UK PETS Travel Scheme

This message MUST NOT be used as your only source of information!!!

This is a condensed version of the PETS material I've posted before, but
I must stress that it hasn't been fact-checked by a UK vet in nearly
three
years. In all of what follows please try to bear in mind that there
seems to be some confusion about arrangements in different parts of
Europe, and problems with British authorities rejecting certificates
written in foreign languages. It also seems likely that arrangements for
travelling with animals may be affected by the current concerns
regarding foot and mouth and terrorism.

The PETS Pilot Scheme

This is a SUMMARY of the PETS pilot scheme, consolidating and abridging
the contents of multiple messages posted previously. The MAFF website
http://www.maff.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm. may have more
up-to-date details. Some new on-line resources include

A PDF file at:-

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quar...tslonghaul.pdf

The summary for the site reads: The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) Long Haul
Countries The Pet Travel Scheme allows pet dogs and cats from certain
countries to enter or re- enter the UK without quarantine as long as
they meet certain rules. non- European) PETS country (including UK
pets... (Size: 98k, Last Modified: mon, 01 october 2001.

Another PDF file at:-

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quar...petseurope.pdf
Summary: The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) European Countries The Pet
Travel Scheme allows pet dogs and cats from certain countries to enter
or re- enter the UK without quarantine as long as they meet certain
rules. This fact sheet explains what steps you need to take.
(Size: 96k, Last Modified: mon, 01 october 2001.

When the DEFRA site comes up enter PETS in the search box (top right on
screen) to see what else is available.

The PETS pilot scheme allows animals to be bought _into_ the UK from
qualifying countries provided they have a pet passport and are immune to
rabies. The current qualifying countries are:

Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Canary Islands, Cyprus (probably both halves
but you are advised to check!), Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,
Gibraltar, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta,
Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, Vatican

and the following islands

Antigua and Barbuda, Ascention Island, Australia, Barbados, Bermuda,
Cayman Islands, Cyprus, Falkland Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia,
Guadaloupe, Hawaii, Jamaica, Japan, La Reunion, Malta, Martinique,
Mauritius, Mayotte, Montserrat, New Caledonia, New Zealand, St. Helena,
St. Kitts and Nevice, St. Vincent, Singapore, Vanuatu, Wallis and
Fortuna

Only certain ports and carriers may be used.

1: Animals resident in the UK which were tested and passed for rabies
immunity before 28/2/2000 are permitted to return to the UK at any time

2: Animals tested after that date must wait six months from a pass
before they are permitted to return to the UK.

Schedule for qualification
Day 1: insertion of the microchip and administration of the first dose
of rabies vaccine.

Day 15: second dose of vaccine (optional; maximises chance of an
eventual pass)

Day 45 (or day 31 if second dose was omitted): blood sample collected.
Results may take several weeks, but the six month period after testing
begins when the sample is taken _if_ the test is passed.

Six months after collection of the blood sample the animal can *return*
to the UK. It can be taken abroad earlier provided all paperwork has
been completed and a pet passport has been acquired, but can't return
until the six months have passed.

24 to a maximum of 48 hours before returning to the UK the pet must be
given an anti-parasite treatment by a vet, and a certificate must be
issued to show that this has been done. It's advisable to arrange this
some time before travelling, and ensure that the vet is ready to issue
the certificate. Animals taken abroad for less than 48 hours can be
given this treatment before they leave the UK.

On arrival in the UK you must give in a declaration saying that your pet
has not been outside the qualifying countries for the PETS scheme in the
six months previously. It is probably advisable to collect a copy of the
form before leaving the UK.

The scheme does not prevent animals from leaving the UK without these
vaccinations and tests, but you will not be allowed to bring them into
the UK without them, and any failure to comply with the regulations will
lead to at least a six month delay abroad or in quarantine in the UK.
Note that any other country entered, or passed through, will have its
own entry requirements for animals, which may differ to those of the UK,
It is vital to check that you comply with the relevant laws in every
country you pass through. Check with your vet, check the MAFF web site
at

http://www.maff.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm.

and check the laws of the countries you intend to visit on this site and
with embassies etc. The site lists the countries which can be visited,
explains which carriers and ports are permitted for re-entry under the
scheme, and has contact email addresses and phone numbers for specific
queries.

