Hello everyone! I have been reading quite a few helpful posts on information regarding importing animals...so thankful to have found this forum! I have a lovely 9 year old Boston Terrier that I have decided to give away to one of my relatives that lives in Zurich, Switzerland. She absolutely loves him and I know will be a wonderful mother to him. I've had him microchipped today as well as had vet give the Rabies vaccine. I was told to wait 21 days prior to getting the Health Certificate & then have it stamp by USDA 10 days prior to travel. I will be leaving the US at end of December & will have one of my friends drop him at the airport 1 week later, so I am there (In Zurich) to pick him up. I do have a couple of questions:
1. Is there a separate vet health certificate that I should obtain 10 days prior to the dog's arrival indicating that the dog is healthy to travel---is this separate from the certificate the USDA has to stamp?
2. Do I transfer dog ownership at the vet's office in Zurich? What docs would they require, apart from the 'dog passport'?
3. Has anyone done this before, and if so what was your experience?

I would certainly appreciate a response
Jess

I'll let some of the more experienced persons on the EF comment, but do you know about the dog laws here? New owners must take a theory course prior to acquiring a new dog, and then a practical course upon taking ownership. Dogs must be registered and pay a dog tax as well.

What you are proposing falls under commercial import rules. It matters not that you are giving the dog away without payment, if someone other than the end owner is the one initiating the importation, commercial rules apply. You need to follow the rules described here:

http://bvet.bytix.com/plus/dbr/default.aspx?lang=en

Click on 'I import dogs, cats or ferrets to sell or deliver in Switzerland', follow the next questions.

The only way that private (non-commercial) import regs would apply would be if your relative were to import the dog him/her self.

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Runningdeer is right - if your relative is a first time dog owner in Switzerland (as in, not registered in ANIS), he/she must have already done the SKN theory course BEFORE you hand him over. So make sure that he/she has already done so.

(And of course your relative must also complete the SKN practical course within 12 months, register the dog in ANIS, pay the taxes, etc.)

Don't forget to check about regulations for flying with a short nosed dog. I would be surprised if a Boston Terrier didn't have problems flying, especially in cold or hot seasons.

If he can't fly in cabin, I would reconsider flying with this breed of dog. But I'm not a vet. Check with a good vet.

Am I right in thinking the OP might also need to complete the SKN courses, Meloncollie?

In the scenario described in the original post, the OP is bringing the dog into Switzerland without any intention of continued ownership. So - he/she falls into the category of commercial importer, not that of an owner. Which means that he/she would not have an owner's responsibility, including the SKN courses, but rather must adhere to the rules of commercial importation.

In this case, the person who is taking on the dog must do the SKN courses, and fulfill all the other ownership responsibilities.

If the OP were to import the dog under the easier regulations as the dog's owner, then of course he/she as the owner would be required to fulfill all the responsibilities of an owner, including the SKN courses.

But he/she would be wrong to try to import as an owner, as he/she states that his/her intentions are to turn the dog over to someone else, and the BVet clearly states that this is not allowed under private importation.

"This regulation only applies to pets, such as dogs, cats and ferrets, which are kept out of interest in the animal or as a household companion. They accompany their owners or a person designated by the owners.
After being taken over the border, pets must not be sold or handed over to new owners. They must already be in the care of their owners in the country of origin.
If the animals are handed over to new owners after their entry into the country, the regulations governing the commercial animal imports apply."

http://bvet.bytix.com/plus/dbr/default.aspx

Thank you all for your replies! I am aware this will fall under a commercial import, I also got confirmation from the bvet website from an e-mail, implying this. My relative already completed the Theory Course just recently, and she obtained the required certificate as well. I hope this process will go as smooth as possible

Because of this, he can only fly as Cargo as long as temperature is good prior to departure...can't be under 10 degrees F (-12C), or over 85 F (29.4C), According to Delta.

This is good as dogs and cats should not be allowed in the cabin as passengers should not be forced to have animals near them on a flight

I understand this, although there are many times i've been on a plane and would have much preferred a dog or cat sitting next to me than the human.

Same here, and sometimes that human next to me is actually related to me!

I have flown countless times with a dog in cabin. Not one person yet has even noticed unless I point it out to them.