Have dog will travel
 On
22 December 1999, the Government announced further details about the PETS scheme, including the
date the scheme starts, details of the certificates that dog owners will need for their pet to
enter the UK under the scheme and the treatment that pets will need against certain parasites.
The first dogs came across the Channel to a flurry of media attention. Are you ready for the
trip? This information from DEFRA describes the PETS pilot scheme in detail including any
changes and explains what steps you can take for your dog to qualify.
The Government Does U-Turn
 Implementation
date of the EU Regulation on the movement of pet animals The European Commission have now
confirmed that the implementation date for this Regulation will be 3 July 2004. You can still
use your PETS certificate to enter or re-enter the UK until it expires. Vets can also issue
PETS certificates until 30 September 2004 which can be used until they expire. Passports are
expected to be available to pet owners from late June. Check with your surgery when they will
start issuing passports.
You are strongly advised to get a passport but if you have to travel before they are
available you can still get and use a PETS certificate. If your pet is travelling abroad with a
PETS certificate before 3 July 2004, you will also need to get an Export Health Certificate (or
a PETS 5 for France). If you are using a PETS certificate to enter another EU country between 3
July and 30 September 2004 you are advised for additional reassurance to also get an Export
Health Certificate (or a PETS 5 for France). For more advice on how to get one, contact your
local Animal Health Divisional Office.
You will still need to have your pet treated against ticks and tapeworms before it is
allowed to enter the UK. For pets with passports the treatment will be recorded in that
document. For dogs and cats with PETS certificates, you will need to get an official tick and
tapeworm certificate from a vet in the country in which your pet is treated. This certificate
will only be available in certain countries. More information is given below in the section on
transitional arrangements. Ferrets, and domestic rabbits and rodents entering the UK before 3
July must enter quarantine. (02/07/04)
From Peter van Dongen...
This makes travel to Europe a lot easier from 3 July onwards, and it will certainly
make my work a lot easier for the WC Agility in Italy in September!
(06/07/04)
PETS 2004 - The Changes
 The
Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) has been going for some years now. This has made it possible for you
to travel with your dog to and from certain countries, and return to the UK, without having to
put your dog into quarantine. There were certain strict conditions and this has not really
changed. However, from 3 July 2004 some of the necessary paperwork is going to be changed. This
has been introduced to make it easier to travel between various European countries without the
need for many different pieces of paperwork, but it will mean that some of the old paperwork
will be obsolete.
The
major changes are as follows:-
-
To be able
to travel from the UK to another EU country from 3 July 2004, you’ll need a new style ‘EU Pet
Passport’. This passport will have sections in it for information about the pet, including
the microchip number, as well as the details about the Rabies vaccination. This passport will
replace the PETS-5 form (blue ‘French’ form) and the ‘Export Health Certificates’ which have
been used previously to this purpose.
-
To be able
to travel from an EU country back into the UK after 3rd July 2004, you’ll need a new style
‘EU pet passport’. This passport will have sections in it for information about the pet,
including the microchip number, as well as the details about the Rabies vaccination, the
rabies antibody titer blood test with its result, and about the tick- and tapeworm treatment
which has to be done between 24 and 48 hours before checking-in to travel back to the UK.
This passport will replace the PETS-1, PETS-2 and PETS-3 forms altogether.
-
The new
style ‘EU Pet Passport’ will be valid up to the date on which the rabies booster vaccination
is due, which varies according to the vaccine used (usually 2 or 3 years). However, some
countries require an animal to have been vaccinated against rabies within a specified period
before it arrives into this country, so you might need to revaccinate some pets against
rabies before the booster is due! It is wise to check this with your vet, or directly with
DEFRA, before setting out to another country.
-
Many more
countries have just joined the EU. Check the DEFRA web site for more details about the
countries involved in the scheme.
What
stays the same?
-
All the
requirements for a valid PETS-1 form stay the same for a fully filled in EU Pet Passport.
This means your pet will have to have an ISO standard microchip fitted, then be vaccinated
against rabies, then have a blood test to establish whether the pet has built up sufficient
immunity against rabies, then to wait 6 months to (re-)enter the UK. All this is how it
always was.
