Travelling Abroad With Your Pet – Rules And Regulations.
The pet travel laws in the UK have been changed recently in keeping with the European Union for travel to countries in the passport scheme. Provided they meet the rules of the scheme, all pets travelling into or out of the UK from any country in the world will not need to go into quarantine. The rules differ depending on the country, so you do need to check before travelling. Just click here to find out more.
You now are required to have a working microchip, a rabies vaccine and then your pet is able to travel out of the UK 21 days after that. Return to the UK requires a tapeworm treatment to be recorded in the passport between one and five days before presentation at the port of entry to the UK.
Have your pet microchipped – Your first step is to fit your pet with a microchip that will identify it before any of the other procedures for pet travel are carried out.
Have your pet vaccinated – Once your pet has a microchip, it must be vaccinated against rabies. This second step is exremely important and must be done, even if your pet has a current rabies vaccination. The length of the waiting period before travelling is 21 days after the first vaccination date. A waiting period is not required for subsequent entries into the UK, provided rabies boosters are kept completely up to date.Always make certain that the Rabies boosters are kept completely up to date.
Obtain pet travel documentation – For animals travelling within the EU countries, you will need to get an EU pet passport. If you are preparing to travel with your animal in a non-EU listed country or territory you are required to obtain an official third country veterinary certificate (except Croatia, Gibraltar, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland who also issue pet passports).
Tapeworm treatment (applicable to dogs only) – Prioe to entering the UK, all pet dogs (including assistance dogs) must be treated for tapeworm. The treatment must be administered by a vet, no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours (1-5 days) before its scheduled arrival time in the UK. There is no mandatory requirement for tick treatment. No treatment is necessary for dogs entering the UK from Finland, Ireland or Malta.
Specialist Treatments – These may not be as readily available overseas so it would be wise to have your pet examined before you go on abroad. If you are looking for this kind of animal care London has many excellent veterinary clinics that can do the job.
