Unfortunately due to the volume of enquiries we get regarding taking a dog/cat to the UK we are unable to respond individually as we are a small volunteer run Charity.
If you are thinking of bringing a dog or cat from Turkey to live with you in the UK this can be so rewarding and you will be truly saving a life! However, the process is long and isn’t cheap, but is so worth it. Hundreds, if not thousands, do this each year, many are on our own Facebook group along with UK adopters who have chosen to adopt a dog through the AFOT Charity.
The majority of the process is managed by the vet, so try to find a reliable vet locally who is competent with the UK export process and who can help you. You will need to find a safe foster home/pet hotel/boarding where the animal can stay for at least 4 months before he/she is ready to travel. (This is how long the process takes from the rabies injection).
1. Microchip
The first step is to get the dog/cat microchipped. This can be done at a private vet clinic, the local authorities (“Ilce Tarim Mudurlugu”) or the government shelter depending on the region and the dog’s age. Dogs with ear tags should already be chipped and you will need to get an adoption form (Sahiplenme Belgesi) from the local shelter in this case. The dog/cat’s microchip will need to be registered on someone’s name. This person must have a Turkish ID/tax number. If you can’t find anyone to register the animal’s microchip on, (ie. the person where your animal will stay for the 4 months) you can apply for a ‘temporary tax number for foreigners’ at the local tax office.
2. Passport
Once the dog/cat has been chipped and has his/her passport, the dog/cat will need to receive their rabies vaccination.
The rabies vaccination should be done at least one day after the date of the microchip implementation. The dog/cat needs to be at least three months old at the time of their rabies vaccination. The rabies vaccination will need to be recorded both in the animal’s vaccination booklet, and in the veterinary online database.
3. Blood Sample
At least 30 days after the day of the rabies vaccination, the vet will need to take a blood sample and send it to the approved lab in Ankara for the Rabies Titre Test (‘Kuduz Titre/Titrasyon’).
The price the vet charges for this differs per region and can even differ per vet within a city, so do shop around to make sure you get a fair price.
4. Quarantine
If the dog/cat has sufficient rabies antibodies, he/she will need to complete a waiting period of three months (90 days) starting from the date the blood sample was taken. After the three month wait has been completed, the dog/cat can travel to the UK at any time.
5. Travel
Dogs/cats can travel to the UK via one of two options:
Option 1– The dog/cat travels with a DEFRA registered commercial transport company, who will transport the dog door to door via road (normally takes 5 days) current prices as at Jan ‘25, depending where in mainland UK you live, are £1200 – £1600.
Option 2 – For the owner to transport the animal. You will need to fly with the cat/dog to Holland (there are no direct flights to the UK with your pet) and take the ferry to Harwich from Holland (normally just a day). Current prices vary hugely, anything from £400 – £900 as of Jan 25 (it is possible to fly from Turkey to other Countries, ie. France/Germany but we hold no information on prices on these Countries).
Before travel the owner, dog and papers will need to be presented to the local Ilce Tarim Mudurlugu office for an official Veterinary Health Certificate.
RECOMMENDATIONS
We strongly recommend the following:
a) Vaccinate the dog with the DHPPI vaccine as parvo and distemper are rife in Turkey.
b) Disease testing prior to travel: Ask the vet for a ‘4lu test’ to test for Heartworm, Ehrlichia, Leishmania and Anaplasma.
Although not required for entry as of Jan ‘25, UK vets require international dogs to be tested for Brucella so we strongly recommend to get a Brucella test for your dog in Turkey before travel.
Animal Friends Of Turkey (AFOT) are unable to recommend any single road transport Company in the SW area due to their being more than one, however your vet or the people helping you (ie. foster carer/kennels etc.) should be able to recommend one, if not then carry out an internet search on Defra commercial UK transporters transporting from Turkey.
If you are planning to bring your dog over non-commercially then we recommend Hayley at Summertlos2@hotmail.co.uk for advice and who may also be able to help with the export process, foster home or boarding.
Prices current for 2025 in the MUGLA Region
In addition to the cost of travel above these are the additional costs you need to budget for:
(Please note an exchange rate of 44.97 has been used (please work out accordingly to the exchange rate on the day))
Rabies Vaccine: 1000TL = £22.24
Rabies titre test: 13150TL = £292.40
Mix Vaccine: DHPPI vaccine x 2: 1600TL each 3200TL – £35.58 x 2 = £71.16
Kennel cough vaccine: 1600TL = £35.58
Disease testing for: Four diseases + Brucella – 8000TL = £177.89
We would also suggest reading on our policies section ‘A guide to taking on a rescue dog’.
The kind of care they will require from day one is paramount to ensure a successful and happy rehoming and a happy dog and a happy family.
We wish you the best of luck and hope to see your updates on the aforementioned AFOT Facebook group.