-
The vet who
fills in the paperwork has to be an ‘Official Veterinarian’ (previously called an ‘LVI’ or
Local Veterinary Inspector). All the paperwork has to be filled in and stamped by such a vet.
-
The tick-
and tapeworm treatments before (re-)entering the UK are the same as before and the time frame
before checking in is the same as well.
-
All dogs
and cats entering the UK must do so via an approved route and using an approved transport
company.
-
Dogs from
the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland can freely between
these countries without any documentation. However, if you have PETS documents, take them
with you, just in case you are asked to show them.
What is
difficult?
-
If you have
been issued with a PETS-1 form (and perhaps a PETS-5 form as well) before 3rd July 2004, this
will remain valid till the expiry date. But, if you’re not leaving the UK till after 3rd July
2004, ask your vet for a new EU Pet Passport anyway. This is because some countries may not
accept the old style PETS forms for entry into their country. For instance, France has not
yet let DEFRA know whether PETS-5 forms will still be accepted after 3rd July 2004! The New
EU Pet Passports will not be available from your vet till June though. Your vet will nearly
certainly charge you for the new passport as it’s official documentation! New passports can
be issued before the expiry date of the old PETS-1 and the PETS-1 form can be used as the
basis for filling out a new pet passport.
-
Non-EU
countries: Some of the rules have changed for these countries as well. It goes beyond the
scope of this information to go into this. Check with DEFRA about this.
Further
information: DEFRA online at
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm or PETS Helpline: 0870 241 1710
(Mon-Fri 8.30-17.00). Email: pets.helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk
PETS - The Pilot Scheme
On
22 December 1999, the Government announced further details about the PETS pilot scheme,
including the date the scheme starts, details of the certificates that dog owners will need for
their pet to enter the UK under the scheme and the treatment that pets will need against
certain parasites. The first dogs have now come across the Channel to a flurry of media
attention. Are you ready for the trip? This fact sheet from MAFF describes the PETS pilot
scheme in detail, explaining what steps you can take for your dog to qualify.
Sections 1-5
tell you about the rules of the pilot scheme. Sections 6-10 tell
you what to you need to do to bring your pet into the UK under the pilot scheme.
Sections 11-13 and the annexes give general advice about the scheme.
1.
The pilot scheme rules
Which animals can take part in the pilot
scheme?
Pet cats and dogs (referred to as pets in this fact
sheet) which:
enter or re-enter the UK after the start date of the pilot (see Sections
2 and 3) enter or re-enter the UK on certain routes (see
Sections 4) have not been outside certain countries (see Section
5) have been identified with a microchip (see Section 6)
meet certain health conditions (see Sections 7-10)
What do I need to do to get my pet to
qualify?
To qualify for the scheme, your pet must:-
- Be fitted with a microchip (Section
6)
- Be vaccinated against rabies (Section
7)
- Be blood tested. The blood test result must show that
the vaccine has given your pet satisfactory protection against rabies (Section
8).
- Be issued with an official PETS certificate (Section
10)
- Be treated against a tapeworm and ticks (Sections
9-10).
It is essential that steps 1-5 are carried out in the
order shown.
When you bring your pet in, you will need three pieces of
paper: an official PETS certificate showing that it has been vaccinated and blood tested a
veterinary certificate showing that has been treated against the tapeworm and ticks a
declaration that is has not been outside the PETS countries (Section 5)
 2.
The Start Date
When will the pilot scheme
start?
It will start on 28 February 2000. The scheme will be extended early in 2001 to
include other types of pets and more countries.
Please remember that even if your pet meets all the
conditions of the scheme and leaves the UK before 28 February 2000, it will only be
allowed to re-enter the UK without quarantine from 28 February 2000.
Pets brought into the UK before 28 February 2000 will
still have to go into quarantine. Once the pilot scheme starts, it may be possible to release
them after less than 6 months quarantine if they meet all the conditions of the Scheme.
3.
The Six Month Rule
Will I able to enter the UK with
my pet as soon as the scheme starts?
