Our Institute Directorate is the only authorized laboratory to perform the FAVN rabies test in Turkey and our results are recognized in EU countries, the USA, and Japan.
To send a rabies FAVN test serum sample:
1. A petition that will be prepared and printed out from the rabiestest.gov.tr by a private veterinary clinic,
2. At least 1 ml blood serum sample of the animal which should be sent in the cold chain conditions,
3. Documents of the identity and vaccination history of the animal,
4. Proof document of the required money transfer. You can transfer the money as TL, USD, and EUR (to learn the up to date price please contact from the etlik.vkmae@tarimorman.gov.tr
If the rabies FAVN report is attached to the electronically signatured cover letter you can verify documents from this link:
https://www.turkiye.gov.tr/tarim-ve-orman-bakanligi-ebys
You can find more information about the verification system from this link.
Sample Shipment Address:
Veteriner Kontrol Merkez Araştırma Enstitüsü
Ahmet Şefik Kolaylı Cad. No: 21/21-A 06020 Keçiören Ankara Turkey
e-mail: etlik.vkmae@tarimorman.gov.tr
You can find more information about sending serum samples from this link.
POINTS TO BE CONSIDERED for REQUEST of RABIES ANTIBODY TITER DETERMINATION TEST IN DOG AND CAT BLOOD SERUM and SAMPLE SHIPPING, and FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralisation Test is declared mandatory by some countries for transport of pet animals abroad. Owners of cats, dogs and other pet animals that will enter several countries have to document anti-rabies antibody titers in their blood serum with this test, which is required to be performed before the animals leave their country of origin. Each country has different practice on this issue and it is recommended to get information from the country of destination or Provincial/District Directorates of Agriculture and Forestry in order to avoid any problems.
In order to perform this test, rabies vaccination should be given to chip-implanted animal, and blood sample should be taken at least 30 days after vaccination. Waiting period for transport of pets abroad after taking the serum samples depends on each country’s own rules. Having this test done and having an antibody titer higher than 0.5 IU/ml is not enough for an animal to go abroad, you must also apply to the Agriculture and Forestry Directorates in your province or district with this test and obtain the appropriate Veterinary Health Certificate. More detailed information can be found in “Implementation Instruction Regarding Overseas Transport with Passengers and Commercial Shipment of Cats and Dogs”, numbered E-10724253-325.11.02.02-1293832 and dated 28.04.2021.
Our Institute Directorate is only authorized to perform the test. See below the requirements for test request:
A petition prepared by a private veterinary clinic
Blood serum collected and sent in the conditions described below
Identity of the animal and document for vaccination information
Receipt of payment
Information on sending samples for the first time:
A petition addressed to the Institute and filled out on a computer should be submitted (It should be filled, stamped and signed by the veterinarian who took the serum. Petitions without the veterinarian’s signature will not be accepted.). It is mandatory to notify the relevant veterinarian at the Provincial and District Agriculture and Forestry Directorates according to Implementation Instruction Regarding Overseas Transport with Passengers and Commercial Shipment of Cats and Dogs” numbered E-10724253-325.11.02.02-1293832 and dated 28.04.2021 (This notification will be made by the veterinary clinic).
It is mandatory to attach photocopies of the animal’s vaccination certificate/ID/passport pages, which include microchip number of the dog or cat, vaccination information and other information.
At least 1 ml dog or cat serum sample separated from the clot should be sent.
If the test is carried out for the purpose of going abroad, information about the waiting period between the blood draw and the last vaccination date should be confirmed from the relevant institution of the country to be visited. For example, European Union countries stated that blood serum should be taken 3 months before the issuance of a health certificate, so the period was determined as 3 months to get a certificate after blood draw (For all countries, blood sampling is performed at least 29-30 days after the first vaccination to measure the working principle of the vaccine. Even if there is a suitable result after sampling, the waiting period for the issuance of a health certificate varies between countries. For example, in the EU, a certificate is issued 3 months after the blood sample is taken, and in most other countries, a certificate can be issued if the appropriate result is obtained).
