Changes to Pet Travel Scheme from 1 January 2012
From the 1 January 2012 all pet dogs, cats and ferrets (including guide and hearing dogs) can enter or re-enter the UK without quarantine provided they meet the rules of the scheme, which will be different depending on the country the pet is returning from.
Animals which do not meet all the rules must be licensed into quarantine. They might then be able to obtain early release if they can be shown to comply with the necessary pet travel requirements.
Entry rules for pets entering the UK from the EU and listed non-EU countries
| What has to be done |
Now |
From 1 January 2012 |
| Microchip |
Yes |
Yes |
| Rabies vaccination |
Yes |
Yes |
| Blood test |
Yes |
No |
| Pre-entry waiting period |
Yes |
Yes |
| Length of waiting period before entry to the UK |
6 months from date sample taken for blood test |
21 days after vaccination against rabies |
| Tick treatment |
Yes (24-48 hours before embarkation to UK) |
No |
| Tapeworm treatment |
Yes (as for tick treatment) |
Yes (24 hours-5 days before embarkation to the UK) |
Entry rules for pets from unlisted non-EU countries
| What has to be done |
Now |
From 1 January 2012 |
| Microchip |
Yes |
Yes |
| Rabies vaccination |
All pets from unlisted third countries are licensed into quarantine for 6 months and vaccinated against rabies on arrival. |
Yes |
| Blood test |
This rule does not apply for entry from unlisted Non-EU countries. |
Yes. Blood sample must be taken at least 30 days after vaccination. |
| Pre-entry waiting period |
This rule does not apply for entry from unlisted Non-EU countries. |
Yes |
| Length of waiting period before entry to the UK |
This rule does not apply for entry from unlisted Non-EU countries. |
3 calendar months from the date of a successful blood test |
| Tick treatment |
Yes |
No |
| Tapeworm treatment |
Yes |
Yes (24 hours-5 days before embarkation to the UK) |
- Listed non-EU countries are detailed below but please check the Defra website for latest details
| Andorra |
Fiji |
Saint Maarten (*) |
| Antigua & Barbuda |
French Polynesia |
San Marino |
| Argentina |
Guam |
Singapore |
| Aruba |
Hawii |
St Helena |
| Ascension Island |
Hong Kong |
St Kitts & Nevis |
| Australia |
Iceland |
St Lucia |
| Bahrain |
Jamaica (*) |
St Pierre & Miquelon |
| Barbados |
Japan |
St Vincent & The Grenadines |
| Belarus |
Liechtenstein |
Switzerland |
| Bermuda |
Malaysia (*) |
Taiwan |
| BES Islands (Bonair, Saint Eustatius and Saba) (*) |
Mauritius |
Trinidad and Tobago |
| Bosnia-Herzegovina |
Mayotte |
United Arab Emirates (*) |
| British Virgin Islands |
Mexico |
USA (mainland) |
| Canada |
Monaco |
Vanuatu |
| Cayman Islands |
Montserrat |
Vatican |
| Chile |
New Caledonia |
Wallis & Futuna |
| Croatia |
New Zealand |
|
| Curacao (*) |
Norway |
|
| Falkland Islands |
Russian Federation (*) |
|
* astrix indicates specific information relating to these countries so please go to the Defra website for latest list
- Unlisted non-EU countries are those not in the EU or not included in the above list
Related Link
Contact Details
028 90 524622 or email tradeadminpost@dardni.gov.uk
