The Procedures
Microchip
• Your pet must be fitted with a microchip which meets ISO
Standard 11784/11785
• The microchips which the clinic uses conform to these standards
• If your pet was fitted with a microchip which does not meet
one of these standards, it may not be possible to read the microchip.
You are then required to provide a microchip reader yourself, to
enable it to be read.
• If a microchip cannot be read, we cannot proceed with the
PETS scheme until the problem is resolved
Rabies Vaccination
• Pets must be at least 3 months old before being vaccinated
• We use a vaccine made by Intervet UK called Nobivac Rabies
• If only one rabies vaccination is given, the chances of
your pet failing the blood test are about 5%. If two rabies vaccinations
are given (separated by 2 weeks), the chances of failure are reduced
to about 0.1%. The clinic recommends two rabies vaccinations for
young and older animals.
• With the Nobivac Rabies vaccine, a booster is required after
three years in both dogs and cats
• If the booster date is missed, and for re-entry to the UK,
your pet will have to be vaccinated and blood tested again, and
the 6 month rule will apply from the date the new blood sample is
taken
Blood testing
• A blood test is only necessary if your pet is entering or
re-entering the UK
• The blood test is taken to make sure that the vaccine has
worked
• The best time for the blood test is 4 weeks after the last
rabies vaccination
• The blood sample is sent to an EU-approved laboratory and
the results take about two weeks. We will give you a call once the
results are received at the clinic
• A satisfactory blood test results will show that the rabies
antibody titre was equal to or more than 0.5 IU/ml
• If your pet fails the blood test, it must be repeated after
repeat vaccination. The 6-month rule still applies – i.e.
re-entry to the UK can only happen 6 months after a blood test which
shows a satisfactory result.
• No further blood tests are required following a satisfactory
result, provided that your pet is re-vaccinated against rabies by
the required date
EU pet passport
• If you are not going to re-enter the UK, a pet passport
can be issued after the microchip and rabies vaccination. For most
EU countries, you have to wait 21 days after the final rabies vaccination
before your pet can enter these countries.
• If you are going to re-enter the UK, a passport is issued
after the results of a satisfactory blood test. Remember that the
passport cannot be used to enter the UK under PETS until 6 calendar
months after the date of a satisfactory blood test. The passport
can continue to be used to re-enter the UK provided your pet is
re-vaccinated against rabies by the ‘Valid Until’ date
in Section IV of the passport.
• The passport can only be issued by a Local Veterinary Inspector
(LVI). There are two LVIs at the clinic – Brandon Spolander
and Steven Rennie.
• Each time a rabies booster vaccination is given to your
pet an LVI must sign and stamp section IV of the passport
• If a passport is lost, a new one can be issued on the basis
of supporting evidence (vaccination record, blood test result, correct
microchip number)
The clinic takes the utmost care in filling out the details contained
in the passport. Our standard procedure is to double check, with
the owner, all the details contained within the passport when it
is issued. We ask you to ensure that the passport is correctly completed
and that your pet meets all the rules. If you do not, your pet may
not be able to enter the country or may have to be licensed into
quarantine on arrival in the UK.
Treatment against ticks and tapeworms
• Before re-entering the UK under PETS, your pet must be treated
by a vet against ticks and the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis
• The treatment must be carried out not less than 24 hours
and not more than 48 hours before the pet is checked-in to travel
back into the UK
• The treatment must be done every time a pet enters the UK
• The product used for tapeworm treatment must contain praziquantel
• The product used for tick treatment must be licensed for
use against ticks. Tick collars are not acceptable.
• The treatment is necessary to stop the tapeworm and certain
ticks entering the UK. These parasites can carry diseases which
can infect other animals and humans causing illness and sometimes
death. Please see a later section for health advice and parasite
treatment whilst your pet is in a foreign country.
• If your pet is leaving the UK on a day-trip the treatment
must be given in the UK at an appropriate time to meet the requirement
• The treatment is recorded in the passport in sections VI
and VII. The vet must record the date and time of treatment, the
name of the product used and its manufacturer. The vet must also
stamp and sign the passport. Make sure all these details are correctly
recorded before you leave the vet.
Taking your pet out of Great Britain
EU Countries
• To travel from the UK to another EU country, your pet must
be microchipped (although some countries accept a tattoo), vaccinated
against rabies (although Sweden does not require this when a pet
travels direct from the UK) and issued with an EU pet passport
• Malta has additional requirements (requires a blood test)
• To enter Sweden a pet must be treated for tapeworms with
a product containing praziquantel no more than 10 days before entry
• The clinic strongly advises owners to contact their local
Animal Health Divisional Officer or the authorities of the country
they wish to enter to check the requirements
• There are no requirements for pets travelling directly between
the UK and the Republic of Ireland
• For EU countries where more stringent requirements do not
apply, the pet can enter the country 21 days from the date of the
last rabies vaccination. Booster vaccinations are valid for entry
from the date they are given, provided they are given on time.
Non-EU listed countries
• To enter a non-EU listed country that does not accept an
EU pet passport, your pet may need an export health certificate
or an import permit
• Some countries may require your pet to have been vaccinated
against rabies within a specified period before it arrives. Other
treatments may also be necessary.