It is important to realise that the scheme is designed to protect
animals in Britain from parasites and diseases bought in from abroad.
Its requirements do NOT necessarily guarantee that your pet is safe from
these dangers, and British animals may have no immunity to parasites and
diseases found in some of the qualifying countries. You should obtain
all relevant vaccinations for every country you intend to visit, and
seek professional help if your pet seems to be unwell while you are
abroad. A particular risk is Babesia, a parasite carried by ticks; if
pets are infected before they return to Britain the anti-parasite
treatment will kill the ticks, stopping the disease from spreading, but
will do nothing to protect the pet from the internal parasite.

Avoiding UK quarantine under the PETS scheme - animals from non-
qualifying countries.

When the Pet Travel Scheme was introduced it became possible for pet
owners from non-qualifying countries to use it to avoid placing their
pets in UK quarantine. This can be done by completing the qualification
process in a qualifying country, usually in Europe.

The pet must be legally imported into a qualifying country and kept
there while preparations for entry into the UK under PETS are completed.
It is important to note that some European countries have their own
requirements which differ from the UK, and a good understanding of both
countries requirements is needed to ensure that all is done correctly.

The usual route is to import pets into France, having made arrangements
for their stay in advance. The advantage of France is closeness to the
UK, making visits straightforward. Owners can choose whichever option is
most suitable and can make private arrangements between friends or
employ a professional pet sitter. This option can be very expensive as a
suitable property must also be found. Alternatively a professional
arrangement can be made, either with a boarding kennels (although for
many owners this defeats the object, which is to avoid long term
kennelling) or with a professional home board service arranged by a pet
care company.

The process takes a minimum of six months, provided you have done some
advance preparation, but this option lets anyone, irrespective of their
country of origin, avoid putting their pet into UK quarantine for six
months. Professional advice is essential.

Free professional advice on how to use this option in France is
available by e-mail to info@ledogstop.com
--
Marcus L. Rowland
"Boy... _These_ things are a cinch!"
[God makes the snake - Gary Larson]
http://www.forgottenfutures.com/
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/forgottenfutures

