Pet Travel Scheme

The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS for short) is the system that allows pet animals from certain countries to enter the UK without quarantine as long as they meet the rules. It also means that people in the UK can, having taken their pets to these countries, bring them back without the need for quarantine.

The Scheme:

• only applies to pet cats, ferrets and dogs (including guide dogs and hearing dogs).
• is limited to pets coming into the UK from certain countries and territories
• only operates on certain sea, air and rail routes to England
• since 26 May 2010, is limited to 5 pets.

To qualify for the scheme pets must:-

• be fitted with a microchip so the animal can be properly identified;
• be vaccinated against rabies after being microchipped using an inactivated rabies vaccine. The pet must be at least three months old at time of vaccination;
• be blood tested after rabies vaccination to make sure the vaccine has given the animal a satisfactory level of protection against rabies. The blood test must be carried out at a laboratory recognised by DEFRA;
• be treated against ticks and tapeworm between 24 and 48 hours before checking in for the journey to GB;
• be issued with an official certificate to confirm micro-chipping, the rabies vaccination and blood test, and a separate one to confirm the treatment against ticks and tapeworm;
• be accompanied by a signed declaration stating it has not been outside any of the PETS qualifying countries in the previous six months. This has to be filled in and signed on the day of travel to GB.

For more detailed information see Defra's guide to travelling with pets or contact the PETS Travel Scheme helpline:-

• Telephone: +44 (0)870 241 1710 - Monday to Friday - 8am to 6pm UK time (closed Bank Holidays).

• Email: quarantine@animalhealth.gsi.gov.uk Please include your postal address and a day time telephone number.

• Fax: +44 (0)1245 458749.

• Minicom / textphone number for the deaf and hard of hearing: 0845 300 1998

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North Somerset Council, Trading Standards Service, Somerset House, Oxford Street, Weston super Mare, Somerset, BS23 1TG
Telephone: 01275 888634    Fax: 01275 888683
Electronic Mail: trading.standards@n-somerset.gov.uk