The Pet Travel Scheme

The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) allows dogs and cats to enter the UK from certain countries without having to spend 6 months in quarantine, provided that certain requirements have been met.

Whats involved in obtaining a Pet Passport?

Microchip
Firstly your pet must have a microchip fitted.
A small microchip is injected into the pet in much the same way as your vet would administer a vaccination. This must be done before the rabies vaccination and blood test. Click here for information

Rabies Vaccination
Your pet is then vaccinated against Rabies.  We recommend an initial course of 2 inoculations with a  2 week interval between them, in order to ensure an adequate antibody titre on the blood test. You will need to have regular Rabies boosters to maintain your passport.

Rabies Antibody Titre Blood Test
One month after the second Rabies Vaccination a sample of your pets blood is taken and sent away to a laboratory to be tested to see if sufficient antibodies have been produced.

The issue of the Pet Passport
Once sufficient antibody levels have been achieved your vet will issue you with your pets passort. The passport allows your pet to leave the U.K. but your pet cannot return to the U.K. until six months after a successful blood sample result.Your passport can be renewed  by administering a rabies booster vaccine before the expiry date on the passport.

Planning your Holiday

• Apply for your passport early  - at least 8 months before your return trip to the U.K. is planned.
• Check the country you plan to visit is part of the Pet Travel Scheme. You can do this by visiting the DEFRA website: http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/pets/index.htm
• Some countires have additional requirments, please check requirments for individual countries at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/pets/index.htm 
• Additional disease prevention measures may be needed in certain countries. Please contact us to discuss requirements at least 1 month before travelling. 
• Your pet must be treated by a vet for ticks and tapeworms between 24 and 48 hours before your pet is checked in to travel on an approved route into the U.K.