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PET PASSPORT SCHEME
The Pet Passport Scheme has recently been improved to allow easier travel within the EU. A passport can either be ‘comprehensive’ and allow travel between a specified list of countries including re entry to the UK or a more basic form which will allow travel to mainland Europe within the EU but does not allow re entry to the UK.
The
steps to obtaining a ‘Comprehensive’ Pet Passport are as follows:
1 First, your pet needs to be microchipped.
2.They then must be vaccinated against rabies. This can be done at the
same time as the microchipping.
3.Two to four weeks after the rabies vaccination, a blood sample is taken
to measure the level of antibodies against rabies that the vaccine has
produced. Providing the minimum level is attained then a Passport can
be issued,but it will not allow re-entry to the UK immediately.
Six months has to elapse after the date the successful blood
sample was taken. Before this six month period has elapsed, your pet will
be able to travel out of the UK to other EU countries, but will not be
allowed to return to the UK.
4.Every time your pet comes back into the UK they have to be treated by
a vet for ticks and tapeworms 24 - 48 hours before embarkation.
NB Providing the rabies vaccination is boosted before the date
it is due then the Passport can just be updated. If the rabies vaccination
is allowed to lapse, then steps 2 and 3 will have to be repeated and another
six month period elapse before re-entry to the UK is allowed.
To obtain a 'Basic Passport', a pet needs to be microchipped
and given a rabies vaccination. A blood test is not required.
A 'Basic Passport' will not allow a pet re-entry to the UK. A
'Basic Passport' is used where an owner is emigrating and has no intention
of returning to the Uk with the pet. It replaces the need for DEFRA export
papers.
It would seem that some ferry companies and airlines may require a 'fitness to travel certificate' which can be written by us a few days before travel following a clinical examination of your pet. Please check well in advance if this is needed.
Travel regulations are changing all the time and we would strongly advise always to check with DEFRA each time you travel in case your intended destination has become restricted for some reason. Not all countries are on the DEFRA list of permitted destinations, travel to one of these countries with your pet will mean 6 months quarantine on return to the UK.
For
the latest information contact DEFRA on 0800 241 1710 or www. defra.gov.uk(go
to A-Z and look up Pet Travel).
