London and Essex Kents Farm Kennels and Catteries

PETS Travel Scheme

On 28 February 2000 the government introduced the pilot Pets Travel Scheme. A brief guide is set out below. Full details are available from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs(DEFRA).

The scheme was initially limited to Western European Countries. From 31 January 2001 the scheme was extended to include a number of "Long Haul Island" countries. From 11 December 2002 the scheme was extended to include the mainland USA (Hawaii was already included) and Canada.

On 3 July 2004 European Union Regulations on the non-commercial movement of pet animals, were introduced. These regulations are intended to harmonise arrangements across the European Union. There are few major changes to the existing scheme but there are some significant issues which can be summarised as follows:

• The UK Government will continue to call the Scheme the Pets Travel Scheme;
• Between 3 July 2004 and 30 September 2004 the new regulations will run in parallel;
• Pets Certificates will be replaced by passports but:
  • Pets Certificates can continue to be issued until 30 September 2004;
  • Pets Certificates will remain valid until their expiry date;
• In future countries will be divided into three categories:
  • European Union Listed countries - to which the scheme applies;
  • Non-EU listed countries - to which the scheme applies with some limitations;
  • Non listed countries which are excluded from the scheme.
• The scheme has been extended to the 8 European Union Countries not previously part of the PETS scheme;
• An additional 9 countries have been included in the Non-EU listed countries;
• There continues to be free movement of cats and dogs between the UK and the Republic of Ireland
• From 1 October 2004 animals from Northern (Turkish) Cyprus will be required to be licensed into quarantine for 6 months when travelling to the UK.
• Ferrets which have been microchipped, vaccinated against rabies, issued with a passport, treated against ticks and tapeworms and have not been outside any of the qualifying countries in the last six months, may enter the UK from other EU countries, subject to using an approved transport company and route - and from Non-EU listed countries subject in addition to six months elapsing from their rabies vaccination.
• Pet rabbits and rodents entering the UK from any EU country or Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican are not subject to any requirements regarding rabies. These animals may enter the UK at any point on any route. Such animals already in quarantine are eligible for early release.
• The arrangements for dogs and cats remain largely unchanged

The scheme remains limited:

• there are detailed health checks required
• it applies only to EU listed and non_EU listed countries - (see lists below)
• it operates only on a limited number of sea, air and rail routes with designated carriers (see list below)
• as yet, there are not designated routes and carriers for all qualifying countries

In addition pet owner's will have had to undertake a number of other precautions well in advance of travel to ensure their pets qualify, including

• have their pet "microchipped" for identification purposes
• after microchipping, have their pet vaccinated against rabies
• after vaccination, have their pet's blood tested at a government recognised laboratory to confirm it has sufficient protection against rabies. Blood testing must have been carried out at least 6 months in advance of entry into England
• obtain a passport indicating that all these procedures have been followed
• treatment for ticks and tapeworms

In certain cases it may be possible for some animals that do not fully meet the requirements of the PETS scheme when imported into the country to be released early from quarantine if the owner can later demonstrate that all of the PETS conditions are met. For example an animal which had a blood test only 4 months prior to import into quarantine might be released after 2 months if all elements of the PETS scheme are now met.

In such circumstances, if the PETS requirements are not met the owner must obtain an import licence and arrange for the animal to be imported into quarantine.

Savannah cats are not eligible to enter the UK under the Pet Travel Scheme. They are listed under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 and require a licence to enter the UK. They must also undertake 6 months quarantine on arrival.

London and Essex Kents Farm Kennels and Catteries can provide the necessary services for early release. Click here for details of our prices.

European Union Countries

Click on a country name to see available routes and carriers for that country. Separate lists provide information on routes for Registered Assistance Dogs and for Air Charter Companies where the whole plane must be chartered.

Denmark includes Faroe Islands and Greenland.
France includes French Guiana, Guadaloupe, Martinique and Reunion.
Norway excludes Svalbard.
Portugal includes the Azores and Madeira.
Spain includes the Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla.

Under PETS, pets from the Channel Islands, Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland can go to any qualifying country and return to the UK as long as they are accompanied by proper official certification.
Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland have each produced their own official PETS certificate.

* There is, as yet, no direct approved route and carrier for countries marked with a red asterisk.
* For Cyprus and Malta the treatment for ticks must contain fipronil.
* Until 30 September 2004 pets may come from any part of Cyprus but the official certification must be issued by the government of the Republic of Cyprus.
*There continues to be no restrictions on the movement of cats and dogs between the UK and the Republic of Ireland

Non-European Union Listed Countries

Click on a country name to see available scheduled routes and carriers for that country. Separate lists provide information on routes for Registered Assistance Dogs and for Air Charter Companies where the whole plane must be chartered.

* There is, as yet, no approved route and carrier for countries marked with an asterisk.

Norway excludes Svalbard.

Entry Routes covered by PETS

Pets may travel on sea crossings from Europe and on the Eurotunnel Shuttle Service only if they accompany passengers with a vehicle, unless otherwise shown.

European Union Entry Routes Covered by PETs

Pets may travel on sea crossings from Europe and on the Eurotunnel Shuttle Service only if they accompany passengers with a vehicle, unless otherwise shown.

Non-European Union Entry Routes Covered by PETs