Pets in the Netherlands

On flights of less than ten hours, many airlines will allow small cats or dogs to be taken with the passenger in the cabin (except travel to the UK and Hong Kong). Generally, the airline will only allow one pet per passenger and a maximum of two pets per cabin. The container for the pet must fit under the seat in front of you and must have a waterproof bottom and adequate ventilation. The Sherpa, Bergan and SturdiBag pet carriers are all airline compliant as long as the carrier is the proper size for your pet.

Please note that airlines will normally insist that you acquire a special travelling container for the pet animal. The rules regarding approved types of containers for cats, dogs, ferrets and birds flying in the cabin and as cargo were created by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and for the most part have been accepted by the world’s airlines. We have listed below the minimum requirements for the containers but we suggest you to read the IATA requirements to travel with your pet:

• The container must be large enough for the animal(s) to stand, turn around, and lie down
• Both water and food bowls must be attached to the inside of the front door and be refillable from the outside of the container without opening the door
• The container must have ventilation on all sides for international travel and three sides minimum for domestic travel
• The container must have LIVE ANIMAL stickers on the top and sides in letters at least one inch tall
• NO WHEELS. If the container has wheels, they should be removed or taped securely so that the kennel cannot roll
• The container must be identified with your pet’s name and owner’s contact information. The best way to do this is to attach your pet’s information to the outside of the crate
• Make sure to attach an extra copy of your pet’s health certificate to the container

In addition, airlines often have their own regulations. Please check with your airline well in advance.

Dogs must be registered with the gemeentelijke belastingdienst (municipal tax department), and a hondenbelasting (dog tax) is charged annually, calculated on the number of dogs in each household. You need to inform the municipality about the number of dogs you have. The number of municipalities charging dog tax is decreasing.

Other pets don’t need to be registered. However it is compulsory to have your dog chipped.  It is suggested to have your cat chipped as well. However, if it is born in the Netherlands it is not an obligation . Having your cat chipped is especially useful if it is lost, Then, it is easy to locate you as the owner and bring your cat home.

Although not compulsory, it could be a good idea to take out an insurance for your pet. Pet insurance can cover much of unexpected vet expenses in case of an injury, illness or damage to third parties. Some of the things you may consider when choosing a pet insurance could be:

• Does the policy cover all chronic, congenital and hereditary conditions?
• Is there a time limit on treatment per condition?
• Is there a cost limit on treatment per condition?
• Are there flexible coverage options to fit your budget and needs exactly?
• Does the insurance cover for damage or injury caused to third parties?

The Netherlands has opruimplicht (clean up after your dog)  and there are fines for those who do not do so. Use a paper bag, a plastic bag or a special ‘pooper scooper’ available at pet shops, veterinarians and municipal offices. Be aware of more regulations on keeping pets within your municipality.