Pet Passports

From 1 January 2012, the rules for pets entering the country will change as the UK aligns its Pet Travel Scheme with the EU-wide pet movement system.

For pets arriving from the EU and certain non-EU countries (e.g. USA, Australia and Japan), those rules will be simpler than they are now. For example, pets will no longer require a post-vaccination blood test and the pre-entry waiting period will be considerably shorter.

I would also draw your attention to the fact that pets coming from other non-EU countries which are not “listed” in the Regulation (e.g. China and South Africa) will be entitled to enter the UK for the first time from 1 January 2012 without having to undergo six months compulsory quarantine provided they meet the entry controls as set out in Annex 1.

Under the new rules, pets entering or re-entering the UK will continue to be checked in order to ensure that they meet the requirements of the Scheme. If a pet fails to meet the entry requirements when it arrives in the UK, the owner is likely to want to place their pet in quarantine. Quarantine provides a highly valuable service in accommodating such pets until disease-control requirements have been met. Therefore, although the mandatory requirement to quarantine pets from certain countries will cease from 1 January 2012, quarantine will still retain a vital role in dealing with non-compliant animals entering the UK.

For some pet owners, voluntary quarantine may be the preferred option for bringing their pets into the UK instead of meeting the entry controls. This option will continue to be available for those pet owners, who, for example, are not able to meet the entry requirements or need to travel with their pets at short notice, so that they can choose to voluntarily place their animals into quarantine and apply for an import licence beforehand as they do at present. It is expected that this will continue to be an important function for quarantine centres.

Entry rules for pets entering the UK from the EU and listed third countries:

What has to be done

Prior to January 2012

Now - as of the 1st January 2012

Microchip

Yes

Rabies vaccination

Yes

Blood test

Yes

Pre-entry waiting period

Yes

Length of waiting period

6 months from date sample taken for blood test

21 days after vaccination against rabies

Tapeworm treatment

Yes (24-48 hours before embarkation to UK)

DOGS ONLY – worm treatment to be given within 5 days of arrival into the UK. Must contain ingredient PRAZIQUANTEL

Entry rules for pets entering the UK from unlisted third countries: