PETS Travel Scheme

In February 2000 for the first time since 1901, cats and dogs were allowed to enter the UK from certain European countries without spending six months in quarantine, providing they had been through the following procedure: Microchipped, rabies vaccinated, blood tested and found negative for rabies and then six months later official documentation issued. Finally 24 hours before entering the UK the cat or dog is treated for worms and ticks by a vet !

Its easy really...

Well it is, providing you clearly understand the process and know that in reality it will be 7 months before your pet can travel into the UK with you. Full details can be found on: DEFRA PETS Web page Email: pets.helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk Phone: DEFRA +44 (0)870 241 1710 (Monday to Friday - 8.30am to 5pm UK time) You can either download DEFRA PETS Factsheets and print details from the DEFRA Web site or request information to be sent to you. Your local vet in the UK will also be able to give you advice. First of all lets recap the Pets travel scheme (PETS) procedure: Your pet must be:

  1. Microchipped FIRST (some countries register this on a local or national database).
  2. Then rabies vaccinated and the appropriate entries made in a EU Pet Passport.
  3. 30-40 days later a blood sample taken.
  4. Blood sample is sent by your vet to an approved laboratory for analysis.
  5. Depending on the laboratory, approximately 6 weeks later your vet receives the result.
  6. Hopefully the result is negative and your vet will give you the original report from the laboratory (please keep this safe, you will need this report).
  7. You must then wait 6 months from the date the blood sample was taken.
  8. At each stage of this process your vet will enter the appropriate information in your EU Pet Passport: microchip number, vaccination, blood test etc.
  9. Once the 6 months has passed your pet is eligible to travel to the UK.
  10. Before leaving on your trip, your vet will check the health of your pet and enter this examination in your EU Pet Passport.
  11. No earlier than 24 hours but no later than 48 hours before you enter the UK your pet must be treated for worms and ticks by a vet. This treatment will be recorded in your pets EU Pet Passport.
  12. At your point of entering the UK the appropriate customs official will check your pets microchip, your paperwork and get you to sign a declaration that your pet has not been out of one of the approved PETS scheme countries in the past 6 months.

If you are starting your PETS scheme outside the UK here are some basic guidelines based on our experience:

  1. Read the DEFRA Web site, either download PETS fact sheets and print or request them .
  2. Speak to your vet, make sure they partake in the UK PETS Travel Scheme (PETS) and fully understand the procedure, if your vet does not speak English and you do not speak their language, take a translator with you.
  3. If there is anything your vet is unsure about, get them or yourself to check first before continuing
  4. Get your vet the write down the total cost of each stage of the PETS process. That way you will be clear about the whole cost - it soon adds up!.
  5. At each stage of the scheme check that the microchip number and dates are all correct on all paperwork
  6. Remember, microchip first, rabies vaccination second, blood sample third.
  7. If in doubt about anything phone DEFRA they are very helpful.
  8. Remember to make sure you have all your paperwork (except the worm/tick treatment) ready well in advance of your trip. as vets can get ill and take holidays!

Routes for bringing your pet into the UK

There are only specific approved routes to bring your pet into the UK please see Approved routes on the DEFRA web site.

If you have a PETS 1 issued before 30th September 2004

From the 1st October 2004 in accordance with new EU regulations (which came in to effect from 3rd July 2004) you will only be issued with a EU Pet Passport instead of a PETS 1 and a PETS 5 see: DEFRA New EU regulations factsheets, we recommend downloading and reading these factsheets even if you are familiar with the PETS scheme. The EU Pet Passport became valid for travel from 3rd July 2004, prior to this a PETS 1 was issued. PETS 1 ceased to be issued on 30th September 2004 but are valid for travel until they expire. You can however update your PETS 1 for an EU Pet Passport before your PETS 1 expires. DEFRA recommends doing this. The new EU Pets Passport has the advantage of containing all your pets information in one booklet as opposed to the numerous pieces of paperwork.

More information

If you need any advice, in particular regarding starting a cat (or dog:-) on the PETS scheme in Spain please contact us. Disclaimer: All information here is provided in good faith to help you and your pet, we cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies or for the accuracy of third party information and Web sites.