After all the above-mentioned conditions are fulfilled, sample petition form stamped and signed by the relevant veterinarian along with the serum sample, photocopies of the animal vaccination certificate/ID/passport pages containing microchip number of the dog or cat, vaccination information and other information, copy of bank receipt/EFT document confirming that the test fee has been paid must be delivered by hand or sent to the Institute by cargo within 5 (five) days in a package under cold chain conditions (Documents should be sealed in an envelope in order to avoid contact with the serum sample and wetting).
A photocopy of the bank receipt or EFT document showing that the test fee has been paid must be sent with the sample.
Serum samples that do not have a receipt and do not meet all the above-mentioned conditions will not be processed and will be destroyed with a rejection report in accordance with our quality policy.
Information on sending reports and further processes:
The test order of the sera to be tested is determined according to their arrival date to the Institute Directorate.
The results are sent to the specified address according to the submission method specified in the petition sample in Annex-1. Name of the Person/Clinic to which the final report will be sent, full address, and mobile phone number must be specified in the sample petition form.
The European Union has declared the laboratories authorized to perform this test and our laboratory is included in the list (https://ec.europa.eu/food/animals/pet-movement/approved-labs_en).
You can find the List of Approved Laboratories for the Rabies Antibody Titer Determination Test by our Ministry here
• What should we do if the microchip is not readable?
You have to implant a new microchip and specify both new and previous microchip information in the analysis request form.
• I want to send you a sample, can you come and get it?
Samples are delivered to our Institution by hand or by a courier.
• How can I access information about my sample?
You can get information from our Sample Acceptance and Reporting Department.
• It has been 10 days after the blood draw because of the following weekend and duration of cargo delivery, is my sample still valid?
In accordance with our Ministry’s Implementation Instruction Regarding Overseas Transport with Passengers and Commercial Shipment of Cats and Dogs” numbered E-10724253-325.11.02.02-1293832 and dated 28.04.2021, serum samples must reach our Institute Directorate under cold chain within five days.
• In which tube should we send samples?
After obtaining blood serum, you must separate serum from the clot and send it to us with a capped tube. According to the instructions, at least 1 ml of blood serum should be delivered to our Institute Directorate under cold chain and within five days after blood collection.
• Do we need to make an appointment to bring samples?
You can deliver your samples at any time during working hours.
• Is it okay if we bring samples on the weekend or outside of working hours?
Since it is not an urgent sample and must be delivered under cold chain conditions, your samples should be sent to us on weekdays, during working hours.
• They charge too much for blood collection and sample delivery. Can you help me with this issue?
Since this issue is not under the jurisdiction of our Institute, it would be appropriate to contact the nearest chamber of veterinarians or the Provincial/District Directorates of Agriculture and Forestry.
• Shall we prepare the Application Petition from rabiestest.gov.tr or will we use the petition on your website?
Until VELBIS, which will be put into use by our Ministry, is activated, you can use rabiestest.gov.tr to both minimize the errors that can be seen in your petitions and track whether your sample is accepted by our Institute. A more comprehensive system will be put into use with VELBIS integration later on.
• Is it mandatory to take the samples under the supervision of Provincial/District Agriculture and Forestry Directorate Veterinarians (Official Veterinarian)?
In accordance with the “Implementation Instruction Regarding Overseas Transport with Passengers and Commercial Shipment of Cats and Dogs” numbered E-10724253-325.11.02.02-1293832 and dated 28.04.2021, it is mandatory to inform Provincial/District Agriculture and Forestry Directorate veterinarians for every sampling as defined in the instruction. After supervised sampling procedures, blood will be taken in the presence of the Official Veterinarian with an organization to be held between the Private Veterinary Clinic and the Provincial / District Directorates, the documents will be prepared by the Official Veterinarian, and the necessary documents will be scanned and added to the prepared EBYS document as before. The printout of the relevant official letter and the necessary documents and the receipt will be sent by sticking it in a closed envelope on the box containing the sample (Pay attention to the sealed envelope to prevent the documents from becoming unusable due to water condensed in the ice battery by contacting the sample).
• I want to send my sample to the laboratories abroad, is it possible?
