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Pet Travel Scheme PDF Print E-mail
Taking your pet on holiday sounds like a great idea but obtaining a PETS EU passport is not instant. It takes about 7-8mths and there can be no shortcut in the procedure, so early planning is essential.

In the past strict quarantine control laws meant that any pet wanting to return to Britain after visiting another country would have to endure six months of quarantine. With the new Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) this has all changed.

PETS is a scheme which allows dogs and cats to re enter the United Kingdom from certain countries without the need for lengthy quarantine. This means that holidays need not now mean leaving your pet behind.

Do consider that long journeys may be stressful for animals and they may be much happier left in a good boarding establishment in this country. However if you want to take your pet on holiday being aware of the regulations is essential.

To travel from one EU country to another an animal must, in this order, be :
    1) Microchipped.
    2) Vaccinated against rabies.
    3) Issued with an EU passport.
To re-enter the UK from certain EU countries, without quarantine, an animal must in this order, be:
    1) Microchipped.
    2) Vaccinated against rabies.
    3) Blood tested.
    4) Issued with an EU passport.
    5) Treated against ticks and tapeworms. (This must be done no less than 24hrs and no more than 48 hrs before the pet is ready to be checked into travel back to the UK).
An animal must not enter or re-enter the UK under PETS until 6 calendar months have passed from the date the blood sample, which gave a satisfactory result was taken, so early planning is essential.

For Non EU countries you may need an export certificate or import permit. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) will be able to advise you further, (see below for contact details)

TRAVEL CHECKLIST
    1) Check what the requirements are required for the country you wish to travel to or from by Calling DEFRA's helpline on 0870 241 1170 or visiting www.defra.gov.uk
    2) Have your pet micro chipped.
    3) Have your pet vaccinated against rabies.
    4) Have a blood test to check antibody levels are above the required threshold.
    5) Providing these antibody levels are adequate (98% on average are) then the passport can be issued immediately.
    6) If the levels are low then another vaccination and blood test will be necessary.
 
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