The pet travel scheme (PETS) allows dogs, cats and ferrets to travel through the EU and certain other countries based on a passport, microchip, rabies vaccination and certain pre-travel checks. We were down graded within this system on December 31st 2020 and become a part 2 listed country.
This change means that UK issued blue pet passports are no longer valid for travel, but please don’t throw them away while the rabies vaccination is valid.
To travel after December 31st 2020 your pet will require a suitably qualified vet to issue an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) no more than 10 days prior to travel. If you have an EU issued pet passport with an in date rabies vaccination, this is still valid but can only be boostered in the EU.
If you are already up to date with ID chip and rabies vaccine, you are all prepared and just need to book an appointment with a certified vet at the required time.
This change in level avoids the requirement for pre travel blood testing that was expected by the APHA and most of the governing bodies, which is nice. We apologise to anyone that went through the blood testing process but that was the best course of action we could advise prior to this information.
AHC appointments need to be with specific vets, will take some planning from the vet involved and may have a waiting list.
The AHC will be valid for 1 trip out of the UK only, will allow up to 5 pets to travel together and will be valid for up to 4 months on European travel. Certain countries will also require pre travel tapeworm treatment to be given and certified by the vet. Some countries including Ireland require a certified tapeworm treatment up to 5 days prior to travel, please check the link below before you call to book an appointment.
On return to the UK you will require a certified tapeworm treatment 24-120 hours prior to your return.
There is more information here;
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pet-travel-to-europe-from-1-january-2021.
Check list before booking;
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Is you pet microchipped?
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Is your pet vaccinated against rabies? Is that vaccine in date?
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Was that vaccine more than 21 days before you want to leave the UK?
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Where do you enter the EU (not always your final destination)?
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When do you leave the UK?
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Do you have an old style pet passport still? If so, let reception know and bring it with you.
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If you don’t have a passport, was the rabies vaccination done with us or elsewhere? If elsewhere, we need to know where to get sufficient evidence to legally be able to complete the document.
