Caring for a pet while traveling from Cyprus. How do Poles cope?

A trip to Poland, whether for vacation or business, can be quite a challenge for pet owners living in Cyprus. You can take your dog or cat with you, leave it in the care of a trusted person, or use the services of a pet sitter or a pet hotel.

Each solution has its advantages, but requires advance preparation. Especially during the holiday season, good caregivers and pet hotel rooms are booked well in advance.

Taking an animal to Poland

For many owners, the best solution is to travel together. However, direct flights between Poland and Cyprus are limited.

Currently, LOT offers a regular, direct flight that allows travel with a standard pet on the Warsaw-Larnaca route. The airline allows dogs, cats, or ferrets to be transported in the cabin, in the hold, or as cargo, depending on the animal's size, weight, and type. The direct flight between Warsaw and Larnaca takes approximately three and a half hours.

This is important information for Poles living on the island. Wizz Air and Ryanair do not carry ordinary pets on their flights. The exceptions are guide dogs or assistance dogs that are properly registered and documented.

A small pet can travel in the cabin

LOT allows you to bring a dog, cat, or ferret into the cabin, provided the animal, including its carrier, weighs a maximum of 8 kilograms. It must remain in an appropriate carrier placed under your seat throughout the flight.

The number of pets allowed on a single flight is limited. Therefore, don't buy a ticket and only then assume there will definitely be space for your pet. It's best to check the availability of transport when booking. LOT also allows you to add the service later, but no later than 12 hours before departure and only if there are still available seats.

Larger animals can travel in a specially prepared carrier in the hold. However, additional restrictions apply, including those for certain short-snouted breeds that are more susceptible to respiratory problems during flights.

What documents are needed?

When travelling between Cyprus and Poland, your dog, cat or ferret should have:

• microchip,
• a valid pet passport issued in a European Union country,
• current vaccination against rabies,
• appropriate transporter that meets the carrier's requirements.

After the first rabies vaccination, travel is permitted only after the required vaccination period has elapsed. The microchip details must match the number entered in the passport.

Before each flight, it's worth checking the current requirements of both the carrier and the destination country. Veterinary documents alone don't guarantee your pet will be accepted on board if the carrier is unsuitable or the flight's animal allowance has already been reached.

Petsitter, or care at home

Not every pet copes well with flights, changing locations, and long journeys. In such situations, many Poles living in Cyprus use the services of pet sitters.

The caregiver may:

• stay in the owner's house while away,
• visit the animal once or several times a day,
• take the dog for walks,
• administer food and medicine,
• send photos and information about your pet's well-being.

For cats and older animals, staying in their own home is usually less stressful than moving to a hotel. However, it's important to meet with the owner beforehand to ensure the animal responds well to their presence.

Help from friends and neighbors

The simplest solution is often to seek help from someone you trust, especially on short, multi-day trips.

However, arrangements should not be limited to leaving keys and food. The caregiver should know:

• how many times a day the animal eats,
• where the leash, carrier and documents are located,
• what medications he takes,
• which vet should I contact,
• how to behave in an emergency,
• what the animal is afraid of and how it reacts to the heat.

It is also worth leaving written consent to provide veterinary assistance to your pet, especially during a longer trip.

Hotel for dogs or cats

There are pet-friendly hotels and boarding houses in Cyprus, but the standard of service can vary significantly. It's a good idea to visit the establishment in person before booking.

Worth checking out:

• where the animal will sleep,
• how many walks does the facility provide,
• whether dogs are grouped together,
• whether the facility is air-conditioned or adequately shaded,
• whether staff remain on site also at night,
• what does help look like in case of illness,
• whether additional vaccinations are required.

During the summer, protection against overheating is especially important. Animals should not spend the hottest hours in an open enclosure without shade and constant access to water.

It's worth knowing

Direct travel between Poland and Cyprus with a standard dog, cat, or ferret is currently possible thanks to LOT's flights between Warsaw and Larnaca. Popular low-cost carriers flying to Cyprus, such as Wizz Air and Ryanair, do not accept standard pets. They only transport authorized guide and assistance dogs.

Don't leave organizing care until the last minute

The best pet sitters and trusted pet hotels are booked up weeks in advance during the summer holidays. The situation is similar during Christmas and Easter, when many Poles living in Cyprus fly home.

It is worth first securing the care of the animal or confirming its place on board, and only then finalizing the remaining elements of the trip.

A well-prepared trip means less stress for both the owner and the pet. For some animals, a direct flight to Poland might be best, while for others, care at home might be best. The most important thing is to tailor your decision to the animal's health, age, and temperament.

Sources: LOT Polish Airlines – rules for travelling with animals and Warsaw–Larnaca connections; Wizz Air – rules for the carriage of special baggage; Ryanair – rules for the carriage of animals; European Commission – rules for the movement of pets in the EU.