• The clinic is unable to give advice on such matters. You
must contact the local Animal Health Divisional Office.
Residence
• If your pet stays in another EU or non-EU listed country,
it may become subject to that country’s rules on residence.
For example, pets in France become resident after 3 months.
• The clinic is unable to give advice on such matters. You
must contact the authorities of the country to check what the rules
are and what implications this has for you and your pet.
Health Issues
Fitness to travel
• If your pet is being transported with an approved transport
company you may be asked to provide a ‘Fitness to Travel Certificate’
• The clinic is able to provide such certificates. We would
need to perform a clinical examination of your pet within a specified
time period before issuing the certificate.
Parasite prevention whilst abroad
• There are a number of parasitic diseases which the travelling
pet is at risk from
• These diseases are rare in the UK and mainly seen in animals
which have travelled abroad
• Heartworm is a parasitic disease seen in both cats and dogs
in which a worm lives inside the heart and blood vessels. It is
mainly spread by mosquitoes. The disease is common in Southern Europe,
especially around the Mediterranean, Italy, southern France and
Spain. We recommend the use of ‘Stronghold’ for all
dogs and cats travelling to affected areas.
• There are a number of diseases (such as Babesiosis and Ehrlichiosis)
which are spread by ticks. Also there is a disease called Leishmaniasis
which is spread by sandflies and found particularly around the Mediterranean.
Both the tick borne diseases and Leishmaniasis can be prevented
by using a ‘Scalibor collar’ The collar can only be
used in dogs, and helps to control infestations with ticks and sandflies.
The clinic recommends the use of Scalibor collars for all dogs travelling
to affected areas.
Where to get more information
PETS
• Website: www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm
• Phone: 0870 241 1710 (Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5pm)
• Fax: 020 7904 6206
Quarantine
• Website: www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/rabies/default.htm
• Phone: 020 7904 6222
• Fax: 020 7904 6834
Local Animal Health Divisional Office
• Address: 105 Bell Street, Reigate, Surrey, RH2 7JB
• Phone: 01737 242 242
• Fax: 01737 241 189
The Listed Countries
• UK-resident pets can travel to any of the countries
listed below and return to the UK under PETS
• Pets coming into the UK from any of these countries can
also enter the UK under PETS
• Animals must not have been outside any of these countries
in the six calendar months before travelling to the UK
• All pets entering the UK under PETS must do so using an
approved transport company and route
• Please note that this information is subject to change.
For the latest information, the clinic advises you to see the PETS
website or ring the PETS helpline.
EU countries and territories
Austria Faroe Islands Ireland Poland
Azores Finland Italy Portugal
Balearic Islands France Latvia Reunion
Belgium French Guiana Lithuania Slovakia
Canary Islands Germany Luxembourg Slovenia
Ceuta Gibraltar Madeira Spain
Cyprus Greece Malta Sweden
Czech Republic Greenland Martinique
Denmark Guadeloupe Melilla
Estonia Hungary Netherlands
Please note:
• Pets prepared for PETS in, or returning under PETS to the
UK from the Republic of Cyprus may enter or re-enter the UK without
quarantine. However, as at February 2005, PETS compliant animals
travelling from north Cyprus (the area north of the buffer zone)
must be licensed into quarantine for 6 months on arrival in the
UK
• Guadeloupe includes St Barthelemy and St Martin (French
part of the island)
• There are no requirements for pets travelling directly between
the UK and the Republic of Ireland
Non-EU listed countries and territories
Andorra Croatia Mauritius St Pierre & Miquelon
Antigua & Barbuda Falkland Islands Mayotte St Vincent
Aruba Fiji Monaco San Marino
Ascension Island French Polynesia Montserrat Singapore
Australia Grenadines Netherlands Antilles Switzerland
Bahrain Hawaii New Caledonia Taiwan
Barbados Hong Kong New Zealand United Arab Emirates
Bermuda Iceland Norway USA (mainland)
Canada Jamaica Russian Federation Vanuatu
Cayman Islands Japan St Helena Vatican
Chile Liechtenstein St Kitts & Nevis Wallis & Futuna
Please note:
• Jamaican law, as at February 2005 prevents their involvement
in PETS
Pets travelling within the British Isles
• Pets in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Republic
of Ireland can travel freely between these countries without the
need for any documentation
• Owners of pets entering the Channel Islands or the Republic
of Ireland from outside the British Isles should contact the appropriate
authorities in those countries for advice on approved routes and
any other requirements
How to travel
• You must use an approved route and transport company to
bring your pet into the UK under PETS
• If there is no authorised route from your country you may
travel to another EU country and enter on a listed route from there
• Pets travelling by ferry or rail must accompany passengers
with a vehicle unless otherwise shown on the list
• On most air routes, pets will travel as cargo
• Routes may change and new ones may be added. For the latest
information see the PETS website or ring the PETS Helpline. Remember
that some routes are seasonal or irregular.
• If your pet enters the UK with an unapproved transport company
or on an unauthorised route, you will need to arrange for it to
be licensed into quarantine on arrival with a view to obtaining
its early release
• Any pet entering the UK, which does not meet all the PETS
rules, must be licensed into quarantine. It may be released from
the date it can be shown to comply with the rules. You must meet
the costs of quarantine
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