This follows changes in European legislation relating to the movement of pet animals within the EU, as well as international moves to and from EU countries.
Originally, December 2011 saw EFL International receive authorisation from the Irish Government Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, to operate as an approved registered carrier of pets into Ireland from other EU member states.
Now, the Dublin-based company has become the first freight company in Ireland to be granted authorisation to operate as a transporter of pet cats and dogs under regulation 6 of the European Communities (Pet Passport) Regulations 2012.
This allows EFL International to provide full document and animal examination of pets arriving from countries considered to be of high risk for animal diseases, services that to date were only available at one Government-approved veterinary clinic six km from Dublin Airport.
EFL managing director, Eddie Mullin, says: 'With our government approval, EFL is now the first company in Ireland that is able to manage the complete importation process for pets, from all parts of the world.
'This includes customs clearance, veterinary examination and documentation checks to ensure a safe and speedy release of the animal to its owner. The service is provided from a mobile veterinary unit, by a registered and approved veterinary surgeon working with a member of our pet specialist team on the day the animal arrives into Ireland.
'With the mobile unit, owners and breeders importing dogs and cats into Ireland, will no longer have to arrange for their animals to be transported from Dublin airport to the Government-approved veterinary clinic to complete the required formalities; removing costs, reducing the processing time and avoiding the extra travel for animals which may have already endured long transits from their origin.
'Using the EFL service, pet owners benefit from being met at Dublin airport by the mobile veterinary unit, together with a member of our pet specialist team, on the day of arrival after the incoming flight touches down.'
Prior to arrival, the customs clearance process for the animal in question will have been initiated. Once airline transfer and documentation has been completed we then arrange for the dog or cat to be taken directly to the veterinary unit for examination. Providing the dog or cat clears the physical examination and document check they can be released and handed over to their owner without further delay. The complete process from arrival to release will take on average two hours.
The first clients to use the new mobile unit will be two cats originating from Thailand. EFL, the long-time exclusive Irish agent of the U-Freight Group (UFL) worked closely with the latter's office in Bangkok to arrange the movement to Dublin.
EFL has also exported pets from Ireland to various countries globally, one Saint Bernard was moved recently to Yangon, Burma, with the assistance of the U-Freight office in London.
