Pet Passport
What is a Pet Passport?
What is a pet passport? Pets traveling from the United Kingdom and other European Union countries may be issued a pet passport and avoid the rigors of quarantine. Within other countries an EU certificate or third country official veterinary certificate is issued. Under the auspices of the UK’s Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, or DEFRA, the Pet Travel Scheme or PETS offers travelers the ability to bring along their cats, dogs or ferrets without having to undergo the arduous six month quarantine typically required in the UK. Although the process for application is quite tedious and requires rigid adherence to the regulations, it is worthwhile to not have to subject your beloved pet to such a long separation from the family.
Basic Requirements
The Basics Requirements:
- The pet has to be micro-chipped before vaccinations are administered.
- Rabies vaccination must be current, over 30 days and less than one year old.
- Blood work must be satisfactory and completed six months prior to entering or re-entering the United Kingdom.
- Pets must not have been outside of the approved countries less than six months prior to entering or re-entering the UK.
- Tick and tapeworm treatment must be conducted not less than 24 hours or more than 48 hours prior to transport.
- Transport must be provided by an approved transport company, following an approved route.
Pet Travel to the United Kingdom
The passport may be issued to dogs, cats, and ferrets and allows the animals from the approved countries to travel to and from the UK and the other qualifying countries. The approved countries are divided two groups, countries in the EU and Non-EU countries. The USA is on the approved list. Pets traveling to the UK from a country other than those on the approved lists will be subject to the old EU certificate rules, including a six month quarantine upon arrival in the UK.
Flexibility for Traveling
While the whole process is quite an extensive ordeal, it certainly is better than being without your pet for such a long period and offers flexibility for traveling with your pet once you have obtained your passport. This pet scheme could be especially attractive to the expat family, giving them the option of bringing the family pet along for extended vacations or home leave. The key is to start early, because of the six month wait, if you hit any glitches, you have to start over again.
For more extensive information regarding PETS regulations see Pet Travel Scheme Health Requirements.
Check with your vet for more information or visit DEFRA’s website.