Your pet cannot enter the UK until six months after the
date your vet took a blood sample that yielded a successful test result (see
section 8). This is because an animal that is infected before being
vaccinated would not be protected against rabies but its blood test might give the same result
as one for an uninfected animal that had been vaccinated. Six months (equivalent to the length
of quarantine) is the time needed for an infected animal to display any clinical signs of
rabies which would prevent it being brought into the UK.
Does this rule apply to UK pets?
This rule does not apply to microchipped and vaccinated
pets in the UK that had a blood sample (leading to a successful test result) taken before 28
February 2000.
If the blood test sample is taken on or after 28 February
2000, your pet will not be able to re-enter the UK under the scheme until at least six months
after the date of sampling.
If you wish to travel with your pet to a qualifying
country during the summer of 2000, you should have your pet microchipped, vaccinated and blood
tested as soon as possible.
We strongly recommend that you obtain all the necessary
certification before you travel (see section 10 and
annex A).
4.
The Routes
Which routes can I use to bring my pet
into the UK?
You can use any of the following routes to bring your pet
into the UK when the pilot scheme starts.
- By ferry: 1. Calais to Dover
2. Caen, Cherbourg, Le Havre or St. Malo to Portsmouth
- By rail: Eurotunnel Shuttle Service
- By air: Certain routes from Europe into London
Heathrow* These will start later.
*For guide dogs and hearing dogs, air routes from
Australia and New Zealand direct to London Heathrow as well
We will announce the air routes and the names of the
transport companies that will be able to carry your pet as they are approved, after which you
may be able to book a ticket to travel with your pet.
Which travel companies can I use
The following companies will be taking bookings for pets
to travel to th eUK from 28 February on the routes listed above: Britanny Ferries, Eurotunnel
Shuttle Service, Hoverspeed, P & O European, P & O Stena, SeaFrance.
MAFF has approved the operating plans of all these
companies, subject to a scrutiny of the arrangements that they have put into place.
5.
The Qualifying Countries
Where can pets come from?
Pets resident in the UK may go to one or more of the
countries below and return to the UK under the pilot scheme. Pets that come from one of these
countries and have been resident in any of them for six months may also enter the UK under the
pilot scheme if accompanied by the appropriate official certification.
| Andorra |
France |
Italy |
Norway |
Switzerland |
| Austria |
Germany |
Liechtenstein |
Portugal |
Vatican |
| Belgium |
Gibraltar |
Luxembourg |
San Marino |
|
|
| Denmark |
Greece |
Monaco |
Spain |
|
| Finland |
Iceland |
Netherlands |
Sweden |
|
France excludes the French Overseas Departments and
Territories, Norway excludes Svalbard, Portugal includes the Azores and Madeira and Spain
includes the Canary Islands, but excludes Ceuta and Melilla.
Pets resident in the Channel Islands, Isle of Man and the
Republic of Ireland may also enter the UK under the pilot scheme from these countries, when
accompanied by the appropriate official certification.
What about pets travelling within the
British Isles?
Pets resident anywhere in the British Isles will continue
to be able to travel freely within the British Isles, and will not be subject to quarantine or
to the Pet Travel Scheme rules unless they are entering the UK from outside the British Isles.
What about pets entering the Republic of
Ireland?
The PETS pilot scheme relates to the UK only. The
Republic of Ireland does not intend to have a PETS pilot scheme. Therefore, pets entering the
Republic of Ireland directly from all countries other than the UK, Channel Islands and the Isle
of Man will still have to go into quarantine. An announcement by the Irish authorities about
the precise arrangements to facilitate pets entering the Republic which have first entered the
UK under the conditions of the pilot scheme, will be made in due course.
Will guide dogs and hearing dogs qualify
for the scheme?
Guide dogs and hearing dogs will be eligible for the
pilot scheme like any other dogs. In addition, these dogs will be allowed to enter the UK from
Australia and New Zealand under the pilot scheme. This will depend however on discussions with
the Australia and New Zealand authorities and whether any airline is prepared to carry such
dogs during the pilot scheme.
