PETS: Early release from quarantine
What does early release mean?
All dogs, cats and ferrets imported into the UK which do not meet the requirements of the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) must enter quarantine. Animals may be quarantined after failing a PETS check carried out by a Defra or SEERAD approved carrier, or a spot check carried out by Animal Health (formerly State Veterinary Service). These animals may become eligible for early release if the failure can subsequently be put right. An animal which is in quarantine will become eligible for early release from the date that it can be shown to comply with all the necessary rules of PETS.
Which animals might be eligible for early release?
- A dog, cat or ferret that enters the UK using an unapproved transport
company or route may become eligible for early release from quarantine
if it can be shown to meet all the other rules of the Scheme.
- Dogs or cats that enter the UK but which will not meet the PETS rules
until six calendar months have elapsed from the date a blood sample
was taken that gave a satisfactory test result. A pet owner can import
a dog or cat into quarantine while waiting for the remainder of the
6 months to elapse.
- Ferrets that enter the UK but which will not meet the PETS rules
until six calendar months have elapsed since the date of the first rabies
vaccination after the pet was microchipped. A pet owner can import a
ferret into quarantine while waiting for the remainder of the 6 months
to elapse.
- Dogs, cats and ferrets that enter the UK without an official PETS
documentation but which can be shown from other documentation to meet
the rules.
- Dogs, cats and ferrets that enter the UK without having had the tick and tapeworm treatment or that don't have an official record of treatment. Pets can have the treatment done when in quarantine. They must stay in quarantine for 24 hours after the treatment is given.
Bring your animal's documentation, including its vaccination record and, for dogs and cats, blood test result with you to support a request for early release.
If you want to bring your pet into the UK using an unapproved transport company or route if, or your pet does not yet meet the PETS rules and you want to bring it to the UK now, you must obtain an import licence and arrange for your pet to go into quarantine. It is illegal to bring a cat or dog into the country without a licence unless it is brought in meeting the PETS rules by an approved transport company on an authorised route.
How to apply for early release from quarantine
Applicants must complete a form ID91 which must be countersigned by the Veterinary Superintendent of the quarantine premises where the animal is held. Copies of this form are available from Veterinary Superintendents and us. If the animal complies with the PETS rules it should take us no more than 2 or 3 working days to issue the authorisation for release.
Further information
If you want more information about applying for an import licence or the early release of an animal from quarantine in England please ring Defra on + 44 (0) 1245 358383, or if entering Scotland ring SEERAD on + 44 (0) 131 556 8400. For quarantine in Northern Ireland contact DARD on 02890 524622. If you want more information about the PETS rules, please ring the PETS Helpline on 0870 241 1710.
- Questions and answers on quarantine and
early release.
Page last modified: April 26, 2007