Israel – Veterinary Care

What is the standard of veterinary care in Israel?

Israel’s veterinary profession is mature and well-established, with a substantial body of qualified private practitioners — around 700 in total — the majority of whom work in the private sector and focus primarily on small animals. Pet owners based in cities can expect a competitive marketplace of companion animal clinics offering standards broadly in line with those seen across Western Europe or Australia.

Referral and specialist services are accessible in the main urban centres, spanning disciplines such as orthopaedics, cardiology, oncology, and ophthalmology. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Koret School of Veterinary Medicine serves as Israel’s foremost veterinary training institution, driving advanced research and specialist development and helping uphold professional standards across the country.

Despite the general strength of the sector, only a small number of clinics in Israel operate around the clock. It is strongly advisable to ask your regular vet where to go in an emergency, rather than trying to locate a facility during a crisis. This contrasts with countries such as Germany or France, where 24-hour emergency referral centres are more densely distributed across urban and suburban areas. Identifying your nearest emergency clinic soon after settling in is a sensible precaution.

Outside of the major cities, service provision narrows considerably. Practices exist across the country, but specialist referrals almost always require travel to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, or Haifa. Expats moving from healthcare-rich urban environments should bear this regional variation in mind when deciding where to live.

Is there a national veterinary association in Israel?

The Israel Veterinary Medical Association (IVMA), founded in 1922, is a professionally registered non-profit body representing the country’s veterinary community and is among the oldest organisations of its kind in the region. It publishes the peer-reviewed Israel Journal of Veterinary Medicine, which focuses on veterinary issues relevant to the Middle East and Mediterranean.

The IVMA operates as a voluntary membership organisation: qualified and recognised veterinarians join and pay an annual subscription. This is a meaningful distinction for pet owners — unlike in some countries where a single statutory body both licenses practitioners and maintains a public register, the IVMA does not serve as a mandatory licensing authority. Responsibility for statutory regulation and licensing of veterinary professionals in Israel lies with the Veterinary Services and Animal Health Unit within the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The IVMA’s stated aims include promoting a high ethical and professional standard of practice, supporting the establishment of veterinary science institutions, organising continuing education and scientific events, and publishing a veterinary journal.

For matters of regulation — including confirming whether a particular practitioner holds a valid licence — the relevant body is the Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, headquartered at Beit Dagan. Their details are available at moag.gov.il. The IVMA’s website and journal are accessible at ijvm.org.il, and the association can be reached by phone at 09-741-9929. Always check official sources directly for the most current contact information and any publicly available tools for verifying credentials.

How do I find a vet in Israel, and are English-speaking vets available?

Given Israel’s large internationally educated population, many veterinarians — particularly those practising in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Herzliya, and other cities with established expat communities — speak conversational to fluent English. This is especially the case among younger practitioners who trained abroad or studied in internationally oriented programmes. In smaller towns and peripheral regions, Hebrew is generally the primary language of veterinary practice.

There is no single English-language government directory of private veterinary clinics in Israel. Expat community networks, however, are well developed and offer a practical alternative. The Nefesh B’Nefesh website, which supports people relocating to Israel, includes guidance on bringing pets and can point newcomers towards relevant community forums. City-specific Facebook groups for English speakers — such as “Tel Aviv Expats” or “Jerusalem Anglophones” — regularly feature vet recommendations from residents with direct experience, and personal referrals through these channels are widely relied upon.

SPCA Israel operates a veterinary clinic at 159 Herzl Street in Tel Aviv, open to the public and offering a range of services at accessible prices, including general examinations, vaccinations, laboratory testing, microchipping, dental care, and sterilisation procedures. For newcomers who have not yet settled on a regular practice, this can be a convenient first port of call.

Standard mapping tools such as Google Maps — using the search terms “veterinarian” or the Hebrew phrase for veterinary clinic (קליניקה וטרינרית) alongside your location — will return local practices with contact details, reviews, and opening hours. Asking upfront when booking whether the vet or reception staff speaks English is entirely routine among the expat community and is unlikely to cause any awkwardness.

What vaccinations and preventive treatments does my pet need in Israel?