Procedures
What can I do now to get ready for the
scheme?
You can ask your vet to:-
- Microchip and vaccinate your pet. Remember, it must be
microchipped before it is vaccinated.
- Then arrange for it to be blood
tested.
- Then issue an official PETS
certificate. You will have to get a government authorised vet to issue the certificate (see
section 10).
Vets will charge you for carrying out this work. Any vet
can microchip and vaccinate your pet and arrange for it to be blood tested.
6.
Microchipping
A microchip is a tiny electronic device injected into
your pet that acts as a permanent record of identity. For your pet to qualify for the PETS
pilot scheme, it must be fitted with a microchip. We strongly recommend that the microchip
meets ISO (International Standards Organisation) Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO Standard
11785. Ask your vet to make sure that the microchip meets one of these specifications.
If the microchip does not meet either of these standards,
anyone who needs to read it may not be able to do so. In that case, you would have to provide
your own microchip reader (at your expense) to enable the microchip number to be read
successfully.
When should it be fitted?
Your pet can be fitted with a microchip at any time but
it must be done before it is vaccinated against rabies and blood tested. Ask your vet to test
that the microchip works by checking its number once it has been fitted.
7.
Vaccination
What sort of rabies vaccine is used?
The vaccine must be an inactivated rabies vaccine
authorised for use in the UK, or by the government of the qualifying country in which you are
resident. If in doubt, consult your vet.
When should I vaccinate my pet?
Your pet must be at least three months old before it is
vaccinated. Vaccination can be done any time after your pet has been fitted with a microchip.
Before vaccinating your pet, the vet will check its microchip number and enter it on your pet’s
vaccination record when it is vaccinated.
If your pet has been vaccinated against rabies before it
was identified by a microchip, it will have to be fitted with a microchip and vaccinated again.
This is to make sure that your pet is correctly identified when it is vaccinated.
What information goes on my pet’s
vaccination record?
When your pet is vaccinated, you should make sure that your vet
has recorded the following details on a vaccination record:-
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- Its date of birth/age (if known)
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- The date the booster vaccination is due
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When is my pet given its booster?
After your pet has been vaccinated and blood tested, it
will need regular booster vaccinations at intervals specified by the vaccine manufacturer. Your
vet will advise you further. You must make sure that your pet is given its booster on time,
otherwise it will not meet the conditions of the scheme and would have to be vaccinated and
blood tested again and the residency requirement would have to be met (see
section 3). If your pet has its booster on time, it will not need another blood test.
8.
Blood Testing
How do I arrange a blood test for my
pet?
After your pet has been vaccinated, it will need a blood
test to make sure that the vaccine has given your pet sufficient protection against rabies. A
vet will take a sample of your pet’s blood and send it to a laboratory for testing. The vet who
vaccinated your pet can arrange this for you. You will need to take your pet’s vaccination
record with you when the blood sample is taken.
Your vet will advise you on the best time to get your pet
blood-tested. Make sure that your vet gives you a signed record of the date the blood sample
was taken.
Where is the blood test done?
At a laboratory recognised by MAFF. At present, eleven
laboratories across Europe, including one in the UK, have been recognised by MAFF. Your vet
will have a list of these and can choose any one to carry out the test. Other laboratories may
be added to the list as the scheme develops.
The date that the laboratory was officially recognised by
MAFF is noted on the list. Blood tests performed by recognised laboratories before that date
will not be accepted. This is because we can only be certain that a laboratory meets the
necessary quality standards once it has been officially recognised.
Do I need to contact the laboratory
myself?
No. You do not need to contact laboratories directly to
arrange your pet’s blood test or to get the result. Your vet will do this for you.
What if
my pet fails its blood test?
You should seek advice from your vet if your pet fails
its blood test (in other words, the result shows that it has not been satisfactorily protected
against rabies). Your pet may need to be re-vaccinated and blood tested again.
9.
Treatment against parasites
There is one final step to take before your pet can enter
or re-enter the UK without quarantine. It will have to be treated against certain ticks and a
tapeworm that can be carried by cats and dogs.
