Pet Passport

The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) is the system that allows pet dogs, cats and ferrets from certain countries to enter the UK without quarantine as long as they meet the rules. It also means that people in the UK can take their dogs, cats and ferrets to other European Union (EU) countries, and return with them to the UK.

They can also, having taken their dogs, cats and ferrets to certain non-EU countries, bring them back to the UK without the need for quarantine. The rules are to keep the UK free from rabies and certain other diseases.

The European regulation which sets the rules for dogs, cats and ferrets to travel between European Community countries and into the Community from other countries also covers the movement of other pet animals. Please see the Defra website for more information:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/index.htm

Dogs, cats and ferrets:

The UK does not permit the import of dogs, cats and ferrets that have not been vaccinated against rabies. Once they have reached the minimum age for vaccination (as stated on the vaccine manufacturer's datasheet) they must be prepared in accordance with all the requirements explained on this website, taking account of the required order of preparation.

PETS only applies to dogs, cats and ferrets travelling between the UK and certain countries and terratories. Dogs, cats and ferrets must not have been outside any of these countries in the 6 calendar months before entering the UK.

Before travelling, you must make sure that your pet cats and dogs or your ferret meets all the rules of the Scheme.

Dogs, cats and ferrets entering the UK under PETS may only do so on certain sea, air and rail routes.

Dogs, cats and ferrets entering the UK from non-qualifying (unlisted) countries must spend 6 months in quarantine on arrival.

PETS: What vets need to do - dogs and cats

A pet cat or dog, including guide and hearing dogs, must meet certain conditions to be able to enter or re-enter the UK without quarantine. It will have to be:

• Identified with a microchip
• Vaccinated against rabies (in accordance with the recommendation on the vaccine manufacturer's data sheet)
• Blood tested at an EU-approved laboratory and get a satisfactory result
• Issued with an EU pet passport or, in a non-EU listed country, a third country official veterinary certificate.
• Treated against ticks and tapeworms.

For dogs and cats entering or re-entering the UK these steps must be carried out in the order shown.

A dog or cat may not enter or re-enter the UK under PETS until 6 calendar months have passed from the date that the blood sample which gave a satisfactory test result was taken.

The rules are to protect human and animal health and to reduce the risk of importing rabies into the UK. Animals not meeting all the rules must be licensed into quarantine.

There are no requirements for dogs and cats travelling directly between the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

This information was taken from the DEFRA page:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/index.htm

For more information on the PETS scheme please contact the surgery or DEFRA directly.

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