NEW Pet Travel Scheme requirements

12 January 2012

From January 1st 2012 the rules for taking pet dogs, cats and ferrets abroad, and for bringing them into the UK changed.

This brings the UK into line with other EU Member States, and will make it easier for pet owners to take their pets abroad and then return them to the UK.

All pets entering the UK will still need to be microchipped and vaccinated against Rabies.

However under the new regulations pet dogs, cats and ferrets coming from other EU Member States, and listed approved countries, will not need a blood test and can enter the UK 21 days after their Rabies vaccination (rather than having to wait six months and provide proof of a positive titre blood test).

Previously pets were also required to be treated against Ticks and Tapeworms. The new regulations state that pets should be treated against Tapeworms 1-5 days before entry into the UK, but the Tick treatment is no longer necessary.

Pets entering the UK from non-approved countries will still require a blood test, which should be taken 30 days after Rabies vaccination, and 3 months before entry into the UK.

The upshot of this is that owners planning to take their pets to Europe, for holidays for instance, can now do this at much shorter notice (21 days as opposed to 7 months), and at less expense (no Rabies bloodtest required).

The concerns of the veterinary community however are that the risk of Rabies entering the UK has been increased, and the risk of tick-borne diseases not currently seen in the UK has also been increased.

For further details of the new Pet Travel regulations click the following links:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/publications/files/pb13582-bringing-pets-to-uk-111212.pdf

http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/pets/pet-owners/

If you are considering taking your pet abroad, please contact us and we will guide you through the regulations.