When does my pet have to have this
treatment?
The treatment must be carried out between 24 and 48 hours
before you embark for the UK and will have to be done every time your pet enters the UK.
If you are taking your animal out of the UK on a day
trip, you will need to get the treatment done in the UK in the 24 to 48 hour period before your
return journey starts.
Any vet in one of the countries listed in
section 5 can do this. When your pet has been treated, the vet will
give you a certificate to show that this has been done. The transport company staff who will
check your pet will need to see this certificate so make sure it is kept safe.
10. Documentation
You will need three pieces of paper for your
pet to enter the UK.
(a) THE PETS CERTIFICATE
To get your pet into the UK (or back into the UK) you
will need an official PETS certificate. This will be issued by a vet authorised by the UK
Government or by the Government of one of the qualifying countries. The transport company staff
who will check your pet will need to see this certificate so make sure it is kept safe.
The certificate will show that your pet:
- is identified by its microchip number
- has a current vaccination against rabies
- had a blood test showing satisfactory protection
against rabies
If your pet does not meet these conditions, it will not
get a PETS certificate.
How long is the certificate valid for?
- it will be valid for a specific period of time,
expiring on the date your pet’s booster vaccination is required.
A certificate will not be valid until
- The scheme is in operation and
- six months has elapsed after the date of the
blood sample which gave a successful test result (this does not apply to pets resident
in the UK that have had the blood sample taken before the start of the
scheme).
How do I get a certificate in the UK?
For pets resident in the UK, the certificate will be
completed and issued by a government-authorised vet known as a Local Veterinary Inspector (LVI).
Most small animal veterinary practices in the UK have a resident LVI. If your own vet is not an
LVI, they may be able to tell where the nearest one works. If not, contact your local
Animal Health
Divisional Office for details (listed in the phone book under Agriculture, Fisheries and
Food, Ministry of, or conatct the PETS helpline).
How do I get a certificate in another
qualifying country?
A government-authorised vet in that country will issue
the certificate. We have asked all the other countries taking part in the PETS pilot scheme to
arrange for this certificate to be available from appropriate vets.
(b) THE CERTIFICATE OF TREATMENT AGAINST A
TAPEWORM AND TICKS
When you get your pet treated against a tapeworm and
ticks, the vet will give you an official certificate of treatment to show that this has been
done. Make sure you get this certificate and that the period it covers includes the time you
are due to embark for the UK.
(c) THE DECLARATION OF RESIDENCE
You will have fill in a form to declare that you have not
taken your pet outside the PETS countries listed in section 5. You will
be able to get the form from the transport company carrying your pet to the UK or from us.
Certification for pets leaving the UK
Depending on which qualifying country you intend to visit
or go through, you may need to obtain an Export Health Certificate so that your pet can enter
that country. Annex A gives more details.
11. Dangerous dogs
The Dangerous Dogs Act
In Great Britain, it against the law to possess certain
types of dogs: the pit bull terrier, the Japanese Tosa, the Dogo Argentino and the Fila
Brazilero. The introduction of the Pet Travel Scheme will not affect this ban.
If you bring one of these dogs into Great Britain, you
could be prosecuted and the dog seized and destroyed. If in doubt, don't travel with it.
A number of dogs in Great Britain designated as
prohibited are registered as exempt from this ban. We advise that people who intend to go
abroad and return to Great Britain with these dogs make sure that they carry their certificate
of exemption from the Dangerous Dogs Act as well as their Pet Travel Scheme documentation.
What about dangerous dogs in other
countries?
You should also be aware that some other countries do not
allow certain types of dog in. For example, it is understood that France does not permit the
entry of dogs that are, or look like, pit bull terriers. Owners with dogs that look similar to
a pit bull terrier may be asked for documentary evidence to verify the breed. France also
requires Staffordshire Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Tosas and Rottweilers to be
kept on a lead and muzzled in public. If you are in any doubt about whether your dog will be
allowed into the country you are visiting, you should contact the appropriate authorities (e.g.
the Embassy) of that country.
12. The pet check
Is my pet checked before it enters the
UK?
