PETS: Questions and answers on documentation - Dogs and cats
EU pet passport
Q1. How can I get an EU pet passport?
A. In Great Britain, passports may only be issued by Panel 2 Local Veterinary Inspectors (LVIs).
Q2. When can I start using the passport?
A. They are valid for use now.
Q3. Will my passport get me into countries other than the UK.
A. You may use the passport to enter other EU countries and any other country that issues the document (e.g. Gibraltar, San Marino, Norway and Switzerland are doing so). For all these countries the passport has replaced the Animal Health Export certificate and the PETS 5 (for entry to France). No documentation is required to enter the Republic of Ireland when travelling direct from the UK although if you have PETS documentation you are advised to take this with you.Q4. From which countries can I use the passport to enter the UK or another EU country?
A. Any EU country or non-EU listed country.
Q5. What happens if I'm in an EU country that isn't yet ready to issue passports?
A. You can:
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travel to the UK via another qualifying PETS country that is issuing passports and get one there (you will need your pet's vaccination record and satisfactory blood test result, both of which must show your animal's microchip number plus your pet's date of microchipping); or
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before travelling to the UK, arrange to license your pet into quarantine on its arrival with a view to obtaining its early release. You will need to bring with you your pet's vaccination record and satisfactory blood test result, both of which must show your animal's microchip number. Your pet can be treated for ticks and tapeworms while it is in quarantine.
Q6. What happens if I'm travelling from a country from which there is no approved route into the UK?
A. You can:
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travel via another qualifying PETS country which does have an approved route to the UK and use that; or
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before travelling to the UK, arrange to license your pet into quarantine on its arrival with a view to obtaining its early release. You will need to bring with you your pet's documentation (either the passport, PETS certificate or third country official veterinary certificate or, if you have none of these, its vaccination record and satisfactory blood test result, both of which must show your animal's microchip number). Your pet can be treated for ticks and tapeworms while it is in quarantine.
If your pet enters on a sea route, you must obtain a letter signed by the Master of the Vessel or a representative of the shipping company to confirm that the animal did not leave the ship and was kept separate from other animals during the voyage.
Q7. What happens if I lose my pet’s passport?
A. If you lose the passport you may apply to a vet for a new one. In Great Britain, this must be a Local Veterinary Inspector. Take your pet’s vaccination record and blood test result, both of which must show your pet’s microchip number, and your pet with you.
Q8. What happens when the passport is full?
A. When the passport is full, you should apply to a vet for a new one. In Great Britain, this must be a Local Veterinary Inspector. Take the full passport and your pet with you.
Third country official veterinary certificate
Q1. How can I get an third country official veterinary certificate?
A.You should apply to your vet.
Q2. When can I start using the certificate?
A. See answer 7.
Q3. Will my certificate get me into countries other than the UK?
A. You may use the certificate to enter any other EU countries.
Q4. From which countries can I use the certificate to enter the UK?
A. For entry to the UK the certificate must be issued in a non-EU listed country.
Q5. What happens if I can't get a certificate before I travel to the UK with my dog or cat?
A. If you have a valid PETS certificate you will be able to use that. This must have been issued before 1 October 2004.
Otherwise, you could:
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travel to another EU country and get a passport while you are there (you should check whether they are available (take with you your pet's vaccination record and satisfactory blood test result, both of which must show your animal's microchip number, plus your pet's date of microchipping)); or
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travel to another non-EU listed country and obtain an official third country veterinary certificate there (take with you your pet's vaccination record and satisfactory blood test result, both of which must show your animal's microchip number, plus your pet's date of microchipping); or
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before you travel, arrange to license your pet into quarantine on its arrival in the UK with a view to obtaining its early release. You will need to bring with you your pet's documentation (either the passport, PETS certificate or third country official veterinary certificate or, if you have none of these, its vaccination record and satisfactory blood test result, both of which must show your animal's microchip number). Your pet can be treated for ticks and tapeworms while it is in quarantine.
Q6. What happens if I'm travelling from a country from which there is no approved route into the UK?
A. You can:
-
travel via another qualifying PETS country which does have an approved route to the UK and use that; or
-
before travelling to the UK, arrange to license your pet into quarantine on its arrival with a view to obtaining its early release. You will need to bring with you your pet's documentation (either the passport, PETS certificate or third country official veterinary certificate or, if you have none of these, its vaccination record and satisfactory blood test result, both of which must show your animal's microchip number). Your pet can be treated for ticks and tapeworms while it is in quarantine.
If your pet enters on a sea route, you must obtain a letter signed by the Master of the Vessel or a representative of the shipping company to confirm that the animal did not leave the ship and was kept separate from other animals during the voyage.
Q7. How long will the certificate be valid for?
A. The certificate is only valid for entry to the EU and subsequent travel within the EU for 4 calendar months from the date it was signed or endorsed, or until the “valid until” date shown in part IV, whichever is earlier. However, please note that the certificate will not become valid for entry to the UK for 6 calendar months from the date the blood sample was taken shown in section V. You should therefore delay getting the certificate until a month or two before you travel to ensure that it will still be valid when you enter the UK.
Q8. What happens when my certificate expires?
A. If the certificate expires while you are in the EU, and you wish to continue to travel with your pet, you will need to ask a vet to issue a European pet passport. In addition to the certificate, you must provide the vet with your pet’s original vaccination record and blood test result (or with certified copies). Make sure your pet is revaccinated against rabies by the “valid until” date in section IV of the certificate.
Official PETS certificate
Q1. Can I still get a PETS certificate?
A. No. Only PETS certificates issued before 1 October 2004 will be accepted for entry to the UK. You should obtain an EU pet passport if you are resident in an EU country or a third country official veterinarian certificate if you are resident in a non-EU qualifying country.
Q2. For how long can I use my PETS certificate to enter the UK/EU?
A. The last day on which a valid Pets Certificate (in the UK a PETS 1) may be used for dogs and cats to enter the UK was September 30th 2007. After which, a pet passport will be required.
Q3. Will I still be able to obtain a tick and tapeworm certificate in other PETS countries for my pet to enter the UK?
A. The last day in which a tick and tapeworm treatment certificate (in the UK a PETS 2) may be used for dogs and cats to enter the UK was September 30th 2007. After which, a pet passport will be required.
Q4. Can I renew my PETS certificate?
A. The last day in which a tick and tapeworm treatment certificate (in the UK a PETS 2) may be used for dogs and cats to enter the UK was September 30th 2007. After which, a pet passport will be required.
Q5. What happens if I'm travelling from a country from which there is no approved route into the UK?
A. You can:
-
travel via another qualifying PETS country which does have an approved route to the UK and use that; or
-
before travelling to the UK, arrange to license your pet into quarantine on its arrival with a view to obtaining its early release. You will need to bring with you your pet's documentation (either the passport, PETS certificate or official third country veterinary certificate or, if you have none of these, its vaccination record and satisfactory blood test result, both of which must show your animal's microchip number). Your pet can be treated for ticks and tapeworms while it is in quarantine.
If your pet enters on a sea route where the ship calls at one or more unlisted countries, you must obtain a letter signed by the Master of the Vessel or a representative of the shipping company to confirm that the animal did not leave the ship and was kept separate from other animals during the voyage.
Q6. Will I still need to obtain a Declaration of residence form (PETS 3)?
A. No. You will no longer to need to complete this form.
Page last modified: October 11, 2007