THE P.E.T TRAVEL SCHEME (PETS) FOR ANIMALS TRAVELLING ABROAD

So what exactly is the Pets Travel Scheme (PETS)?
It is a system that allows pets animals from certain countries to enter the UK without quarantine, as long as they meet given rules.  It also means that people in the UK can take their pets to other EU countries (and some non-EU countries) and return with them to the UK.

To qualify for this scheme the animal must be

1.  Fitted with a Microchip
2.  Vaccinated against rabies
3.  Blood tested. The blood test result must show that the  vaccine has given the pet satisfactory protection against rabies
4.  Be issued with an official PETS certificate
5.  Be treated against tapeworm and ticks

The chipping can be done quickly and simply BEFORE any rabies vaccination can take place. We can do the first vaccination on the same day as the chipping

Currently at this practice we recommend two rabies vaccinations 2-4 weeks apart as there is a 20% chance of inadequate protection from one dose.  These can be done from 11 weeks of age.

Your pet is then blood tested ideally 30 days after the second vaccination (this can be 30 days after the first vaccination if time is short).

The blood result can take at least 4 weeks to come back.

The main problem is that this scheme allows ENTRY back into GB and the animal has to have the correct paperwork to LEAVE GB and if you are moving from country to country you also may need additional documentation as requirements may differ.

To obtain this information we would advise you to contact the DEFRA office at Carlisle 01228 591 999 and ask for the Export of small animals section.

There is also a pet scheme helpline 0870 241 1710 and a web site www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm Both are very helpful.  Also check out www.bva-awf.org.uk

We would advise any client thinking of taking their dog abroad that they start the vaccinations etc 6months before the expected departure date as the whole process can take that long.

ALSO this is not a cheap process at present with chipping, vaccinations, blood tests and the export examinations and paperwork we reach a fiqure of about over £230.00.

No further blood tests are required after the first test which gives a successful result provided the pet is susequently re vaccinated.

Please note that animals will have to be taken to a vet in a foreign country to be treated for endoparasites and ticks 24-48 hours before returning to the UK.

If in doubt please ring the surgery for more information.

The qualifying countries

Pets resident in the UK can, having travelled to one or more of the countries or territories below, return to the UK under PETS.  Pets that come from one of these countries or territories, and have not been outside any of them in the six months prior to travel, can also enter the UK under PETS as long as they have all the necessary conditions.

PETS was first introduced for dogs and cats travelling from certain European countries on 28 February 2000.  The scheme was extended to Cyprus, Malta and some long haul countries and territories on 31 January 2001.  Bahrain joined on 1 May 2002 and the USA and Canada joined on 11 December 2002.  In July 2004 the scheme extended to include ferrets and other pets, increased the number of countries and introduced the EU pet passport.

See the Defra PETS website for the qualifying countries.

Pets travelling within the British Isles
Pets resident anywhere in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland, or which have first entered England under PETS, can travel freely between these countries without the need for any documentation.

Statistics from the Defra's website show that, whilst figures for the number of cats and dogs entering England under PETS in its launch was high (2045 cats and 12432 dogs between March and December 2000) the most recent figures (for the same period of time in 2003) demonstrated a considerable growth in the popularity of the scheme with 5385 cats and 44003 dogs entering the UK.

Rabies is now well controlled in the countries participating in the Pet Travel Scheme.  However, before your bags are packed, it is also important to think about additional diseases that your dog may be at risk of while abroad.  These may include Leishmaniasis, babesiosis, heartworm and ehrlichiosis.  Exotic Diseases