Taking Your Pet Abroad

Taking Your Pet Abroad - The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS)

PETS enables you to avoid putting your cat or dog into quarantine when you travel to certain countries (most countries in Western Europe & Scandinavia). To qualify for exemption from quarantine, you must meet various conditions relating to your pet’s health.

The conditions are set out in brief below. We strongly recommend visiting the government website for the latest and full information a long time (9 months) in advance of your travel date.

To get a 'passport' your pet must:

be fitted with a microchip by your vet
be vaccinated against rabies - your vet will know what to do
be blood tested to ensure that the vaccination has worked
get a PETS certificate from an authorised vet

Once your pet has a PETS certificate, it can enter back into the UK providing:

that six months has passed from the date that the successful blood test was sampled.
your pet has been treated against ticks and a tapeworm between 24 - 48 hours before it is checked in for the return journey to the UK
your pet has not been outside any of the PETS qualifying countries in the six months before it enters the UK
your pet is travelling on an authorised route with an approved transport company

Other considerations

take your pet for a health check by your vet in advance of your journey. Get advice from your vet on pregnant animals.
speak to the carrier in advance to ascertain the conditions that your pet will travel in and to ensure that you have the required paperwork.
do not use sedatives unless advised by a vet.
give your pet only a light meal about 2 hours before travel.
check with the carrier that your pet will have full and constant access to fresh water.
use a container which enables your pet to stand, sit and lie down in a natural position, and to turn around easily. The container should contain absorbent bedding and provide ample ventilation. A familiar toy can help your pet get used to the container.
ensure that your pet will not be exposed to extreme temperatures.
try and match your pets sleeping patterns by travelling overnight where possible

Gallamore Lane Industrial Estate, Market Rasen, Lincs LN8 3RX. Tel. 01673 842 448