Do I Need A Pet Passport?
You can use your pet’s passport to travel abroad as long as their rabies vaccine remains in date. If your pet misses a booster you won’t be able to travel for 21 days.
The Pets Travel Scheme (PETS) has been operating since February 2000 and means that with a Pet Passport your pet can re-enter the UK from the EU without having to be quarantined, making the possibility of holidaying abroad with your pets a real one! On 1st January 2012, PETS changed to harmonise the UK’s regulations with the rest of the EU.
The main purpose of the scheme is to keep the UK free from Rabies and certain other foreign diseases that are transmitted by biting insects and ticks. Our pets are susceptible to these exotic diseases which in most cases are not easily treated and can often prove fatal.
We would therefore recommend that you book an appointment at your local Vets to apply in good time for them to issue your pet with a Pet Passport and advise you on parasite treatment required for travelling.
It is also a good idea to contact the Pet Travel Scheme helpline (0370 241 1710) prior to making any travel plans to discuss any recent changes or specific restrictions regarding the country you are travelling to.
Before you go, make sure you check whether you are travelling to an EU or listed non-EU country or an unlisted non-EU country. Travel to and from unlisted non-EU countries tends to be more complicated than just obtaining a Pet Passport so make sure you check all the requirements ahead of time.
A Pet Passport is required to re-enter to the UK from an EU or listed non-EU. You will need to make sure your pet:
- has been issued with a Pet Passport
- has had a microchip implanted
- is at least 15 weeks old at time of travelling
- is vaccinated against rabies
- has been treated for tapeworm (dogs only)
To find out which countries are listed and which are not, please visit:
www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/pets/countries/