Pet owners traveling from Ukraine to EU countries, in particular Poland, must have an EU passport for their pet, a valid vaccination against rabies. In case of absence, it is necessary to notify the competent person, fill out an application and go through a simplified border crossing procedure.

This is discussed on the website wetgiw.gov.pl.

The restrictions apply to owners of dogs, cats or ferrets (companion animals) who come to Poland from Ukraine during the armed conflict, and these animals are their property. So, according to the updated rules, animals can cross the border with Ukrainians if all EU requirements are met, that is:

1. the animal is correctly identified using a microchip, the animal is vaccinated against rabies and the vaccination is still valid, for details, follow this link
2. the animal has a current serological test to determine the anti-rabies antibody titer, details here
3. the animal has a valid passport issued in one of the EU countries or in a health certificate corresponding to the model established in EU law

It is noted that animals displaced during a military conflict do not need a serological test for anti-rabies antibody titers.

“In an emergency situation as a result of an armed conflict, animals of the aforementioned species accompanying their owners when crossing the Polish-Ukrainian border may be brought into Poland, despite the failure to comply with one or more of the above requirements,” the message says.

In case of crossing the border without obtaining the aforementioned permission due to the fact that the animal is not vaccinated or microchipped, it is necessary to notify the point indicated by the territorially competent county veterinarian. At the specified location, after filling out the application, the animal will be marked and vaccinated against rabies, and then a permit will be issued.

However, rabies labeling and vaccination are not required before 8 weeks of age. In this case, you should only obtain permission to travel with the accompanying animal. Measures related to labeling and vaccination against rabies should be completed later after the animal is 8 weeks old.

“Other species of animals are moved as accompanying animals (rodents, rabbits, amphibians, reptiles, ornamental aquatic animals, invertebrates) due to the absence of the risk associated with the potential transmission of infectious diseases dangerous to humans or animals, including the rabies virus, a temporary exemption from the obligation to have a chief veterinarian for imports. If there are any species restricted by the Washington Convention CITES without the necessary permits – the decision will be made by the National Tax Administration,” the statement said.