PETS: How to bring your ferret into or back into the UK under the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS)
Pet ferrets that are resident in either the United Kingdom or one of the other qualifying (listed) countries can enter or re-enter the UK without quarantine provided they meet the rules of the Scheme.
Ferrets which do not meet all the rules must be licensed into quarantine. They might then be able to obtain early release if they can be shown to comply with the necessary PETS requirements.
Ferrets from unlisted countries must spend 6 months in quarantine on arrival in the UK.
To bring your ferret into the UK under PETS from one of the listed countries you must have it first microchipped and then vaccinated against rabies.
There are no requirements for pets travelling directly between the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
This page gives a short summary of the PETS rules. Each title is a link to more detailed information. Please make sure that you have read and understood all of these pages before you bring your pet into or back into the UK. If you are bringing your pet to the UK from a non-EU listed country or territory, there is some more information that you must read.
Where PETS procedures can be carried out.
Your ferret can be fitted with a microchip in any country. The rabies vaccination (including boosters), issuing the PETS documentation and the tick and tapeworm treatment must all be carried out in the UK or any of the other qualifying countries.
Please be aware of the six month rule for entry or re-entry to the UK and the 21 day wait from the date your pet is vaccinated against rabies.
The procedures:
Have your pet microchipped
Before any of the other procedures for pets are carried out, your ferret must be fitted with a microchip so that it can be properly identified.
Have your pet vaccinated
After the microchip has been fitted your ferret must be vaccinated against rabies.
Get PETS documentation
For ferrets being prepared in an EU country, you should get an EU pet passport. If you are preparing your animal in a non-EU listed country you will need to obtain a third country official veterinary certificate. Gibraltar, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland are also issuing passports.
Before your ferret enters the UK, it must be treated against ticks and tapeworms
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 its journey into the UK.
Arrange for your animal to travel with an approved transport company on an authorised route
Your pet must enter the UK from a listed country travelling with an approved transport company on an authorised route
Countries eligible for PETS
Use the checklist when preparing your pet
Page last modified: November 13, 2006