EU Introduces Passports for Pets

It's hard enough to remember to take your own passport with you when pre-travel stress hits, but in future, Europeans with family members of the four-legged variety will also have to remember to pack their pet's passports.

The new EU documents for animals will be required as of October 1. While pawprints aren't required for identification, photos are optional.

Previously, animal owners were expected to carry their pet's immunization record when they travelled. Animals also were given a tattoo in their ear. While the old ID measures will be accepted during the transition phase, after 2011, all animals will need to have a microchip the size of a grain of rice injected which contains a machine-readable number to identify the animal.

"Total nonsense," scoffed Professor Hans-Joachim Hackbarth of the veterinary school in Hanover upon hearing of the new regulations. He said he can't remember the last time he was required to show his own passport when crossing an EU border. The effort pet owners have to make for their animals to meet EU standards is in no relation to the usefulness of the information, Hackbarth said.

Home is best

Germany's national association of veterinarians showed understanding for the EU's desire to unify pet identification procedures. After all, countries such as Ireland, Britain and Sweden are rabies-free, and would like to stay that way.

But the German Society for the Protection of Animals says the best advice for pet owners is to leave their furry friends at home when they travel.

And so that owners don't have to resort to kennels, they've even set up a hotline for pet "foster families." Dog and cat owners can arrange a swap to look after each other's pets -- no passport required.