Pet Travel Scheme
The Pet Travel Scheme allows pet cats, dogs and ferrets from any country, to enter Great Britain without quarantine as long as they meet certain conditions.
The pet travel scheme can only be used for pet dogs, cats and ferrets that are travelling for non-commercial reasons (no intention for sale or transfer of ownership) and the move is associated with the relocation of the owner. Please refer to our Border Inspection Post page for commercial ‘PETS’.
Here at Extrordinair as Edinburgh’s Animal Receiving Centre we can also receive ‘PET BIRDS’. See our Birds page, for more key information.
The rules for entry are as follows;
EU PET Moves;
- Move must occur within 5 days of you/your nominated responsible persons travel and be associated with your transfer of residency
- Must be micro chipped prior to the initial rabies vaccination
- After chipping be vaccinated against rabies and wait 21 days. Note – Date of vaccination is classed as day ‘0’
- Be treated for tapeworm not less than 24 hours and not more than 120 hours (1-5 days) before its scheduled arrival time in the UK. The treatment must contain praziquantel. (Dogs only)
- Not required for dogs arriving from Finland, Ireland, Malta or Norway - Be accompanied by an EU Pet Passport or Endorsed EU Third Country (Annex IV) Health Certificate
- If the Pet has been prepared after the 29th December 2014 the new style pet passport must be used - Be accompanied by an owners declaration. Evidence of the owner/person responsible travel arrangements should be available
- Travel with an approved carrier on an approved route
- Travel as manifest cargo
Listed 3rd Country PET moves;
- The move must occur within 5 days of you / your nominated responsible persons travel and be associated with your transfer of residency
- Must be micro chipped
- After chipping be vaccinated against rabies and wait 21 days - Date of vaccination is classed as day ’0'
- Be treated for tapeworm not less than 24 hours and not more than 120 hours (1-5) days before its scheduled arrival time in the UK. The treatment must contain praziquantel. (Dogs only) - Not required for dogs arriving from Finland, Ireland, Malta or Norway
- Be accompanied by either an;
a) EU Pet Passport
i. Please note that only an EU Official vet can issue and complete the rabies section however any vet may complete the tapeworm page
ii. Be accompanied by an owners declaration
b) Annex IV EU Health Certificate
i. Must be endorsed by the National Government Veterinary Authority
ii. The owner / responsible person’s declaration must be completed
iii. Be accompanied by supporting paperwork e.g. Rabies vaccination certificate
6. Evidence of owner / responsible person’s own travel should be available
7. Travel with an approved carrier on an approved route
8. Travel as manifest cargo
If you cannot comply with point 1 then the movement is considered ‘unaccompanied / commercial’ and the entry rules are slightly different which are as follows;
- Comply with points 2 – 4 shown above
- Be accompanied by an Annex I EU Health Certificate (This certificate must be endorsed by the National Government Veterinary Authority)
Arrive at an approved Border Inspection Post. In the UK there are three such facilities located at;
- Edinburgh (Please visit our Border Inspection Post page for further information)
- Gatwick
- Heathrow
Un Listed 3rd Country PET moves;
- Move must occur within 5 days of you / your nominated responsible persons travel and be associated with your transfer of residency
- Must be micro chipped
- After chipping be vaccinated against rabies
- At least 30 days after vaccination have had a successful rabies titre blood test which has been completed at an EU approved laboratory after which 3 calendar months must pass before travel
a) Approved Laboratories in Non EU Countries & Approved Laboratories in EU Countries http://ec.europa.eu/food/animals/pet-movement/approved-labs/index_en.htm
Note – If the pet is returning on a pet passport where the blood test was completed, prior to its departure it does not require to wait 3 months
5. Be treated for tapeworm not less than 24 hours and not more than 120 hours (1-5) days before its scheduled arrival time in the UK. The treatment must contain praziquantel. (Dogs only)
Not required for dogs arriving from Finland, Ireland, Malta or Norway
6. Be accompanied by either an;
a) EU Pet Passport
i. Please note that only an EU Official vet can issue and complete the rabies section however any vet may complete the tapeworm page
ii. Be accompanied by an owners declaration
b) Annex IV EU Health Certificate
i. Must be endorsed by the National Government Veterinary Authority
ii. The owner / responsible person’s declaration must be completed
iii. Be accompanied by supporting paperwork e.g. Rabies vaccination certificate, Laboratory blood test report
7. Evidence of owner / responsible person’s own travel should be available
8. Travel with an approved carrier on an approved route
9. Travel as manifest cargo
If you cannot comply with point 1 and your pet is originating from a country shown on the enclosed list then the movement is considered ‘unaccompanied / commercial’ and the entry rules are slightly different which are as follows;
- Comply with points 2 – 5, 8&9 shown above
- Be accompanied by an
Annex I EU Health Certificate
- This certificate must be endorsed by the National Government Veterinary Authority
- Arrive at an approved Border Inspection Post. In the UK there are three such facilities located at;
- Edinburgh (Please visit our Border Inspection Post page for further information)
- Gatwick
- Heathrow
Please Note: If your pet is originating from a country which is an ‘Unapproved Unlisted’ country it may only travel under the EU Pet travel scheme and must comply with the 5 day rule. If you are unable to make arrangements for your pet to be accompanied within 5 days of its journey your pet will not be permitted entry to The United Kingdom.
For further information regarding preparation, approved countries, carriers and routes, please see the DEFRA website: https://www.gov.uk/pet-travel-information-for-pet-owners