Israel’s warm, semi-arid climate creates health risks for pets that are substantially different from those found in cooler northern or central European countries. The combination of hot dry summers and mild winters means that parasite prevention cannot simply be seasonal — it must be maintained throughout the year. Several diseases common in the region require a level of vigilance that owners from cooler climates may not be accustomed to.

For dogs, rabies vaccination (known in Hebrew as Kalevet) is legally required and must be kept current as a condition of annual licence renewal. The Hexagonal Vaccine (Meshushe) covers six major viral and bacterial diseases and is generally given once a year. The park worm vaccine — administered every three months — is considered essential for dogs in Israel due to the prevalence of this parasite.

For cats, the Quadruple Vaccine (Meruba) offers protection against the main viral and bacterial infections relevant to cats in Israel, and annual administration is recommended. Rabies vaccination is advised for cats but is not subject to the same legal obligation that applies to dogs.

Anti-worm treatment (Tola’at) for both dogs and cats is recommended twice yearly to guard against intestinal parasitic worms. Flea and tick prevention should be maintained year-round — using pills, collars, or topical treatments according to your pet’s individual circumstances — which represents a notable shift from many northern European countries where such treatment is typically limited to warmer months.

Leishmaniasis, a potentially fatal disease spread by sandfly bites, is a serious and ongoing concern in Israel, particularly during warmer periods and in sandy terrain. Your Israeli vet will advise on appropriate preventive strategies. As always, it is important to consult your local veterinarian for up-to-date guidance tailored to your specific region and your pet’s individual health needs.

What does veterinary care cost in Israel?

There is no nationally regulated fee schedule for veterinary services in Israel, and prices can vary substantially depending on the clinic, its location, and the nature of the treatment required. In general, practices in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem charge more than those in smaller towns, and specialist or emergency services command a significant premium over routine consultations. Always confirm fees with the clinic directly before booking.

As a rough guide (as of 2025, based on community-reported figures — confirm with individual clinics): a standard consultation at a general practice typically falls somewhere between 150 and 300 NIS. Annual vaccination courses for a dog or cat can cost between approximately 200 and 400 NIS, depending on which vaccines are included. Neutering or spaying ranges widely but often falls between 500 and 1,500 NIS or above, influenced by the animal’s size and the practice. Out-of-hours or emergency consultations carry additional costs. These are indicative figures only — always verify current pricing directly with the practice.

It is worth noting that the annual licensing fee for intact (unneutered) dogs is approximately 300 NIS higher than for dogs that have been neutered or spayed (as of the time of publication — verify the current figure with your local authority). This effectively creates a financial incentive to neuter, which is worth considering as part of overall pet ownership costs.

SPCA Israel’s Tel Aviv clinic offers various services at reduced prices, which can be particularly helpful for routine procedures while you are getting settled. Some municipalities also provide subsidised veterinary programmes for certain treatments — contact your local authority for details of what may be available in your area.

Is pet insurance available in Israel, and is it worth it?

Pet insurance is available in Israel for cats and for most dog breeds under the age of eight. Some providers may impose additional requirements or decline coverage entirely for breeds classified as dangerous. Compared to many countries in the region, Israel has a reasonably developed pet insurance market, with several dedicated providers operating in this space.

Coverage levels, premiums, and excess arrangements vary between companies, and it is worth comparing options and speaking directly with providers to find the most suitable policy for your pet’s circumstances. The providers most frequently mentioned in the expat community include:

• Marpet, which focuses exclusively on pet insurance and works in direct partnership with certain veterinary clinics. This provider includes coverage for annual vaccinations.
• Chayuta, which offers reimbursement-based pet insurance, allowing you to seek treatment at any clinic in the country before claiming back costs.
• Phoenix and Libre: Phoenix’s “Best Friend” policy is part of a larger insurance group and similarly reimburses the pet owner, with no restriction on which clinic you use.

Standard policies typically exclude annual vaccinations, dental cleaning, and neutering or spaying, though some clinics offer membership or wellness programmes that include such services. This mirrors the structure of pet insurance in many other countries, where preventive and routine care is not covered under accident and illness policies.

