Since the government relaxed the rabies quarantine laws, it is now possible to take your pet on holiday with you without him/her having to stay in quarantine for 6 months on re-entering the UK. The PETS scheme only applies to EU countries and certain rabies free islands. For your pet to qualify for the scheme he/she must first satisfy certain requirements. Your pet must be:
- Microchipped
- Vaccinated against rabies
- Blood tested one month after vaccination to ensure immunity against rabies
Once you have a valid blood test result you must wait 6 months after the blood test was taken before your pet will be able to re-enter the UK without having to go into quarantine. We can issue a passport for your pet as soon as we receive a valid blood test result. The passport is valid until the date that the rabies vaccination booster is required (boosters are required every other year). Your pet will also need to be treated against tapeworm and ticks 24-48 hours before embarkation to the UK. For a more detailed explanation and requirements of the scheme please contact the surgery or click on the DEFRA link below.
Taking Your Pet Abroad - The Pet Passport Scheme (PETS)
PETS
Other considerations
PETS
PETS enables you to avoid putting your cat or dog into quarantine when you travel to certain countries (most countries in Western Europe & Scandinavia). To qualify for exemption from quarantine, you must meet various conditions relating to your pet’s health.
The conditions are set out in brief below. We strongly recommend visiting the government website for the latest and full information a long time (9 months) in advance of your travel date.
To get a 'passport' your pet must:
- be fitted with a microchip by your vet
- be vaccinated against rabies - your vet will know what to do
- be blood tested to ensure that the vaccination has worked
- get a PETS certificate from an authorised vet
Once your pet has a PETS certificate, it can enter back into the UK providing:
- that six months has passed from the date that the successful blood test was sampled.
- your pet has been treated against ticks and a tapeworm between 24 - 48 hours before it is checked in for the return journey to the UK
- your pet has not been outside any of the PETS qualifying countries in the six months before it enters the UK
- your pet is travelling on an authorised route with an approved transport company
Other considerations
- take your pet for a health check by your vet in advance of your journey. Get advice from your vet on pregnant animals.
- speak to the carrier in advance to ascertain the conditions that your pet will travel in and to ensure that you have the required paperwork.
- do not use sedatives unless advised by a vet.
- give your pet only a light meal about 2 hours before travel.
- check with the carrier that your pet will have full and constant access to fresh water.
- use a container which enables your pet to stand, sit and lie down in a natural position, and to turn around easily. The container should contain absorbent bedding and provide ample ventilation. A familiar toy can help your pet get used to the container.
- ensure that your pet will not be exposed to extreme temperatures.
- try and match your pets sleeping patterns by travelling overnight where possible
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