Customs & immigration
Travelling with pets
Dogs, cats and ferrets from certain countries are able to enter Britain via selected ports of entry under the pilot Pets Travel Scheme without quarantine – provided certain conditions are met. Animals other than those identified will have to be quarantined for six months at approved premises. There are no exceptions and any illegally imported animal is liable to be destroyed. This regulation is also in effect for the Channel Islands.
Work is continuing on an assessment of the risks if pets from other parts of the world are exempted from quarantine, and an announcement will be made once this work has been completed.
For further information and advice, including the latest update on the Pets Travel Scheme, please contact:
DEFRA – Department for Food and Rural Areas
Information Resource Centre
Lower Ground Floor
Ergon House
c/o Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London
SW1P 3JR
Tel: +44 (0)870 241 1710 (outside the UK: +44 (0)20 7238 6951)
Email: helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Web: www.defra.gov.uk (www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm)