Pet Travel Scheme
This allows cats and dogs to enter the UK from certain countries without the need for quarantine. This means you will be able to take your pets on holiday with you. To qualify your pet must meet certain conditions.
- Microchip insertion
- Vaccination against rabies (not before the animal is 3 months old).
From EU countries and certain other listed countries (see DEFRA) the pet may then travel/enter/re-enter the UK 3 weeks after vaccination. A Pets Passport may then be issued.
From “unlisted” countries your pet will also be required to have a blood sample taken not less than 30 days after vaccination. If sufficient antibody titre has been achieved a Pets Passport may then be issued and validated.
This certificate is essential for re-entry into the UK. Your pet will also need to receive treatment for tapeworms 1-5 days before re-entering the UK by a veterinary surgeon who will issue a certificate and validate the Pets Passport confirming this.
Rabies vaccination boosters will need to be maintained as advised to enable the Pets Passport to remain valid.
The alternative to meeting entry requirements correctly is 6 months compulsory quarantine.
The Pet Passport system only affects re-entry into the UK. You must also remember to establish what export requirements are needed. These continually change and DEFRA should be contacted for the latest advice.
When travelling your pet will come into contact with parasites and diseases which we do not commonly see in the UK. It is important to protect your pet accordingly. Please ask for advice at the practice.