Pet Passports

Defra has announced that the rules for pets (cats, dogs and ferrets) entering the UK under the Pet Travel Scheme will change with effect from 1st January 2012.

Pet passports are available via the surgery to allow cats dogs and ferrets to travel between listed countries without quarantine. 

For further information please contact the surgery or follow this link to the DEFRA website. Countries not participating in the PETS Scheme have varying import/export requirements. It is recommended that owners wishing to travel with their animals to such countries, contact DEFRA and the relevant national embassy well in advance of their travel date, to ensure the necessary veterinary arrangements can be made.

Travelling Abroad with your Pet

The legal requirements for travelling with your pet into and out of the UK vary depending on the other country involved.

A. European Union Countries

The PETS travel scheme permits the entry of your pet into an EU country and return to the UK without the need for quarantine. The requirements of the scheme in chronological order are as follows:

  1. Your pet must be microchipped
  2. Vaccinated against rabies. (This can be done at the same time as the microchip.) 
  3. To wait 21 days after rabies vaccination before re-entering the UK from other EU Member States and listed Third countries rather than waiting 6 months as they did before.
  4. Before returning to the UK a declaration must be made that your pet has not been to a country exempt from the PETS scheme.
  5. 1 - 5 days before returning to the UK your pet must be treated for tapeworms by an authorised vet.
  6. Tick treatment for pet animals returning to the UK will no longer be required. All pet owners travelling abroad with their animals should discuss with their vets the use of treatments, including those designed to control ticks and tapeworm as part of good animal health practice.

At present animals do not need to be in possession of a passport to travel between the UK and the Republic of Ireland. (The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are treated as part of the UK for Regulation purposes).

B. Countries other than the European Union

  1. Export from the UK - Each country has its own regulations concerning the entry of pets, these may change at any time. These may include microchipping, blood tests, vaccination and certificates of health. DEFRA can advise you, contact them well in advance of your intended date of travel.
  2. Import into the UK - If a country is a PETS qualifying country (contact DEFRA or visit the web site below for details of which countries this applies to), your pet will be allowed entry into the UK by following the PETS scheme as detailed above. This can be carried out in the UK before you leave or in the country of origin. If the country is not a qualifying country, 6 months quarantine is still required.
For further information please contact the surgery or follow this link to the DEFRA website. Countries not participating in the PETS Scheme have varying import/export requirements. It is recommended that owners wishing to travel with their animals to such countries, contact DEFRA and the relevant national embassy well in advance of their travel date, to ensure the necessary veterinary arrangements can be made.

DEFRA Barton Hall Animal Health Centre (exports) 01772 860143

DEFRA Web site www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine