Taking your pets abroad

The Pet Passport scheme isn't complicated, but there is a procedure which you MUST follow to avoid your animal being refused entry to the UK or quarantined.

Background

The UK has been free of rabies for many years, but in some other countries there is still a risk of the disease being passed to mammals. All rabies-susceptible animals entering the UK are required to spend six months in quarantine, UNLESS they arrive under, and comply with, all of the conditions of PETS.

What is the PETS scheme?

The scheme is designed to halt the spread of rabies and certain other animal diseases while still allowing your pet (cat, dog or ferret) to travel.

If you plan on going abroad and want to take your pet with you, the Pet Travel Scheme (known as PETS or the Pet Passport scheme) could allow you to avoid long quarantine periods when you return to the UK. Working guide dogs and hearing dogs may also travel on the scheme.

Countries participating in PETS include most parts of Europe as well as many non-European destinations.

The scheme has been amended in the past, particularly concerning participating countries. Consequently it is a good idea to check the latest position with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The website will show any changes which could affect you.

Procedure

To be eligible, your pet must:

• Be fitted with a microchip
• Be vaccinated against rabies
• Wait 21 days from the date of their first rabies vaccination before travelling to another Eurpean Community country
• Not have visited any non-approved countries or territories for at least six months before they enter or re-enter the UK

Cats and dogs must also:

• Be blood tested (with a satisfactory result) by a European Union approved laboratory
• Wait six calendar months from the date the satisfactory blood sample was taken before re-entering the UK

You must also ensure that your pet:

• Is issued with a pet passport by their vet
• Is treated by a vet for tapeworm and ticks, not less than 24 hours and not more than 48 hours before checking in with a PETS-approved carrier for the journey back to the UK.
• Travels into the UK on a PETS approved sea, air or rail route

Before you go

You need to book your return journey into the UK with a Pet Travel Scheme approved carrier on a PETS approved route. There is only a limited amount of space available for animals which is allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. You must book in advance as your pet will not be allowed to travel without a prior booking.

Taking care of your pet when travelling

These tips can help make your pet's journey as comfortable as possible:

Make sure your pet is as fit and healthy as possible to withstand the journey. Your vet will make any special

The Pet Passport Scheme

recommendations. Some carriers may require your pet to be declared fit to travel by a vet.

Give your pet a light meal a couple of hours before travel and give your pet the opportunity to go to the toilet before it is put in its carrying container or in the car.

If you are using a pet container, let your pet get used to it before the trip. The carrying container should be well-ventilated and be large enough for the animal to move around. It must be safe and have adequate food and water for the trip, with easily refillable containers for a long journey. It is a good idea put a familiar-smelling cushion or bedding in the container to help settle your pet.

Pets are often required to stay in the car on ferry crossings. Make sure there is plenty of clean water in a non-spill bowl and leave windows open for ventilation. Don't set the car alarm!

Returning to the UK

When returning to the UK, transport staff will check your pet passport to ensure that the requirements of the scheme have been met. Some carriers will ask you to arrive at your departure point earlier than usual to allow plenty of time for these checks. If any paperwork is missing or if your pet has not been prepared correctly it may be taken into UK quarantine or returned to the country from which it has just come.

_{Your pet must be treated by a vet for tapeworm and ticks not less than 24 hours and not more than 48 hours before check-in for the journey back to the UK. Bear that in mind if you will be travelling back on a Sunday or a Monday - your chosen vet may not be open for an appointment at the weekend!}

If you live outside the UK and want to take your pet in to the UK, you can check on the Defra website to see if your country is on the PETS list. You must also fulfill all the other requirements