Cats must hold a valid rabies vaccination to be eligible for insurance coverage. As with any financial product, review all policy documentation carefully before committing — giving particular attention to exclusions for pre-existing conditions, waiting periods, annual claim limits, and any breed-specific restrictions. Provider terms and available policies change over time; always confirm current details directly with the insurer.

What are the rules for bringing a pet into Israel?

Relocating a pet to Israel is something you can organise independently, but it demands several months of careful preparation to satisfy all legal and veterinary requirements. The process is overseen by the Veterinary Services and Animal Health Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Always verify the latest requirements directly at moag.gov.il before making any travel arrangements — requirements do change, and non-compliance can result in your pet being quarantined, returned to the country of origin, or worse.

The principal requirements for importing dogs and cats (as of 2025) are as follows:

1. Minimum age: Pets must be at least 4 months old to enter Israel. Pets from countries recognised by Israel as rabies-free may enter from 3 months of age.
2. Ownership duration: You must have owned the animal for a minimum of 90 days before the date of entry.
3. Microchip: Your pet must carry a microchip conforming to ISO standards 11784 and 11785. This is not the chip standard commonly used in the United States. Confirm with your vet that the correct chip model is being implanted before the procedure takes place.
4. Rabies vaccination: Vaccinated against rabies at the age of 3 months or older, not more than one year and not less than 30 days before arrival in Israel. A rabies vaccination is not required if the dog or cat was born in a rabies-free country — Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Cyprus, Singapore, Japan, the United Kingdom or Ireland — and remained there continuously until its flight to Israel.
5. Rabies titer test: Pets entering Israel need a rabies titer test taken 30 days after vaccination and within 12 months of arrival. The result should state that the rabies neutralising antibody titre was equal to or greater than 0.5 IU/ml.
6. Health certificate: Pets entering Israel must be accompanied by an official veterinary health certificate, which was issued no more than 10 days prior to the pet’s arrival, endorsed by a government veterinarian of the country of origin.
7. Pre-arrival notification: The importer or owner is required to notify the Veterinary Services at the point of entry — Ben Gurion Airport, Haifa seaport, Ashdod seaport, or Eilat seaport — at least two working days prior to the pet’s arrival.
8. Import permit (if applicable): An import licence is required when bringing an animal into Israel, unless an exemption applies. The exemption covers owners over 18 years old bringing a maximum of two pets. Additional conditions apply; check the official guidance for full details.

Israel prohibits the import of dogs belonging to certain dangerous breeds, as well as mixed breed dogs that are mixed with those dangerous breeds. A special import permit is required for these animals. There is no mandatory quarantine in Israel, provided pet import regulations are fully met. If your pet does not conform to the regulations, it will be subject to quarantine if facilities are available, returned to the origination country, or euthanised. Do not travel with your pet before confirming compliance with every requirement.

For other species — birds, rabbits, rodents, reptiles, and others — separate rules apply. A Veterinary Import Licence issued by the Director of Veterinary Services is required if you are bringing more than two of each of the following: dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, or rodents, or if you are bringing one or more animals that fall outside those categories. Consult the Ministry of Agriculture’s website for full details applicable to each species.

Are there any animal welfare laws or pet ownership regulations I should know about in Israel?

Israel’s primary animal welfare legislation is the Animal Protection Law of 1994, which has been revised on several occasions since its enactment. Additional laws bearing on animal care include the Dog Regulation Law 2002 and the Law of Veterinarians 1991. Taken together, these create a reasonably comprehensive framework governing pet ownership in the country.

Under this framework, licences are mandatory for all dogs aged three months or older, and dogs must also be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies. The annual dog licence is issued following confirmation of both vaccination and microchipping, and must be renewed each year.

The National Centre for Dog Registration functions as Israel’s canine population registry, with each registered dog assigned a 15-digit chip number analogous in concept to a human identity number. This system is designed to reunite lost animals with their owners. If you bring a dog into Israel, you are legally required to register it with your local authority and obtain a dog licence within five business days of arrival.

