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London Dog Forum > Dog Information & Dogs Lost > Dog Travel > Easy Guide To The Pet Travel Scheme from January 1st 2012
Easy Guide To The Pet Travel Scheme from January 1st 2012
Entering from EU or listed non- EU countries.
1. The microchip - before your dog is vaccinated against rabies and before any further procedures are carried out, you must have your dog micro-chipped. Make sure the chip is read correctly and that the microchip number is entered accurately into the EU pet passport. There is no specific brand of microchip that has to be used but in Europe, ISO (International Standards Organisation) microchips will meet specifications.
Important tip: Get your vet to read the microchip every time you visit.
2. Have your dog vaccinated against rabies – this must be done after the microchip is fitted even if the pet is already vaccinated against rabies. You must wait 21 days after the vaccination date before re-entering the UK or 21 days after the 2nd vaccination date if it is carried out in two parts (whether the vaccine is carried out in one or two parts depends on the manufacturer’s data and your vet will advise). As long as the booster vaccines are kept up to date, no further waiting period will be necessary. A blood test is no longer a requirement for dogs entering from EU or listed non-EU countries.
When your pet has been vaccinated make sure your vet has recorded the following details onto its vaccination record or EU pet passport:
A) Dog’s date of birth/age
B) The microchip number, date of insertion and location in animal.
C) The date of vaccination
D) The vaccine product name
E) The batch number
F) The date its booster vaccination is due according to the manufacturer’s data.
3. Getting an EU Pet Passport - This must be issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV). If there is no OV in your practice, your vet should be able to recommend one or your local Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency Office will help. When you go to pick up your dog’s passport, take your dog with you, his or her identity and his or her vaccination record. Before leaving the UK, make sure your vet has completed Sections I to IV of the pet passport (Section V only applies to dogs entering from non listed non -EU countries that require a blood test.)
Now you have your pet passport you and your dog can leave the UK safe in the knowledge that your dog will be allowed to re-enter as long as the further requirements are fulfilled.
Re-entering the UK.
1. Tapeworm treatment (dogs only) - must be carried out not less than 24 hours and not more than 120 hours before returning to the UK (between 1 and 5 days). A word of warning, a very few of the more rural vets in France use the Drontal injection which is horrifically painful. As long as your dog is treated with a veterinary medicine whose active ingredient is Praziquantel, or an equivalent, there is no reason why your dog should not be given the treatment in tablet form. If you are concerned, then we suggest you take the recommended dose for your dog with you. This is acceptable as long as it is administered by a vet within the required time.
There is no mandatory requirement for tick treatment but we suggest that you read our article of vector-borne disease before travelling and get advice from your vet at least two to three weeks before travelling to make sure that your dog is protected from disease.
2. Dogs must travel with an approved transport company and on an authorised route. Details can be found on the Defra website. Generally dogs crossing to France in their owner’s vehicles go by the Euro Tunnel or by ferry from Folkestone or Dover.
Related Article - TAPEWORMS
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