Movement of pets
Movement of pets from the UK to another EU country
Under the EU pet movement scheme, all pet dog and cats moving between EU member states must meet the same animal health rules.
Your pet must be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies and have a valid pet passport. Where applicable its rabies boosters must be up to date.
Dogs must have been treated for tapeworm between 1-5 days before travel.
Should your pet’s vaccination against rabies have lapsed, or if it is still within the 21 day period, we can arrange for another vaccination and/or look after your pet during this period, if required.
As with pet travel into the UK, tick treatment is not a mandatory requirement, however we would advise that this is carried out, and can arrange this for you.
The check list on the right may be helpful to you when organising your pet travel.
If you are unsure regarding any of these points, just ask, we are here to help.
- Is your pet microchipped?
- Is it currently vaccinated against rabies?
- Was it vaccinated after it was microchipped and was the rabies vaccination administered as per the vaccine manufacturers’ data sheet?
- Do you have an EU pet passport from your vet certifying the microchip and vaccination?
- Have at least 21 days passed since it was vaccinated?
Movement of pets from the EU to the UK
In January 2012 the rules changed concerning the movement of pets.
Microchip
Before any other procedure is carried out, your pet must be fitted with a microchip so it can be identified.
Vaccination
After your pet has been microchipped it must be vaccinated against rabies.There is no exemption to this requirement. Even if your pet has had a vaccination against rabies prior to micro chipping, it must be done again. Rabies boosters must be kept up to date.
After the first vaccination the length of the waiting period before entry to the UK is 21 days.
As long as your rabies boosters are kept up to date, a waiting period is not required for subsequent entry into the UK.
Documentation
Animals travelling throughout Europe should have an EU pet passport. This can be obtained from your vet at the time of micro chipping or vaccination.
Tapeworm treatment (dogs only)
Before entering the UK all dogs must be treated for tapeworm. The treatment must be administered by a vet not less than 24 hours and not more than 120 hours (1-5 days) before its scheduled arrival tie in the UK.
NB. There is no mandatory requirement for tick treatment, however, Petz on the move would advise that this simple process is carried out and can offer this service for you.
On a personal note, Anne and I administer tick treatment to our pets every calendar month.