Pet travel scheme
The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) allows pet animals from certain countries to enter the UK without quarantine, provided they meet the scheme’s 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 and dogs, including guide dogs and hearing dogs, ferrets and certain other small mammals and birds.
- Is limited to pets coming into the UK from certain European and long-haul countries.
- Only operates using specific routes and transport companies.
To qualify for PETS your pet must also meet the conditions listed below. Please note, it is vital that the procedures are carried out exactly in this order:
1. Micro-chipping.
2. Vaccination against rabies (not before your pet is 3 months old). If your pet was vaccinated against rabies before micro-chipping, it must be vaccinated again after the chip has been implanted.
3. Blood test. There is a 6 month waiting period from the date the blood was taken before your pet is allowed to travel to the UK. This is because an animal infected before vaccination would not be protected by the vaccine. Six months is the maximum time it takes for an infected animal to show signs of rabies.
4. treatment against ticks and tapeworms (‘Zecken und Bandwuermer’). Between 24 and 48 hours before you check-in with an approved transport company for the journey that brings your pet to the UK, your pet must be treated against ticks and tapeworms. If you travel via Calais you may have to have this treatment administered by a vet in France, details of which you will find under “finding a vet” on the above webpage.
4. treatment against ticks and tapeworms (‘Zecken und Bandwuermer’). Between 24 and 48 hours before you check-in with an approved transport company for the journey that brings your pet to the UK, your pet must be treated against ticks and tapeworms. If you travel via Calais you may have to have this treatment administered by a vet in France, details of which you will find under “finding a vet” on the above webpage.
Your local vet should be able to perform these treatments and arrange for the blood sample to be sent to the official laboratory for testing (in Austria, this is located in Moedling). The blood test need only be done once, provided the rabies booster vaccinations are repeated every year, at the latest on the same day as the previous vaccination. Proof that these tests have taken place must be entered in your pet’s EU Pet Passport by your vet.
Further information
- Full details on the above, including PETS conditions, information for pet owners and for vets, travel routes and carriers are available on the Pet Travel Scheme website, or by calling the PETS helpline on +44 (0)870 214 1710.
- Animals First is a private company based in Austria which specialises in animal transport. For further details on their fees and services, please contact the company direct. Please note that the Embassy can take no responsibility for any arrangements you make with a private company.
- In Britain, it is illegal to possess certain types of dogs, which are classified as dangerous dogs. You will not be allowed to travel to the UK with a dog of this category, and meeting the requirements of PETS will not change that.
