PETS: What vets need to do - ferrets
Documentation
(a) EU pet passport
Issuing a passport
A passport may only be issued for a ferret if all of the following requirements are met:
- it shows no clinical signs of rabies
- you have read its microchip and the same number is shown on the vaccination record
- it has a current rabies vaccination given after it was microchipped
An official veterinary certificate headed “Veterinary certificate for pet dogs, cats and ferrets entering the European Community for non-commercial movements (Regulation (EC) No 998/2003)” issued in a non-EU listed country is acceptable as the basis for issuing a passport. It must be accompanied by the animal’s vaccination record, which must show the animal’s microchip number. The animal must have been revaccinated against rabies by the "valid until" date in section 4.
Validity of a passport (6 months rule and 21 day wait)
Where the 6 month rule applies, the passport will become valid for entry to the UK 6 calendar months from the date that the ferret was vaccinated against rabies. For example, if a vaccination is given on 1 January, the animal can enter the UK from 1 July. If the passport is issued after that 6 month period has passed, it will be immediately valid for entry to the UK.
Where the 6 month rule does not apply, the passport will become valid for entry to the UK 21 days from the date of the first rabies vaccination. It will also become valid for entry to other EU countries from the UK 21 days from the date of the first rabies vaccination. However, if the vaccine manufacturer’s data sheet requires more than one vaccination to complete the primary vaccination protocol, the 21 day wait applies from the date of the final vaccination of that protocol.
Passports will remain valid for entry to the UK up to the date the ferret's rabies booster vaccination is due (the "Valid until" date in section IV) (see the vaccination section for more details). This section also explains what to do if the booster has been missed.
Updating or replacing the passport
A vet (in Great Britain a Panel 2 LVI) must sign and stamp section IV of the passport each time a booster vaccination is given. When the passport is full, a new one should be issued.
If a passport is lost, a new one can be issued on the basis of supporting evidence of the ferret’s vaccination record showing the animal’s microchip number which must be checked.
(b) Issuinga third country official veterinary certificate
A third country official veterinary certificate may only be issued for a ferret to enter the UK if all of the following requirements are met:
- it shows no clinical signs of rabies
- you have read its microchip and the same number is shown on the vaccination record
- it has a current rabies vaccination given after it was microchipped
For entry into the UK this certificate can be issued by any vet in a non-EU listed country. It is headed “Veterinary certificate for domestic dogs, cats and ferrets entering the European Community for non-commercial movements (Regulation (EC) No 998/2003)”. The certificate must be a single sheet in English and may also contain a translation in another language. It must be completed in block letters in the language of the EU country of entry or in English.
You should complete sections I to IV of the certificate and enter your details in section V. If you are not a government-approved veterinarian, the certificate must also be dated and stamped by a veterinarian authorised by the competent authority.
Validity of the certificate
The certificate will not become valid for entry to the UK for
6 calendar months from the vaccination date shown in part IV. However,
it is only valid for entry to the EU and subsequent travel within the
EU for 4 months from the date it was signed or endorsed,
or until the “Valid until” date shown in part IV, whichever
is earlier. Ferret owners wishing to enter the UK with their
pet should therefore be encouraged to delay getting the certificate until
a month or two before they travel to ensure that it will still be valid
when they enter the UK.
Before entering the UK, ferrets must be treated
against ticks and tapeworms.
Page last modified: December 14, 2006