What is the Pet Travel Scheme?
The Pet travel scheme is a scheme that allows dogs, cats and ferrets to enter the UK from certain countries without having to serve full 6 months quarantine.
This scheme also means that owners in the United Kingdom can take their dogs, cats and ferrets to European Union countries and return to the UK without quarantine.
Owners will also be able to take their dogs, cats and ferrets to certain non European countries, again without the need to serve quarantine. The European regulation which sets the rules for dogs, cats and ferrets to travel between European Community countries and into the Community from other countries also covers the movement of Pet rabbits and rodents and other pets. Note: It is against the law in Great Britain to possess certain types and breeds of animals. Meeting the PETS requirements will not change that. The following procedure in place has to be obeyed in order for your dog to qualify for a Pet’s Passport scheme. The procedure required for the Pet Travel Scheme.
There are no exceptions for any of the steps outlined below. 1. Have your pet micro chipped.
This must be done before any of the other procedures can take place. 2. Have your pet vaccinated.
Your pet must be vaccinated against Rabies after the microchip has been fitted. This must be done even if your animal has a current Rabies vaccination. 3. Arrange a blood test.
After your animal has been vaccinated, a blood test must be carried out to make sure that the vaccination has given an acceptable level of protection against rabies. 4. Get PETS documentation.
If your animal is being prepared in an Eu country, you should get an Eu pet passport.
If your animal is being prepared in a non Eu listed country then you will need to obtain an official third country veterinary certificate.
Note that Gibraltar Norway, San Marino and Switzerland are also issuing passports. Animals can also enter the UK using a PETS certificate issued before 1 October 2004 until its “valid until” date. Certificates issued on or after that date will not be acceptable for entry to the UK. 5. Treat animals against ticks and a Tapeworm.
Before your Pet enters the UK, it must be treated against ticks and a Tapeworm. Your pet must be treated against ticks and tapeworms not less than 24 hours and not more than 48 hours before it is checked in with an approved transport company for the journey into the UK. 6. Arrange for approved animal travel.
Your pet must enter the UK from a listed country using an approved transport company that will use an authorised route. Remember that pets entering the UK will not be allowed to under the Pet travel Scheme until 6 calendar months have passed from the date a successful blood sample was taken. Pets that are resident in the UK can be issued with an export certificate after having a Microchip and a rabies vaccination. They can enter most EU countries 21 days after a successful rabies vaccination. Animals entering Malta or The Republic of Ireland other then direct from the UK and to enter, re enter the UK then your animal must have a blood test. This can be done before the animal leaves the UK or it can be done in a qualifying country. Pets entering Sweden must be treated for Tapeworm using a product containing praziquantel no more than 10 days before arrival. Cyprus also has certain additional entry requirements. Important, If you are taking your pet to North Cyprus then please see question 2 on the following link for important information you need to know about the area north of the buffer zone. http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/procedures/support-info/listq&a.htm#5 When entering a non-Eu listed country, pets my require an export health certificate or an import permit.
Some countries may require an animal to be vaccinated against Rabies within a specified time period before it arrives. | 