	#1
Marcus L. Rowland	UK PETS Travel Scheme - Repeat Post This message MUST NOT be used as your only source of information!!! This is a condensed version of the PETS material I've posted before, but I must stress that it hasn't been fact-checked by a UK vet in nearly three years. In all of what follows please try to bear in mind that there seems to be some confusion about arrangements in different parts of Europe, and problems with British authorities rejecting certificates written in foreign languages. It also seems likely that arrangements for travelling with animals may be affected by the current concerns regarding foot and mouth and terrorism. The PETS Pilot Scheme This is a SUMMARY of the PETS pilot scheme, consolidating and abridging the contents of multiple messages posted previously. The MAFF website http://www.maff.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm. may have more up-to-date details. Some new on-line resources include A PDF file at:- http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quar...tslonghaul.pdf The summary for the site reads: The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) Long Haul Countries The Pet Travel Scheme allows pet dogs and cats from certain countries to enter or re- enter the UK without quarantine as long as they meet certain rules. non- European) PETS country (including UK pets... (Size: 98k, Last Modified: mon, 01 october 2001. Another PDF file at:- http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quar...petseurope.pdf Summary: The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) European Countries The Pet Travel Scheme allows pet dogs and cats from certain countries to enter or re- enter the UK without quarantine as long as they meet certain rules. This fact sheet explains what steps you need to take. (Size: 96k, Last Modified: mon, 01 october 2001. When the DEFRA site comes up enter PETS in the search box (top right on screen) to see what else is available. The PETS pilot scheme allows animals to be bought _into_ the UK from qualifying countries provided they have a pet passport and are immune to rabies. The current qualifying countries are: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Canary Islands, Cyprus (probably both halves but you are advised to check!), Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Vatican and the following islands Antigua and Barbuda, Ascention Island, Australia, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Cyprus, Falkland Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guadaloupe, Hawaii, Jamaica, Japan, La Reunion, Malta, Martinique, Mauritius, Mayotte, Montserrat, New Caledonia, New Zealand, St. Helena, St. Kitts and Nevice, St. Vincent, Singapore, Vanuatu, Wallis and Fortuna Only certain ports and carriers may be used. 1: Animals resident in the UK which were tested and passed for rabies immunity before 28/2/2000 are permitted to return to the UK at any time 2: Animals tested after that date must wait six months from a pass before they are permitted to return to the UK. Schedule for qualification Day 1: insertion of the microchip and administration of the first dose of rabies vaccine. Day 15: second dose of vaccine (optional; maximises chance of an eventual pass) Day 45 (or day 31 if second dose was omitted): blood sample collected. Results may take several weeks, but the six month period after testing begins when the sample is taken _if_ the test is passed. Six months after collection of the blood sample the animal can return to the UK. It can be taken abroad earlier provided all paperwork has been completed and a pet passport has been acquired, but can't return until the six months have passed. 24 to a maximum of 48 hours before returning to the UK the pet must be given an anti-parasite treatment by a vet, and a certificate must be issued to show that this has been done. It's advisable to arrange this some time before travelling, and ensure that the vet is ready to issue the certificate. Animals taken abroad for less than 48 hours can be given this treatment before they leave the UK. On arrival in the UK you must give in a declaration saying that your pet has not been outside the qualifying countries for the PETS scheme in the six months previously. It is probably advisable to collect a copy of the form before leaving the UK. The scheme does not prevent animals from leaving the UK without these vaccinations and tests, but you will not be allowed to bring them into the UK without them, and any failure to comply with the regulations will lead to at least a six month delay abroad or in quarantine in the UK. Note that any other country entered, or passed through, will have its own entry requirements for animals, which may differ to those of the UK, It is vital to check that you comply with the relevant laws in every country you pass through. Check with your vet, check the MAFF web site at http://www.maff.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm. and check the laws of the countries you intend to visit on this site and with embassies etc. The site lists the countries which can be visited, explains which carriers and ports are permitted for re-entry under the scheme, and has contact email addresses and phone numbers for specific queries. It is important to realise that the scheme is designed to protect animals in Britain from parasites and diseases bought in from abroad. Its requirements do NOT necessarily guarantee that your pet is safe from these dangers, and British animals may have no immunity to parasites and diseases found in some of the qualifying countries. You should obtain all relevant vaccinations for every country you intend to visit, and seek professional help if your pet seems to be unwell while you are abroad. A particular risk is Babesia, a parasite carried by ticks; if pets are infected before they return to Britain the anti-parasite treatment will kill the ticks, stopping the disease from spreading, but will do nothing to protect the pet from the internal parasite. Avoiding UK quarantine under the PETS scheme - animals from non- qualifying countries. When the Pet Travel Scheme was introduced it became possible for pet owners from non-qualifying countries to use it to avoid placing their pets in UK quarantine. This can be done by completing the qualification process in a qualifying country, usually in Europe. The pet must be legally imported into a qualifying country and kept there while preparations for entry into the UK under PETS are completed. It is important to note that some European countries have their own requirements which differ from the UK, and a good understanding of both countries requirements is needed to ensure that all is done correctly. The usual route is to import pets into France, having made arrangements for their stay in advance. The advantage of France is closeness to the UK, making visits straightforward. Owners can choose whichever option is most suitable and can make private arrangements between friends or employ a professional pet sitter. This option can be very expensive as a suitable property must also be found. Alternatively a professional arrangement can be made, either with a boarding kennels (although for many owners this defeats the object, which is to avoid long term kennelling) or with a professional home board service arranged by a pet care company. The process takes a minimum of six months, provided you have done some advance preparation, but this option lets anyone, irrespective of their country of origin, avoid putting their pet into UK quarantine for six months. Professional advice is essential. Free professional advice on how to use this option in France is available by e-mail to info@ledogstop.com -- Marcus L. Rowland "Boy... _These_ things are a cinch!" [God makes the snake - Gary Larson] http://www.forgottenfutures.com/ http://homepage.ntlworld.com/forgottenfutures