| Pet Travel Scheme - Owner Information |
 |
 |
|
The Pet Travel scheme was set up to allow pets to travel between member states of the EU without needing to be quarantined. Some non-EU countries also recognise Pet Passports. Always check that the country you wish to visit is on the Pet Passport list (see DEFRA website or PETS helpline below) and be aware that some countries have slightly different requirements eg Sweden and Malta. We do not advise on the requirements for individual countries as these may change from time to time; the responsibility for ascertaining your requirements lies with you, the owner. A rabies vaccination is required after a microchip has been placed. 21 days later, your pet will need a blood test to determine whether he has an adequate level of protection against rabies. In the rare event that he does not, he will need to be revaccinated and have a repeat blood test 21 days later. Once a successful blood result has been obtained, you will be issued with a pet passport. If you are not bringing your pet back to the UK, you do not need the blood test but cannot take your pet abroad until 21 days after the vaccination; should you at a later date decide to bring him back to the UK you would need to contact a local vet to make the appropriate arrangements. We cannot vaccinate puppies before 3 calendar months of age if they are going abroad. You can take your pet to qualifying countries as soon as the passport is valid, but you cannot bring him back into the UK until six months after the date on which the successful blood test was taken. Your pet will need to be treated for ticks and tapeworms 24-48 hours before you return to the UK. With the vaccine we use, your pet will need to be revaccinated against rabies within three years of the first vaccination, and the passport filled in. If the vaccination goes overdue, even by one day, the whole process will have to be started again, ie blood test, and another 6-month wait. Although we aim to send booster reminders we do not take responsibility for the revaccination of your pet, so please make sure that it is done in time. Different conditions apply to rabies revaccination if your pet is considered resident in another country. PETS Helpline…………………………..……….0870 241 1710 DEFRA website……………………………..…..www.defra.gov.uk |
