Pet Passports

The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) allows cats to travel to selected countries without quarantine, as long as certain conditions are met. These conditions include the need to book your trip with an approved transport company, using an approved route, and fulfilling certain health related criteria. The list of approved countries, companies and routes is updated quite frequently, so always contact DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), (PETS Helpline: 0870 241 1710) for the latest information before you leave.
 
Preparation
You need to prepare at least seven to eight months before you travel. To qualify for the scheme, your pet must comply with the following conditions, in the order shown:

  • Your cat must be fitted with a microchip. It is recommended that the chip meets ISO  Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO Standard 11785.
  • Your cat must be vaccinated against rabies. Your pet must be at least 3 months old and you need to make sure your vet records the following details on your vaccination certification:
  • Date of birth/age
  • The microchip number
  • The date of vaccination
  • The vaccine product name
  • The batch number
  • The date the booster vaccination is due
  • Your cat may need a blood test to show that the vaccine has given your pet satisfactory protection against rabies. Check with your vet.
  • Your cat must have been issued with an official 'PETS Certificate' by a government authorised vet known as a Local Veterinary Inspector (LVI). Most small animal veterinary practices in the UK have a resident LVI. If not, they will be able to tell you where the nearest LVI works.

Leaving the UK
Once you have completed these steps, call the PETS Helpline for advice on your particular itinerary. It is quite common for countries to have special conditions and documentation requirements that must be met before you enter. For example, you need an Official Export Health Certificate to enter Cyprus, Gibraltar, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. France, on the other hand, requires a document called 'Export of a pet cat or dog to France in accordance with the Pet Travel Scheme' (PETS5), which is issued by the LVI.

Returning to the UK

  • Your cat will need to be treated with Praziquantel for tapeworm and a tick treatment containing Fiprinol 24-48 hours before you check in with the approved transport company. You will need to obtain an Official Certificate from the vet to show this treatment has been carried out and the certificate will need to show:
    • Your cat's micro-chip number
    • The date and time of treatment
    • The products used
    • The vet's signature and stamp
  • This procedure must be carried out every time you bring your pet back into the UK.
  • You must complete a Declaration of Residency form to declare that you have not taken your pet outside the PETS approved countries in the six months prior to re-entering the UK. Declaration of Residency can be completed when you present your pet for checking in, but it's easier to get a copy in advance by ringing the PETS Helpline.
  • You will need to ensure your pet conforms to the 'Six Month Rule,' which states pets cannot enter the UK until at least six calendar months after the date your vet last took a blood sample. This would effectively give enough time for the clinical signs of rabies to appear if your pet had been infected either before or at the time of vaccination. Note that as long as your pet has a rabies vaccination booster on time, an additional blood test and six month wait won't be necessary.
  • You cannot bring a pet into the UK under the Pet Travel Scheme from a private boat or plane.
  • When you return to the UK from a long haul destination, you will need to ensure a government official in the country you are leaving from fixes a seal to the carrier your cat is travelling in. The official will then need to write the number of the seal onto the tick and tapeworm certificate if you are bringing your pet into the UK.

Countries eligible for PETS
You can travel to a growing number of countries in Europe and further afield under PETS. For the latest information visit the DEFRA website.

Extra documentation is often required when you travel to a long haul destination, such as an import licence and an Official Export Health Certificate, so check the DEFRA website and the appropriate embassy well in advance to confirm what you need.

Your pet's welfare
Cats must be sufficiently fit and healthy to travel and will not normally be allowed if they are ill or injured; have given birth within 48 hours of a journey; or are heavily pregnant and likely to give birth during the journey.

Ensure the carrier your pet is travelling in does not contain anything that could cause injury. It must also have adequate ventilation. Appropriate and absorbent bedding should be provided, which may need to be changed during a very long journey.

Introducing your cat to a travel carrier for short periods of time before travelling should help reduce the stress of transport, whilst familiar objects (e.g. toy or cloth) always provide some reassuring comfort.

Finally, make sure your pet has access to water at all times. If the journey lasts longer than a few hours, you also need to think about how to make food available. The utensils for watering and feeding should be placed in, or fixed to, the carrier to prevent them being knocked over and the contents spilt.