Bringing your pets to Britain
Your pet is a member of your family, and if you don't want to leave it at home, why not bring it along on your family holiday! Here we explain what you need to know about bringing your pet to Britain:
Pet Travel Scheme (PETS)
The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) is a system that allows pet dogs, cats and ferrets from certain countries to enter the UK without quarantine as long as they meet the rules. The rules are to keep the UK free from rabies and other diseases.
The UK does not permit the import of dogs, cats or ferrets that have not been vaccinated against rabies.
PETS only applies to dogs, cats and ferrets travelling between the UK and certain countries and territories. Dogs, cats and ferrets must not have been outside any of these countries in the 6 calendar months before entering the UK.
The European regulation which sets the rules for dogs, cats and ferrets to travel between European Community countries and into the Community from other countries also covers the movement of other pet animals:
For details on importing commercially traded animals contact Defra's International Animal Health Division on +44 (0)20 7904 6415 or e-mail: iah-imports@defra.gsi.gov.uk
For more information on PETS, visit the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/index.htm) (Defra), or call: +44 (0)870 241 1710 (Monday to Friday - 08:30 to 17:00).
Rabies quarantine
Cats, dogs and other rabies susceptible animals that do not qualify for entry into the UK under the Pet Travel Scheme and are required by law to spend 6 months in quarantine.
For more information on bringing your pets to Britain, including pet passports and quarantine procedures, visit Defra (www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm).