Rabies quarantine in the United Kingdom is for dogs, cats and ferrets and other rabies susceptible animals that do not qualify for entry into the UK under the Pet Travel Scheme. Pet mammals that do not qualify to enter the UK under the Pet Travel Scheme may not be imported into the UK country unless an import licence has been issued in advance. This requires your pet to be detained, at your expense, at an approved quarantine premises until it has met the entry requirements under the Pet Travel Scheme However it can be released at any time for immediate re-export.

Pets that are not accompanied by their owners when they enter the UK under licence for quarantine from third countries outside of the European Union (see Countries and Territories) may only do so via approved Border Inspection Posts (BIPs). For the UK, these are currently London Heathrow or London Gatwick Airport.

The following advice covers quarantine information relating to the import of the pet dogs, cats and ferrets. For information on other pet animals, separate advice is available.

Change to the Pet Travel Rules

From 1 January 2012 entry conditions for pets change as the UK brings its rules into line with the European Union. As part of these changes pets from unlisted third countries are no longer required to enter quarantine provided they meet certain pre-entry requirements. Quarantine arrangements will remain in place to deal with animals that do not meet the new entry requirements.

• What pet owners need to do

For pets that are in quarantine when the rules change on 1 January 2012, provided the animal meets the new EU entry controls, they should be eligible for release from quarantine.

Premises

If your pet does not meet the new entry requirements you will need to choose suitable quarantine premise, and potentially an authorised carrying agent to transport your pet to the quarantine premises. In choosing suitable quarantine premises, you might want to take into account whether it offers a level of comfort and care for your pet that you would be happy with and it is within reasonable travelling distance of your home.

• Map: Find your nearest quarantine premises and carrying agent
• List of authorised quarantine premises and carrying agents (PDF 124 KB) – All the premises are privately owned.
• Checklist for choosing a quarantine premises (PDF)

All rabies quarantine premises are privately owned. Government is responsible only for ensuring that the disease security and isolation requirements are met. Premises do vary in the level of comfort and care provided for your animal.

Reserving quarantine accommodation for your pet and getting an import licence

After you have chosen suitable premises, you will need to reserve accommodation for your pet. We advise that you book well in advance, particularly in the holiday months. We also recommend that you agree a contract with the owner of the premises. The financial arrangements that you agree are entirely a matter between you and the owner of the quarantine premises.

• Arranging contracts with quarantine premises (PDF)

When the quarantine premises agree to accept your pet(s) they will usually deal with all documentation on your behalf. This will include submitting an application form for an import licence to the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, arranging to collect your pet at the port or airport of landing and clearance through Customs, and safe custody to the quarantine premises. Check this when making the reservation.

• Import licence form

If the quarantine premises are unable to arrange to transport your pet, you will need to reserve the services of an authorised carrying agent. The carrying agent will meet your pet at the port or airport of arrival and will be responsible for your pet’s security while in transit to the quarantine premises. You may not transport your pet to the quarantine premises yourself.

If you are unable to reserve government authorised quarantine accommodation then we will not be able to issue a licence for importation of your animal. In these circumstances we can only suggest that you might try and make satisfactory arrangements for it to be placed in a good home in the country you are leaving.

Approved ports and airports

Animals going into quarantine may only be landed at certain ports / airports. Check which one best meets your requirements. If importing a pet into the UK for quarantine, please try to ensure that your pet is imported directly into the UK (i.e. without transiting any other countries en route). If your pet has to transit other listed countries en route to UK quarantine, please make sure that you discuss the transit of your pet with each competent authority of the country/countries you need to transit. Some countries may not allow such transits and it is your responsibility as the pet owner to ensure that routes used are approved by each competent authority.

Animals entering (from the EU) or leaving UK rabies quarantine may only be landed at, or exported from the following ports or airports:

Ports

• Eurotunnel Folkestone
• Dover Eastern Docks
• Harwich, Parkeston Quay
• Hull
• Portsmouth

Airports

• Belfast, Northern Ireland
• Edinburgh, Scotland
• Glasgow, Scotland
• Leeds
• London Gatwick
• London Heathrow
• Manchester
• Prestwick, Scotland

It is an offence to land an animal at any other port or airport unless in an emergency, e.g. a diversion because of bad weather. In these circumstances, your animal should only be removed from the vessel or aircraft with the prior permission of the local authority animal health inspector.

Other possible requirements prior to entering the UK

Some transport companies may require some form of health certification for your pet before they allow it to travel. You should check this with the transport company when making the booking for your pet to travel.

Cost of quarantine

You are responsible for meeting all the expenses associated with the landing, transit and quarantine of your pet. Quarantine and transport charges vary considerably. Details of charges can be obtained direct from quarantine premises and carrying agents.

In considering the costs of quarantine, you should also note that the period of detention may, in exceptional circumstances may be extended in the event of:

• an outbreak of rabies occurring at the quarantine premises; or
• if your animal shares accommodation with one that dies.

You would have to meet the cost of any extended period of quarantine.

Sharing quarantine accommodation

If you have more than one pet cat or dog, it may be possible for them to share a unit at the quarantine premises. A maximum of three pets of the same species belonging to the same owner may share accommodation. You will need to get permission for your pets to share accommodation in this way. Ask the owner or veterinary superintendent at the quarantine premises to arrange this for you. Dogs and cats cannot share the same accommodation.

See also

• Rare animals: Conservation (CITES) licences are required for the importation into the UK of certain rare animals. Further information is available on the CITES website.