Bringing Pets into the UK
There are two choices:
1. Pet Travel Scheme PET
2. Quarantine of 6 months, which is not kind to the animals or us!
To qualify for the pet scheme, the cat, dog (including guide dogs and hearing dogs) or ferret must have done ALL of the following:
• Come from the UK or one of the countries in the able below.
• Microchipped (at least 6 months before entry)
• Vaccinated against rabies, after the microchip animal identification. Even if there is a current vaccination.
• Blood tested for rabies, showing sufficient rabies protection, result 6 months before entry.
• Get PETS scheme documentation. This is a pet passport in the EU, other countries have their own documentation.
• Transport into the UK is only via recognised and registered transport companies and certain entry points. So check before booking.
• Treatment for ticks and tapeworm
This is the normal order, however certain countries in Europe, using tattoos as well, can have a slightly different order.
Please note if the pet is transiting via an unlisted country, you need to ensure a certificate from the travel company to confirm it stayed on the ship / plane (or designated airport area) and did not come into contact with other animals.
The pet needs to be treated against ticks and tapeworms not less than 24 hours and not more than 48 hours before you check-in with an approved transport company for the journey that brings your dog, cat or ferret into the UK. This treatment must be recorded in sections VI & VII of the EU pet passport or the third country official veterinary certificate. Any vet qualified to practice in a listed country can carry out and record the treatment or issue an official certificate. You MUST NOT administer the treatment yourself. You also need to do this before the pet leaves the UK.
THERE IS A UK RABIES REVIEW UNDERWAY – SO THESE RULES MAY CHANGE. IN ALL CASES – PLEASE CHECK THE DETAILED INFORMATION
DEFRA Website
Or ring the PETS Helpline on 0870 241 1710.
I hope your pet has a nice time in London or the UK, or you decide to use a local pet sitter, if it is a holiday.
Qualifying European Union (EU) countries and territories
UK-resident dogs, cats and ferrets can travel to any of the EU countries and territories shown below and return to the UK under the Scheme. Pets that come from any of these countries can also enter the UK under PETS as long as they meet the rules. Pets must not have been outside any of the EU or non-EU listed countries in the 6 calendar months before travelling to the UK.
| Austria | Estonia | Hungary | Netherlands |
| Azores | Faroe Islands | Ireland 3 | Poland |
| Balearic Islands | Finland | Italy | Portugal |
| Belgium | France | Latvia | Reunion |
| Bulgaria | French Guiana | Lithuania | Romania |
| Canary Islands | Germany | Luxembourg | Slovakia |
| Ceuta | Gibraltar | Madeira | Slovenia |
| Cyprus 1 | Greece | Malta | Spain |
| Czech Republic | Greenland | Martinique | Sweden |
| Denmark | Guadeloupe 2 | Melilla |
| 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Andorra | Fiji | New Caledonia |
| Antigua & Barbuda | French Polynesia | New Zealand |
| Argentina | Grenadines | Norway |
| Aruba | Guam | Russian Federation (2) |
| Ascension Island | Hawaii | St Helena |
| Australia | Hong Kong | St Kitts & Nevis |
| Bahrain | Iceland | St Pierre & Miquelon |
| Barbados | Jamaica (1) | St Vincent |
| Belarus | Japan | San Marino |
| Bermuda | Liechtenstein | Singapore |
| Bosnia-Herzegovina | Malaysia (3) | Switzerland |
| British Virgin Islands | Mauritius | Taiwan |
| Canada | Mayotte | Trinidad and Tobago |
| Cayman Islands | Mexico | United Arab Emirates (4) |
| Chile | Monaco | USA (mainland) |
| Croatia | Montserrat | Vanuatu |
| Falkland Islands | Netherlands Antilles | Vatican |
| Wallis & Futuna | ||
Countries with a prefix number have specific requirements and restrictions - so visit the DEFRA site.