The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS)

The Pet Travel Scheme (“PETS”) is, just as its name informs us, a scheme meant to permit animals to travel easily into and from associated states without going through quarantine. This system presupposes the existence of a Pet Passport whose role is to officially record information connected to a certain animal. The scheme results in significantly speeding up and simplifying journeys.

The Pet Travel Scheme was initially set up for the ASSISTANCE OF ANIMALS arriving into or leaving the United Kingdom from other European Union member states. It is widely known that the UK has always had very tough checks to protect against RABIES, a procedure that also included an obligatory 6 month period of quarantine on imports of various animals.

Thus, as of 1^st October 2001, a number of EU member states initiated this system which provided that the animals which were brought from any affiliated state may travel without restraint, provided that the procedure was followed accordingly and that the animal is carried on approved airlines.

How to enter or leave the UK with your pet?

As pointed out previously, each and every pet may enter or re-enter the United Kingdom from practically any state in the world with no quarantine if they comply with the rules of the PETS system. We need to note that these rules vary from state to state. Nevertheless, pets that move inside the UK (Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, included) do not have to observe these requirements.

However, in all the other cases, if the animals do not meet the terms of all these rules, they will have to withstand a period of quarantine until they do so. So, as soon as they are compliant, they may be released from quarantine. In so far as vaccines are concerned, animals may only be vaccinated against rabies as soon as they get to a minimum age. This age is always set in the vaccine manufacturer’s data sheet. Nonetheless, the usual age is three months.

How to get your dog, cat or ferret ready if you are travelling to the UK from a EU or listed non-EU country 

Step 1 – Microchip your pet – this is the first procedure which you need to consider. The microchip will help authorities to properly identify your pet.

Step 2 – Vaccinate  your pet– you need to vaccinate your pet against rabies. This procedure is mandatory even though your pet has a current rabies vaccination. Rabies boosters must be kept up to date.  Immediately after your pet has been vaccinated, make sure that your veterinary has recorded the subsequent information on you pet’s medical documents: date of birth/age, microchip number, when and where the microchip was inserted, vaccination date and product name, batch number, date its immunization vaccination is due.

Step 3 – Get the travel documentation ready – you need to get an EU pet passport. An Official Veterinarian (OV) will issue this document in UK.

Step 4 – Dog owners should not forget about the Tapeworm treatment   – this treatment is compulsory and has to be given by a veterinarian not less than 24 hours and not more than 120 hours before its planned entrance time in the UK. If you’re coming from Finland, Ireland, Malta or Norway, your dog is not required to be treated for tapeworms.

Step 5 – Use only an approved transport company on an authorized route – this is the only way your pet should travel. There transportation companies or routes have been approved by the Animal Health and Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) and are accountable for verifying that your Fido complies with the standards set in the Scheme. In case of pet travelling by plane, the company may assign those checks to a third party, i.e.  the Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow airport.

… from an unlisted non-EU country

Step 1 – Microchip your pet – this is the first procedure which you need to consider. The microchip will help authorities to properly identify your pet.

Step 2 – Vaccinate your pet– you need to vaccinate your pet against rabies. This procedure is mandatory even though your pet has a current rabies vaccination. Rabies boosters must be kept up to date.  Immediately after your pet has been vaccinated, make sure that your veterinary has recorded the subsequent information on you pet’s medical documents: date of birth/age, microchip number, when and where the microchip was inserted, vaccination date and product name, batch number, date its immunization vaccination is due.

Step 3 – Make plans for a blood test– the role of this test is to ensure that the vaccine really works, that is to check whether it is able to offer an acceptable level of protection against rabies. It will be taken at least 30 days after vaccination. You also need to wait for three months to get the test result. However, this waiting period does not apply if the animal was immunized in the EU and issued with an EU pet passport before it entered an unlisted country.

Step 4 – Get the travel documentation ready–You have to get an official third country veterinary certificate.

Step 5 – Don’t forget that your dog needs a Tapeworm treatment  – this treatment is obligatory and has to be given by a veterinarian not less than 24 hours and not more than 120 hours before its planned entrance time in the UK .

To conclude with, let’s just point out that you, as a PET OWNER, are responsible for making sure that your best friend observes all the rules for entering the UK. Keep yourself updated will all the current requirements and have the most worry-free flight!