Overseas visitors to the USA are enticed when visiting regional shopping malls to find puppies for sale.

The pet shop owner, eager to sell the overseas visitor a puppy, entices the sale by saying “all you need is a heath certificate from a veterinarian, and you can take the puppy in the cabin with you as you travel home.”

Nothing could be further from the truth.  For example, a colleague in the northeast was contacted by a visitor from Sweden who was encouraged by the Brooklyn pet shop to purchase the puppy, find a veterinarian to issue an international health certificate, and take the pet in the cabin of the airline upon their return to Stockholm, Sweden.

For pets to enter Sweden, they must have a microchip, a rabies immunization, and a blood test for Rabies antibodies four (4) months after the Rabies vaccination.

Along with treatment for both internal & external parasites, the puppy then can enter Sweden without quarantine.

Summary: for overseas visitors coming to America this winter for vacation, family gatherings, etc … understand the rules and regulations for the entry of pets into your home country before purchasing.  Especially since most live animal purchases are not refundable.