PETS: What vets need to do - dogs and cats
Procedures for dogs and cats
- Microchip identification
- Vaccination against rabies
- Blood testing and the 6 month rule
- Documentation and the 21 day wait
- Guidance notes on completing passports
- Notes for dog and cat owners taking
their pet abroad
(33
KB) - Pet passport control sheet
(18 KB)
- Treatment against ticks and tapeworms
- Listed countries
A pet cat or dog, including guide and hearing dogs, must 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 on the vaccine manufacturer's data sheet)
- Blood tested at an EU-approved laboratory and get a satisfactory result
- Issued with an EU pet passport or, in a non-EU listed country, a third country official veterinary certificate.
- Treated against ticks and tapeworms.
For dogs and cats entering or re-entering 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.
A dog or cat may not enter or re-enter the UK under PETS until 6 calendar months have passed from the date that the blood sample which gave a satisfactory test result was taken.
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.
There are no requirements for dogs and cats travelling directly between the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
What vets can do
Any registered veterinary surgeon can microchip, vaccinate and arrange blood testing and record the details of microchipping and the vaccination 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 Veterinarian" to verify the details given about the rabies vaccination. Panel 2 LVIs must also complete all details required in section V on the blood test. The guidance accompanying the passport explains these responsibilities in more detail.
Where PETS procedures can be carried out
Pets can be implanted with a microchip in any country. The rabies vaccination (including boosters), blood sampling, issuing of documentation, the tick and tapeworm treatment and (if necessary) issuing the official certificate of tick and tapeworm treatment must all be carried out in the UK or another qualifying country.
Taking dogs and cats out of the UK
A dog or cat can be issued with a passport after being fitted with a microchip and vaccinated against rabies. It can then enter most other EU countries 21 days after the date of the rabies vaccination. However to enter Malta, and the Republic of Ireland other than direct from the UK, and to enter or re-enter the UK, it must have a blood test. This can be done before the animal leaves the UK or while it is in another qualifying country. To enter Sweden a pet must also be treated for tapeworms using a product containing praziquantel no more than 10 days before entering that country. The Swedish Authorities do not require cats or dogs to be treated for ticks and tapeworms if they are being imported directly into Sweden by boat or air from the UK or Ireland. We also understand that Cyprus also has additional entry requirements. There is also important information a pet owner should know if they are taking their pet to north Cyprus (the area north of the Buffer Zone).
To enter a non-EU listed country, pets 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.
It is the responsibility of pet owners to ensure that they meet the entry requirements of the country to which they wish to take their pet. They can obtain more advice on taking their pet from the UK to other countries from their local Animal Heath Divisional Office.
Health and welfare of pets abroad
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 from exotic diseases and parasites (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. If you suspect or diagnose an exotic disease, please report it through the DACTARI scheme which has been set up to record such diseases.
Owners are also recommended to consider their pet’s welfare needs when travelling abroad and whether it will benefit from travelling with them. A welfare leaflet on travelling with dogs and cats is available.
Page last modified: April 10, 2008