You can buy a train ticket so they can travel with you on the German rail system. The tickets are about half the normal fare. These days they also seem to have little trouble flying with you on planes. But it is advisable to notify the airline that you would like to be accompanied by your pet when you book the flight.

Airline pet container requirements
The airline will normally insist that you acquire a special travelling container for the animal that is ventilated and allows the animal room to move and lie down. Label your pet's kennel carefully and prominently so that it won't get lost during the transit. Ensure that your pet has adequate food and water for the journey.

The rules regarding approved types of containers for cats, dogs, ferrets and birds flying in the cabin and as cargo were created by IATA, and for the most part have been accepted by the world's airlines. You can find the IATA requirements here.

Pets in the cabin
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.

Vaccinations
If you want to bring a cat or a dog into Germany you should start organising early, as there is quite a lot of paperwork required. If all the documents are not fully completed the animal could be quarantined.

Vaccinate your pet for rabies before departing for Germany. If you wish to enter the country with your pet, German officials require proof that your cat or dog has received a vaccination at least 30 days before the trip but no more than 12 months before your arrival. Your pet will also need a visible identification tattoo or a microchip in order to travel to Germany. Young pets which cannot be vaccinated yet may be allowed to travel without vaccination on the conditions defined here.

EU pet passports
European Union pet owners are now required to have pet passports when travelling with their animals. The passports, which are required before allowing an animal entry into an EU member state, are to include the pet's microchip or tattoo number for identification, as well as other data such as records of all vaccinations and clinical examinations. When travelling, the pet owner must ensure that the rabies vaccination in the passport is valid or renew the pet's vaccination.

One aim of the European Pet Travel Scheme, which is for cats, dogs and even ferrets, rabbits and rodents, is to provide proof that the animal has been vaccinated against rabies, with the passport also setting out details of the pet's tick and tapeworm treatment. The EU Pet Passport contains the following information:

• Name and address of animal owner
• Description of the animal (breed, sex, age, color)
• Number of microchip
• Date of the rabies vaccination, period of validity of the vaccination, type of vaccine, name of manufacturer and production number
• Address and signature of the veterinarian

Other considerations
No more than five pet dogs, cats and ferrets can be imported for non-commercial purposes.

Once you arrive in Germany, you will find that you will have to obtain the landlord’s permission before keeping a pet in rented premises.

Dogs have to be licensed in Germany. They can be registered at the local Rathaus or communal office in most cities. Cats are not required to have a license.

Good behaviour
Dogs have to be kept on a lead in parks and are not allowed in playgrounds or cemeteries.

You should also keep a plastic bag with you when on excursions with your dog, as you may find you are required to ensure that he or she does not foul the pavement.

Despite the apparent ease with which pets move around Germany, there are certain shops such as butchers and grocery stores where dogs are not necessarily welcome.  When this is the case you will see a sign with a drawing of a dog and the words: "Wir muessen leider draussen warten" ("unfortunately, we have to wait outside").

In general, as a dog owner you are required to ensure that your pet does not endanger any persons or cause any damage to property.Indeed, because pet owners in Germany are legally responsible for the animal and its behaviour. It is advisable to arrange a special personal liability policy for pet ownership.

Berlin's tough dog laws
The launch of the EU pet travel plan has coincided with moves towards tighter restrictions on pets in many EU nations, including Germany.

Laws have now been introduced which mean certain breeds of dog are not permitted to be brought into Germany.  These include: bull terriers, pit-bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire bull terriers or any crossbreeds of these dogs.

All German cities have various restrictions on the use of leads when taking dogs in public places. But Berlin's city assembly has passed a tough new law for dog owners in the German capital, which imposes specific restrictions on leads and requires chips to be implanted behind the animal's ear.

The aim of the chip is to ensure that animals cannot simply be abandoned. The new law means current dog owners will have five years to make arrangements for the chip which is to be implanted by a veterinary surgeon.

At the same time, the new law requires dog owners to arrange personal liability insurance cover. This applies to all newly purchased dogs. Existing owners will have about five years to sign up for insurance cover.

In future, the lead can be two metres long if the dog is in more open areas such as in parks, forests or sports grounds. However, when the dog is in more crowded areas such as railway stations, department stores, on public transport or in a demonstration or festival, the dog will have to be on a one-metre lead.

The new law also reinforces strict rules on so-called fighting dogs with the owners of 10 particular breeds, including bull terriers and American Staffordshire terriers. This will require the dogs to wear a muzzle outside the home and in general to be on a lead.

Petya Vetseva / Expatica

Resources:

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32010R0388:EN:NOT  
http://www.bmelv.de/EN/Agriculture-RuralAreas/Animals/animals_node.html  
http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/liveanimals/pets/nocomm_intra_en.htm  
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/09/277&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en 
http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/liveanimals/pets/qanda_en.htm