Yes. Before you board Eurotunnel Shuttle Service or a
boat travelling to the UK on one of the pilot scheme routes, staff from the transport company
will check your pet's microchip and both official certificates (the PETS certificate and the
certificate for tick and tapeworm treatment). If all is well, your pet will be allowed to
board. In the case of airlines, these checks will be carried out either before you board or as
soon as you land at Heathrow. If any of these checks fail, your pet will either have to go into
quarantine on arrival in the UK, or return to the country it has come from
If you live in the UK, we strongly recommend that you
check that all is in order before you go abroad with your pet or, if you live in one of the
qualifying countries, before you travel to the UK with your pet.
A check list is provided at Annex B
to help you prevent possible problems which may arise when your pet is checked.
13. Where can I get more information?
Our Internet site has more information on the Pet Travel
Scheme. Visit the site on:
www.maff.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/ or ring the PETS Helpline on 0870 2411710 (open 8.30am
to 5pm Monday to Friday). You can also e-mail us on
pets@ahvg.maff.gsi.gov.uk or you can send us a fax on 020 7904 6834.
Annex A
Taking
Pets out of the UK
Some of the qualifying countries also require another,
separate, certificate, (known as an Export Health Certificate), to show that your pet meets
certain health conditions set out by each country. These requirements are separate from those
of the Pet Travel Scheme.
At the time of writing, an Export Health Certificate is
required for pets entering France, Gibraltar, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein,
Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden or Switzerland. Your pet may be refused entry if
you do not have one.
For details of how to get an official Export Health
Certificate, contact your local MAFF
Animal Health
Divisional Office.
If you want to take your pet to Gibraltar, Iceland or
Sweden, you will also need a separate import permit, issued by the authorities in those
countries. You should contact those authorities directly to obtain one; MAFF cannot issue these
documents. A list of contact points is available from Export of Cats and Dogs Section, MAFF, 1A
Page Street, London SW1P 4PQ (phone 020 7904 6347, or fax on 020 7904 6428).
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany and Luxembourg
currently require a separate certificate to show that your pet has been vaccinated against
rabies. Your vet will be able to provide one.
These requirements may be subject to change by the
authorities of the country concerned. So before you travel to other countries with your pet,
you are strongly advised to check what documentation is required for your pet to enter that
country.
Annex B
What could go wrong and what you can do
1. Your pet could not be identified properly:
- It has not been microchipped - All pets entering the
UK under the PETS scheme must be fitted with a microchip. You will have to have your pet
microchipped, then vaccinated against rabies and blood tested
- It has a microchip but it could not be read - If the
checking staff cannot read your pet’s microchip, you may have to provide your own microchip
reader
- The microchip cannot be found - All pets entering the
UK under the PETS scheme must be fitted with a microchip that can be found and read. You will
have to have your pet microchipped, then vaccinated against rabies and blood tested
2. Incomplete documentation:
- You don’t have an official PETS certificate - If you
have not been issued with one, you will have to get one from a government authorised vet. You
will need to take your pet’s vaccination record card and blood test result with you
- You have lost your certificate - You will have to get
a copy of the certificate. The transport company may be able to help you arrange this
- Your certificate is not valid - The certificate must
be issued in a qualifying country, signed and stamped by a government authorised vet and can
only be used between the valid dates shown on the certificate
- Your pet’s microchip number does not match the number
on the certificate - The two numbers must match. Check that you have the right certificate
3. Your pet was not correctly treated against parasites:
- Your pet has not been treated - You will have to get a vet to carry out
the treatment and issue you with a certificate of treatment. The treatment must be carried
out between 24-48 hours before embarkation for the UK
- Your pet has been treated but not at the correct time - You will have to
get your pet treated again in the correct period and issued with another certificate of
treatment
4. Your pet has travelled outside the qualifying countries in the last six
months:
- Your pet will not be allowed to enter the UK under the Pet Travel Scheme.
This means you would have to make arrangements for it to be placed in quarantine on its
arrival in the UK.
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January 2000 |
PETS helpline +44 (0) 870 241 1710
© MAFF 1999
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