Pet Passports
Whether PET transporting, shipping, courier service or even airline service the PET travel scheme in compliance with Department for Farming and Rural Affairs United Kingdom Government department (DEFRA) are fully complied with or exceeded. Your pet is our responsibility and we take that responsibility very seriously.
The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) is the system that allows pet dogs, cats and ferrets from certain countries to enter the UK without quarantine as long as they meet the rules. It also means that people in the UK can take their dogs, cats and ferrets to other European Union (EU) countries, and return with them to the UK. They can also, having taken their dogs, cats and ferrets to certain non-EU countries, bring them back to the UK without the need for quarantine. The rules are to keep the UK free from rabies and certain other diseases.
You are responsible for ensuring that your pet meets all the rules for entering the UK under the Pet Travel Scheme. Make sure that you have had the procedures carried out in the correct order and that your pet’s documentation is correctly completed. If you do not, your pet may not be able to enter the country or may have to be licensed into quarantine on arrival. This will mean delay and cost you money.
How to bring your pet dog or cat into or back into the UK under the
Pet Travel Scheme (PETS)
Pet dogs and cats (including guide and hearing dogs) that are resident in either the United Kingdom or one of the other qualifying (listed) countries can enter or re-enter the UK without quarantine provided they meet the rules of the Scheme. Animals prepared for PETS in a non-listed country would not be accepted in the UK and entry of a PETS compliant animal into a non-listed country would result in loss of any PETS compliance. Animals which do not meet all the rules must be licensed into quarantine. They might then be able to obtain early release if they can be shown to comply with the necessary PETS requirements.
UK PETS preparations must be done in listed countries. Animals from unlisted countries must spend 6 months in quarantine on arrival in the UK. Animals prepared for PETS in a listed country, that are then entered into a non-listed country must also spend six months in quarantine in the UK.
To bring your dog or cat into the UK under PETS from one of the listed countries you must have it first microchipped, then vaccinated against rabies and then blood tested. There are no exceptions to this order of preparation apart from the exemption explained in the next sentence. If your pet is resident in certain countries these procedures may be done in a different order.
There are no requirements for pets travelling directly between the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
This page gives a short summary of the PETS rules. Each title is a link to more detailed information. Please make sure that you have read and understood all of these pages before you bring your pet into or back into the UK. If you are bringing your pet to the UK from a non-EU listed country or territory, there is some more information that you must read.
Where PETS procedures can be carried out
Your pet can be fitted with a microchip in any country. The rabies vaccination (including boosters), blood sampling, issuing the PETS documentation and the tick and tapeworm treatment must all be carried out in the UK or any of the other qualifying countries (see below).
The six month rule for entry or re-entry to the UK
Your dog or cat may not enter the UK under PETS until six calendar months have passed from the date that your vet took the blood sample which led to a satisfactory test result (see below). Once the vet has issued the PETS documentation and that six month period has passed, the PETS documentation is valid for your pet to enter the UK.
The 21 day wait before moving from one EU country to another.
There is a 21 day wait before your pet can enter other EU countries.
The procedures
- Have your pet microchipped
Before any of the other procedures for PETS are carried out, your pet must be fitted with a microchip so that it can be properly identified. - Have your pet vaccinated
After the microchip has been fitted your pet must be vaccinated against rabies. There is no exemption to this requirement, even if your pet has a current rabies vaccination - Arrange a blood test
After your pet has been vaccinated, it must be blood tested to make sure that the vaccine has given it a satisfactory level of protection against rabies. - Get PETS documentation
For animals being prepared in an EU country, you should get an EU pet passport. If you are preparing your animal in a non-EU listed country you will need to obtain an official third country veterinary certificate although note that Croatia, Gibraltar, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland are also issuing passports. - Before your pet enters the UK, it must be treated against ticks and a tapeworm
Your pet must be treated against ticks and tapeworms not less than 24 hours and not more than 48 hours before it is checked in with an approved transport company for its journey into the UK. - Arrange for your animal to travel with an approved transport company on an authorised route
Your pet must enter the UK from a listed country travelling with an approved transport company on an authorised route.
Countries eligible for PETS
Assistance dogs
The Guide Dogs For The Blind Association, in partnership with other UK assistance dog and cat organisations, Defra and a number of UK airlines has produced a set of guidelines for assistance dog owners wishing to use the Pet Travel Scheme. Please remember that assistance dogs entering the UK under the Pet Travel Scheme must meet all of the rules of the Scheme.
Importing pet birds
Importer Information Notes - Live birds, hatching eggs and SPF eggs are available here.
Use the appropriate checklist when preparing your pet in: