must then comply with CDC requirements for pet imports to pass customs clearance.
Dogs with a history of rabies vaccinations in the U.S. need a CDC Dog Import Form receipt and a Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form. If you’re not able to provide these, your dog will need a rabies titer in Israel.
If you’re traveling to Israel for less than 3 years with plans to return to the U.S. after that time, you’ll want to ensure that your dog gets their booster before you leave.
If there are any gaps in your dog’s U.S.-based vaccination history as you plan their return, even if they get new shots in Israel, they’ll need to follow the processes for foreign-vaccinated dogs.
How Tailwind Can Help
Relocating pets internationally can be challenging, and Israel’s rules around import permits and rabies titers only add to the complexity. At Tailwind, we support pet owners every step of the way.
That includes coordinating logistics, handling documentation, and ensuring your pet is on the safest, most efficient route possible to their destination. No matter the hurdles, we’re ready to make your pet’s journey to Israel and beyond as stress-free as possible.
Ready to get started? Each pet relocation situation is different, so to get an idea of the costs involved, fill out a quote request.
See What Our Clients Have to Say
“Brady and Gaby were instrumental in helping our four puppies get through their CDC export from a high-risk rabies country. They calmed our fears, they answered our questions time and time again and they made sure that when our puppies arrived at LAX, that we knew they were okay and sent us photos.
I cannot thank them enough for their help. If you are looking for a CDC location for your import/export or just travel – these are your people!!”
– Annie S.
“Brady, Michael, Dylan, and a very nice lady who works after normal working hours at Tailwind Global Pet (sorry, I forgot your name!) were absolutely amazing! They were prompt in their response times, spoke with clarity regarding all paperwork, and just went above and beyond to help me get my pup imported. From sending late night documents scans, and mediating with third party companies, they were simply incredible. Thank you, Tailwind Global Pet! You’ve made my experience a memorable one.”
– Shon W.
“I can’t recommend Tailwind more highly. Over the months-long relocation process, they were always available to answer questions and guide me through next steps, and they took exceptional care of my pet while she was on the journey itself. Their prices are very reasonable compared to other relocation services and worth every penny. If we find ourselves moving again, I will absolutely use Tailwind. Thanks Brady and team!”
– Shilpa P.