PETS: What vets need to do - ferrets
Procedures for ferrets
- Microchip identification
- Questions and answers on microchips
- Vaccination against rabies
- The 6 month rule
- Documentation and the 21 day wait
- Treatment against ticks and tapeworms
- Listed countries
A pet ferret will have to meet certain conditions to be able to enter or re-enter the UK without quarantine. It will have to be:
- Identified with a microchip.
- Vaccinated against rabies (in accordance with the recommendation of the vaccine manufacturer's data sheet).
- Issued with an EU pet passport.
- Treated against ticks and tapeworms.
For a ferret to enter or re-enter the UK these steps must be carried out in the order shown. Use the links above for more detailed information on each of these steps.
The 6 month rule for ferrets entering or re-entering the UK
The rules are to protect human and animal health and to reduce the risk of importing rabies into the UK. Animals not meeting all the rules must be licensed into quarantine.
What vets can do
Any registered veterinary surgeon can microchip, vaccinate and record the details in the passport. They can also carry out, record and verify the tick and tapeworm treatment. In Great Britain, only Panel 2 Local Veterinary Inspectors (LVI) may complete the boxes in section IV of the passport headed "Authorised Veterinarians" to verify the details given about the rabies vaccination.
Where PETS procedures can be carried out
Ferrets can be implanted with a microchip in any country. The rabies vaccination (including boosters), issuing of documentation and the tick and tapeworm treatment must all be carried out in the UK or another listed country.
Taking ferrets out of the UK
A ferret can be issued with a passport after being fitted with a microchip and vaccinated against rabies. It can then enter other EU countries 21 days after the the date of the rabies vaccination.
To enter a non-EU listed country, ferrets may need an export health certificate or an import permit. Some of these countries may require an animal to have been vaccinated against rabies within a specified period before it arrives so you might need to revaccinate some pets against rabies before the booster is due.
Pet owners should obtain more advice on taking their ferret from the UK to other countries from their local Animal Heath Divisional Office.
Health and welfare of pets
We advise owners to consult their vet about their pet’s fitness to travel abroad and to ask about any preventative treatment against the risk of infection (e.g. for heartworm) depending on where it is going.
If a pet becomes ill after returning to Great Britain, please ask the owner where it has been so that you can consider diseases not normally found here.
Owners are also recommended to consider their pet’s welfare needs
when travelling abroad and whether it will benefit from travelling with
them.
Page last modified: January 23, 2007