It is now possible to take your pet abroad and come back again without the need for quarantine. Some restrictions still apply to the countries your pet can visit and the ports of embarkation and re-entry that you can use. The pet passport scheme covers the EEC, most other Western European countries, North America, Australia and most island nations, and allows you to use most large British ports and airports*. However due to costs and additional restrictions, it is unlikely that travelling on holiday will be practical to anywhere to other than Europe.
How do I obtain a passport for my pet?**
First of all your pet must have an identity chip inserted then a vaccination against rabies. A blood test then has to be taken one month after the rabies vaccine. If the test demonstrates adequate immunity a return passport can be issued and will be valid from 6 months following the date the successful blood test was taken. This means you must allow at least 7 months from the start of the procedure before your pet can return to the UK. An exit-only passport can be issued following the rabies vaccine and you may be able to travel abroad with your pet after just 3 weeks subject to conditions relevant to the countries you are visiting but your pet will not be able to return*. Passports can only be issued by a government licenced vet. Veterinary Surgeon Mr Atkinson is registered for this purpose.
How long is the passport valid?
The length of validity of a passport varies according to the rabies vaccine used and the country of issue. As we use a three year rabies vaccine all passports currently issued by us will be valid from the start date until three years following the previous rabies vaccine. In the case of a first passport this period of validity would therefore be only 29 months. Boosters must be given on time to maintain validity. However, some countries may impose their own restrictions on duration of validity so you should check this before you travel*. If you intend to stay in another country for an extended period (typically greater than 3 months) your pet may then become subject to the regulations of that country and more frequent rabies vaccines may be necessary*.
Is there anything else I need to do to leave or re-enter the UK?
The pet passport is all you need to leave the UK with your dog or cat to travel to the EEC and most other Western European countries but in order to re-enter, they must be treated for ticks and tapeworm with an authorised product, by a government licenced vet in the country you are visiting, 24 - 48 hours before you return. Most non-European countries impose additional entry requirements and you should check with them or DEFRA before you leave. Even if additional health certificates are not an entry requirement for countries you intend to visit, they may be required to travel by air or by a shipping agent. Although treatment against ticks and tapeworm is all that is obligatory to return to the UK, dogs and cats are at risk from certain exotic diseases that are prevalent abroad. This applies to most of Europe, especially mediterranean countries.**
How much does a first passport cost?
The costs are likley to include the microchip, rabies vaccine, blood test and administration for the issue of the passport. These costs vary depending on laboratory fees, whether your pet is already chipped and how many rabies vaccines are given (we would recommend two rabies vaccines, two weeks apart, to maximise the chance of success as up to 20% of blood tests will fail after one vaccine). The likely cost of the whole process will therefore be between £165 and £215, possibly more if further blood tests have to be taken. There may be some additional fees for procedures necessary to satisfy entry requirements for certain countries.
* Further information is available from DEFRA by visiting their website at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/index.htm or calling 08702411710.
** If you would like a fact sheet on pet passports and diseases your pet may pick up when abroad, please request one via our contact page. This can be emailed or faxed to you.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for information only and relates only to travelling with a dog or cat on a pet passport. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are able to comply with regulations related to the import of animals into other countries and we can take no responsibility for any issues related to travelling with your animals.We suggest that you check with DEFRA and the representatives of the countries to which you intend to travel that no other restrictions apply.
