The Pet Travel Scheme

One of the biggest bug-bears that most pet owners experience when making travel plans to go to Europe (specifically the United Kingdom and Ireland) is the archaic quarantine law that requires domestic animals to be incarcerated in kennels at the point of entry for six months. This law was originally designed to stop the spread of rabies into Britain from abroad (especially continental Europe). However, with the advance of medical and technological science, there are gradual changes taking place to the laws that govern the ability of pets to travel to and from the UK.

The UK authorities have announced that they intend to replace, with effect from April 2001, their quarantine regime for pet dogs and cats travelling between Great Britain and Member States of the European Union, the European Economic Area and certain rabies free islands, with a scheme involving microchip identification, vaccination, blood testing, health certification and checking before entry. In the meantime and from the end of February 2000, they have introduced a pilot of this scheme, the PETS Pilot Project, using certain approved carriers along a limited number of approved routes to the UK.

The free movement of pet cats and dogs between Ireland and the UK, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man remains unchanged.

For Entering The UK from a Western European Country

Two pet certificates are required in addition to the implanted microchip; the microchip is used to make sure that the certificates apply to the animal in question and not a substitute.

1. A Pet Entry Certificate. This certificate is issued by the pet & owner's home government and is distributed to veterinarians. It is a vet who will grant the certificate stating that a pet has met the health requirements. The certificate will be issued in both English and the visitor's native language.

2. Treatment to rid the animal of ticks and worms. This must be completed between 24hours and 48hours before the pet enters the UK.

For Travellers Resident In The UK

At the moment the pilot scheme only applies to Western European Countries (mentioned above). Again, two certificates will have to be present for the pet to be eligible to travel to and from the UK.

1. A Pet Travel Scheme UK Re-Entry Certificate. Only a British veterinarian can issue this certificate.

2. Treatment Against Ticks and Worm. If the dog is only to be outside of the UK for a period of less than 48hours, then a British vet can issue this certificate. If the pet is out of the UK for more than 48hours then a Continental vet must treat the animal and issue the certificate. As before, the treatment must take place during the 24hour/48hour window preceding re-entry to the United Kingdom.

Travelling to Ireland

There have been some limited changes in the Irish quarantine regime, which will have implications for travellers wishing to bring their pet dogs or cats from the Continent to Ireland. In certain limited circumstances, such travellers will, in future, be able to bring their cats and dogs back to Ireland via the UK, without quarantine.

Pet dogs and cats that enter the UK from those countries that have been approved, may now travel on to Ireland without the need for quarantine. The conditions that must be met are that:

1. The pet(s) has come along routes approved under the terms of the UK Pets pilot project

2. The pet(s) have complied with all of the other conditions of that project.

3. For those intending to travel from Ireland and to participate in the PETS scheme, their pets are required to undergo the same treatments as those pets who are resident in the UK i.e. they need the microchip, vaccination, blood test, and to have their dogs certified before their departure, in the manner provided for under the terms of the UK pilot scheme.

Although Ireland does not have a pilot scheme like the UK, it is considering an overall change in quarantine regulations that would mirror that being introduced in the UK from early 2001.

Further information on Irish quarantine can be located at www.Irishanimals.com whose founder, Denise Cox, kindly furnished us with some of the information on this page.

Where next?

Being a relatively new scheme, there are bound to be one or two problems that will need to be fixed before any further steps can take place. Speculation abounds that the introduction of the main scheme (which is scheduled for launch on April 1st, 2001) may allow entry without quarantine for pets from islands that the British Government officially approves as being free from rabies. These may include: Australia, Japan, Malta, New Zealand and Singapore.

With the proliferation of ex-pats living in North America (especially in Canada), it would seem that a PETS agreement with this part of the world would be desirable. Certainly there is a demand for such a scheme. However, the U.S.A and Canada are not to be included in the main launch. A further assessment as to the risk involved in implementing such a scheme is to be carried out, with a view to possibly include these two countries in a third phase.

Furthermore, no airlines have yet to announce any plans to have a service for domestic pets, although it is still early days. However, if the demand is made known, it may be possible that one or more airlines may give thought to introducing such a scheme for those travelling in and out of the UK. Bookmark this page and check back with us to keep abreast of any further developments.