The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) permits the entry of pet animals from certain countries into the UK without quarantine, as long as they meet the requirements. It also entitles people in the UK to take their pets to European Union (EU) and other participating countries, and return with them to the UK, without quarantine.
It is strongly recommended that you visit the PETS website for the most updated information about the scheme and for a list of the current qualifying countries.
To obtain a Pet Passport, your pet must be:
- Microchipped with an ISO standard microchip, prior to rabies vaccination
- Vaccinated against rabies with an approved vaccine
- Blood tested1 to ensure that they sufficient antibodies against the rabies vaccine (This is performed 14-30 days after the rabies vaccination)
- A Pet Passport can then be issued from an authorised LVI vet
Home Visit Vet is able to perform all the above requirements, and, being an LVI (Local Veterinary Inspector), Caroline is authorised to issue pet passports.
Owners that are taking their pets abroad and plan to return them to the UK need be aware that their pet cannot enter the UK until 6 months after a successful rabies blood test2. Thus, if applying for a pet passport for the first time, be aware that your pet cannot enter the UK for a minimum of 6 ½ months from the initial rabies vaccination.
This is why it is recommended to start planning at least 8 months in advance.
Returning to the UK
Once your pet has a Pet Passport, it can come back to the UK providing:
- At least 6 months has passed from the date of the successful rabies blood test.
- 24-48 hours before it is checked in for the return journey to the UK, a suitably qualified veterinarian treats your pet against ticks and tapeworm, with certification of this.
- Your pet has not been outside any of the PETS qualifying countries in the 6 months before it enters the UK
- Your pet is travelling on an authorised route with an approved transport company
Failure to adhere to these precise requirements can result in your pet being impounded or quarantined.
Passport validity – a very important note
The Pet Passport has an expiry date which is linked to its rabies booster vaccination, which in turn is linked to the manufacturer’s recommended interval. It is important that your pet has its rabies booster vaccination before or on the date of passport expiry (the rabies booster vaccination date). Failure to do so will invalidate the current passport and the process of revaccinating, blood testing and the 6 months “waiting period”2 commences again.
1 It is inevitable that a small percentage of pets fail the blood test. If your pet is one of the unfortunate few, he/she will need to be revaccinated and re-blood tested.
2 The 6-month “waiting period” does not apply to pets not returning to the UK, and such pets can enter qualifying EU and other participating countries after a rabies vaccination.
