PETS: How to bring your ferret into or back into the UK without quarantine
Have your ferret vaccinated against rabies and the 21 day wait
When to vaccinate
Your ferret must be vaccinated against rabies in accordance with the recommendation on the vaccine manufacturer's data sheet. This can be done any time after it has been implanted with a microchip. Before vaccinating your pet, make sure your vet reads its microchip number and enters it on your pet’s vaccination record.
If your ferret has been vaccinated against rabies before it was identified by a microchip, it will have to be vaccinated again. This is to make sure that your pet is correctly identified when it is vaccinated.
21 day wait
For EU countries where more stringent entry requirements do not apply, the EU has introduced a wait of 21 days from the date of the first rabies vaccination before a pet can enter those EU countries. However, if the vaccine manufacturer’s data sheet requires more than one vaccination to complete the primary course of vaccinations, the 21 day wait applies from the date of the final vaccination of that course. Your vet will advise you further.
Vaccination record
When your ferret is vaccinated, make sure that your vet has recorded the following details on its vaccination record and passport or third country official veterinary certificate:
- its date of birth/age
- the microchip number, date of insertion and location in the animal
- the date of vaccination
- the vaccine product name
- the batch number
- the date its booster vaccination is due (calculated by reference to the vaccine manufacturer's data sheet)
Booster vaccinations
After your ferret has been vaccinated it will need regular booster vaccinations. These must be given by the “Valid until” date in section IV of the EU pet passport or third country official veterinary certificate.
Booster vaccinations are valid for entry from the date given provided they are given on time (according to the instructions in the vaccine manufacturer’s data sheet where the previous vaccination was given).
Since it may take time for some EU Member States to adopt this change into their import legislation, pet owners are advised to contact the authorities of the relevant EU country to confirm the appropriate timing of the rabies vaccination under their current import regulations.
Missed boosters
If the revaccination date is missed, your ferret will not meet the conditions of the Scheme and will have to be vaccinated again. The 6 month rule will apply, if appropriate, from the date of the new vaccination. To travel to an EU country following a missed booster, the 21 day wait will apply. If your ferret always has its booster on time, it will not be subject to a further 21 day or 6 months wait.
Next steps
For animals being prepared in the EU (including the UK), you can get
an EU pet passport
after your pet has been microchipped and vaccinated. In non-EU
listed countries you should get a third
country official veterinary certificate. These documents will allow
your pet to enter most EU countries, subject to the 21 day wait. Check
whether the 6 month
rule applies for entering the UK.
Page last modified: January 2, 2007