Pet Passport Procedures

by Diana James, Veterinarian

Please note that on 30th June the UK Government announced major changes to the rules governing the admission of pets to the UK from January 2012. This page will shorlty be updated; in the meantime

1. The rules outlined here continue in force to the end of this year
2. You can find a very clear outline of the changes on the defra web site at

http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2011/06/30/new-rules-pet-passports/

If you have any questions on this topic please contact your vet

The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) allows the entry of pets from certain countries into the UK, without passing through quarantine, using an EU Pet Passport.

To obtain an EU Passport your pet must be:

• Identichipped with an ISO standard microchip, prior to rabies vaccination.
• Vaccinated against rabies with an approved vaccine, the microchip having been read by a vet just prior to giving the vaccine.

  :  Blood tested, with the microchip having been read by a vet, to check that the pet has responded favourably to the vaccine and that there are sufficient antibodies against rabies. This is called the ‘rabies titre’

The passport can now be issued BUT the date of entry into the UK cannot be earlier than 6 months after the blood test was taken. The passport can be issued before a blood test is taken, but it is not valid for re-entry to the UK. You can have the blood test done in France at a later date. 

For example:

- January 1st 2009 the cat is identichipped and vaccinated against rabies.

-  February 1st 2009 the cat has its identichip read and is blood tested for rabies ‘titre’.

The results are received and are above the acceptance titre, the cat can enter the UK after August 1st 2009.

Blood result below the acceptance titre, 

-February 15th 2009 identichip read and revaccinated against rabies.

-March 15th 2009, the cat has its identichip read and is blood tested for rabies ‘titre’.

The rabies ‘titre’ is within the acceptance zone and the cat can enter the UK after September 15th 2009.

Therefore it is wise to allow at least 8 months prior to return into the UK.

Validity of passport
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IMPORTANT
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The Pet Passport has an expiry date which is linked to the rabies vaccination. If the date of rabies vaccination is missed – even by 1 day – then the Pet Passport is invalidated and the process must start again from rabies vaccination.
If you are on the yearly rabies vaccination schedule because you live in France, and the same vaccine has a 2 year schedule in the UK, then you can phone Defra if you have lapsed a few days over the vaccine date. They may give an exemption and a telephone log number to quote at the port.

RETURNING TO THE UK.

Once your pet has an EU Pet Passport, he/she can come back into the UK provided that:- 

- at least 6 months has passed from the date of the successful rabies blood test.

- 24-48 hours prior to check-in for the return journey to the UK, a suitably qualified vet treats your pet against ticks and tapeworm, signing the Passport appropriately. The health check page also has to be signed.

- Your pet has not been outside any of the PETS qualifying countries in the 6 months before it enters the UK.

- Your pet is travelling on an authorised route with an approved transport company.

It is wise to keep the certificate of rabies titre, and identichip certificate (or copies) with the Pet Passport. 

Up to date information and answers to many questions can be found on:  www.defra.gov.uk

Before boarding the ferry, or Eurotunnel train, you are responsible for:

- Checking the identity of your pet by scanning with a microchip reader,

- Checking the pet passport presented relates to your pet, is valid and shows that your pet has successfully been vaccinated for rabies,

- Checking that treatment for ticks and tapeworm has been carried out.

If you do not have the correct documentation, your pet will not be allowed back into the UK without going through quarantine, or re-treating with tick and tapeworm treatment.

All the above applies equally to dogs.