In public, dogs must be kept on a lead at all times. Dogs classified as belonging to dangerous breeds must wear a muzzle whenever they are outside the home. The law prohibits the breeding of dangerous dogs in Israel, and any such dog must be spayed or neutered before reaching six months of age.

Microchipping is not legally required for cats, reptiles, or birds, although it is strongly recommended for all species as the most effective means of recovery if an animal is lost. Rules governing exotic or wild species fall under the remit of Israel’s Nature and Parks Authority (Reshut Hateva V’haganim) — if you keep any species that may be considered wildlife, contact that body for specific guidance. Individual municipalities may also apply local by-laws on top of national legislation, so checking with your local authority upon arrival is advisable.

Frequently asked questions about veterinary care and pet ownership in Israel

Do I need to register my cat in Israel?

Unlike dogs, cats are not subject to a mandatory microchipping requirement or an annual licensing scheme in Israel. That said, microchipping and maintaining up-to-date vaccination records is strongly recommended for all cat owners — it remains the most reliable way to recover a lost animal and may be a condition of obtaining pet insurance.

Is there a quarantine period when I bring my pet to Israel?

No mandatory quarantine period applies to pets arriving in Israel, provided all import requirements are met in full — including up-to-date rabies vaccination, a satisfactory titer test result, an ISO-compliant microchip, a valid health certificate, and any necessary permits. If any requirement is not fulfilled, the animal may face quarantine, compulsory return to the country of origin, or destruction, all at the owner’s expense.

Can I bring more than two pets to Israel?

There is no ceiling on the total number of dogs and cats that can be brought into Israel, but importing more than two animals requires the owner to obtain an import licence. Animals beyond the two-pet threshold must enter the country as air cargo through Ben-Gurion Airport, and the Veterinary Services must be notified at least two working days before arrival. Contact the Ministry of Agriculture’s Veterinary Services well in advance of travel.

Are there vets in Israel who can treat exotic pets or birds?

Vets specialising in exotic animals do practice in Israel, with the greatest concentration found in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, though they are considerably less common than general companion animal practitioners. Israel maintains specific guidelines for the inspection of newly imported species, including birds, and publishes lists of both permitted and prohibited species. If you own an exotic animal, it is advisable to locate a specialist vet before arriving in Israel and to confirm your animal’s import eligibility with the Ministry of Agriculture.

What happens if my dog is on Israel’s dangerous breeds list?

Import of dogs belonging to breeds designated as dangerous by Israeli law, as well as cross-breeds with those dogs, is prohibited unless the owner holds a valid translated import licence specifically issued for dangerous dogs. Breeding dangerous dogs within Israel is also prohibited, and any dog of a restricted breed must be spayed or neutered before reaching six months of age. Review the Ministry of Agriculture’s current list of restricted breeds thoroughly before making any travel arrangements.

How do I renew my dog’s licence in Israel each year?

The dog licence is linked to the annual rabies vaccination, so staying current with that vaccination is the most critical practical step. Both vaccination and licence issuance can be handled through a licensed veterinarian or your municipal authority. The administration and payment process is managed at the local level, so contact your iriya (municipality) for the specific procedure and current fee applicable in your area.

Is Hebrew required to communicate with vets in Israel?

Hebrew is the day-to-day working language in the vast majority of Israeli veterinary clinics. In cities such as Tel Aviv, Herzliya, Ra’anana, and Jerusalem, however, many practitioners and reception staff speak functional to fluent English. The most dependable way to find a clinic with confirmed English-speaking staff is through expat forums and community groups. In more rural or peripheral locations, bringing a Hebrew-speaking friend or using a translation app is a practical precaution for initial visits.

Can I use a pet passport from another country in Israel?

The documentation package sometimes described informally as a “pet passport” for Israel is simply the collection of records that satisfies Israeli import requirements. This should not be confused with an official EU Pet Passport, which is a standardised document issued to pets resident within the European Union. Israel operates its own distinct documentation framework — encompassing a government-endorsed health certificate, a qualifying titer test, and specific microchip standards — and an EU Pet Passport alone does not meet those requirements. Confirm the complete set of necessary documents with the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture before making any travel plans.