Decisions on this issue is evaluated by Republic of Turkey Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, General Directorate of Food and Control. For your requests and questions, you should apply to the Provincial Directorates of Agriculture and Forestry.
b. Frequently asked questions about what to do after you receive the report:
• I have received my report. How will I evaluate the test?
Anti-rabies antibody titer equal to or greater than 0.5 IU/ml in dog or cat sera found in the Rabies Antibody Titer Determination Test are considered to be protective.
What is the validity period of the test?
The test is valid for life, provided that the results is appropriate and regular rabies vaccination is given. However, it is mandatory to obtain a veterinary health certificate from the Provincial Directorates of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry for each departure abroad.
When can I take my animal abroad with this test?
Many countries have different practices in this regard and since the rules may change, this problem should be evaluated according to the rules of the destination country. For example, for an entry into a country that requires 30 days between administration of rabies vaccine and blood serum collection for testing and accepts the animal 90 days after blood collection date, rabies vaccination should be administered on 10.06.2021, and blood sample should be delivered to our Institute Directorate within five days and then you can only enter the destination country on 10.10.2021 with the report of test results issued on 15.07.2021. This is just an example and the waiting period varies according to the veterinary health certificates required by the recipient countries.
Is the Rabies Antibody Titer Determination Test sufficient for you to go abroad?
No, it is not enough. In order to evaluate your report and do other procedures, you must apply to the Agriculture and Forestry Directorate in your province and district and obtain a veterinary health certificate prepared for animals that will go abroad. You can get detailed information from the Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry in your province and district.
How can I find the information about the rules for travelling with animals of the country that I’m going to?
Find below the information about frequently visited countries. You can get detailed information from the provincial and district directorates of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
United States of America
European Union
Australia
United Kingdom
Japan
Russia
What kind of procedure is required for cats/dogs traveling to Australia?
You can get information about the laboratories whose results are accepted by the Australian Government from the link below. You need to take the report that you have from our Institute and travel to another country where the results of the laboratories are accepted by the Australian Government, repeat the test, and then travel to Australia.
To which institution should I ask my questions about the entry to and exit from the Republic of Turkey for animals?
Animals’ entry to and exit from the Republic of Turkey and all other issues are evaluated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, General Directorate of Food and Control, Animal and Animal Products Border Control Department.
Links to get information in Turkish:
Regulation on Animal Health Conditions to be Applied in Non-Commercial Movements of Pet and Ornamental Animals
Republic of Turkey Ministry of Commerce
Republic of Turkey Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Istanbul Provincial Directorate
Republic of Turkey Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Sabiha Gökçen Airport Veterinary Border Control Point Directorate
For detailed information about traveling with pets:
Turkish Airlines
Sabiha Gokcen Airport
Links to get information in English:
Turkish Airlines
Sabiha Gokcen Airport
c. Questions about loss of and change in the report:
The information in my Rabies Antibody Titer Determination Test Report needs to be changed, where should I apply?
Animal owners or the clinic that sent the sample should apply to the Provincial / District Agriculture and Forestry Directorates for changes to be made in the report.
I have lost my Rabies Antibody Titer Assay Report. How can I get a new one?
Animal owners or the clinic that sent the sample should apply to our Institution with a computer-filled petition containing the report number, report date, name of the animal owner, name and microchip number of the animal for lost reports.
My report says Mix/Hybrid for color or race, what should I do? What should I write instead of crossbreed for stray animals?
In accordance with our Ministry’s “Implementation Instruction Regarding Overseas Transport with Passengers and Commercial Shipment of Cats and Dogs,” numbered E-10724253-325.11.02.02-1293832 and dated 28.04.2021, the race and color of the animals to be taken abroad must be clearly defined in their passports. Exit procedures of the animals whose breeds are defined only with expressions such as “mixed/crossbreed” and colors only as “mixed/ crossbreed” are not approved. After the necessary corrections are made in the animal vaccination record/identity/passport by writing the race, cross-breed race and color closest to the breed and color of the animals, exit procedures can be carried out. Information about race and color closest to the animal’s actual race and color should be written, e.g. Persian mix/hybrid
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