Taking your pet abroad:
Pets Travel Scheme (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 www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm
- the government website - or telephoning 087 241 1710 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 passport from an
authorised vet
Once your pet has a PETS
passport, 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 traveling overnight where possible
- please note it is your
responsibility to maintain the vaccination requirements and
check the validations of the passport. Please also note you
should check before each journey that there are no additional
requirements specific to that destination
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