The U.K. PET Travel Scheme

From December 11, 2002 properly documented dogs and cats from the U.S. and Canada can enter the U.K. under the U.K. Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) without spending any time in quarantine. The process requires several detailed steps (in this order): your pet must be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies and then receive a blood test from a U.S. veterinarian. After reviewing the above paperwork, a USDA-authorized veterinarian can supply the official PETS certificate needed to bring your dog or cat into the U.K.. With the proper paperwork in hand, and a final treatment against ticks and tapeworms shortly before travel, your pet can enter the U.K. together without a quarantine requirement!

For a fact sheet and more information, visit the PETS website at www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm or call the PETS Helpline on 011-44-870-241-1710 (Monday to Friday - 08.30-17.00 U.K. time).

A few Pet Scheme points to keep in mind:

We strongly encourage any pet owner interested in bringing their cat or dog into the U.K. to carefully review the U.K. Government websites and information pages to ensure close adherence to the requirements. The PETS process is very detailed and takes at least six months to complete. Any pet not meeting the requirements will be quarantined upon arrival in the U.K.

If the microchip does not meet an International Standards Organisation (ISO) specification, you would be advised to bring your own microchip reader.

Dogs and cats must be at least three months old before beginning the PETS process.

Any U.S. vet can microchip and vaccinate your pet and arrange the blood test, but only a USDA-authorized vet can issue the official PETS certificate.

The certificate will have validity dates and your pet can only enter the U.K. between these dates.

Before your pet can enter the U.K., a vet must treat it for ticks and tapeworms 24 to 48 hours before your cat or dog is checked in for travel. At the port of entry to the U.K., you must present an official certificate from your vet to show that this treatment was completed in the required time period.

Pets coming to the U.K. under PETS must travel on specially approved air routes. They will need to travel as cargo in a container bearing an official seal. The airline will be able to help you with these arrangements. You are advised to contact them before you travel and check costs, requirements and procedures. Your pet and its paperwork will be checked when it arrives.

Pet Travel Scheme (PETS)
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Area 201, 1a Page Street
London SW1P 4PQ
Telephone: +44 (0) 87 0241 1710
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7904 6834
E-mail: pets.helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Internet: www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm

back to top ^