There are many rules and regulations that surround transporting your pet anywhere outside the UK. In this day and age it is possible for us to take our beloved pets on holiday with us all around the world. Unfortunately it's not as easy as going to the airport getting through customs and jetting off, there are certain laws that surround pet transport.
I'm going to run through a few quick checks you need to have made before you go booking your holidays with the intention of taking your dogs, cats or any other pets you may have with you to a far away country because it's always better to be safe than sorry.
The main body which regulates the import and export of animals and pet transport is Defra. Their main concern is keeping our country and animals free from rabies and thus conduct a scheme known as PETS. Animals that are brought back into the UK from EU territories and other listed countries before the 31st of December 2011 must meet UK PETS re-entry preparations and have received PETS documentation. Here are the main things you need to have done before traveling -
Rabies Vaccinations - Rabies is a horrible disease and could be devastating to our country if we had epidemic, you can get a rabies vaccination from your vet.
Micro-chipping - All pets have to be micro-chipped before traveling, again your vet can do this for you
Blood Sampling - All the necessary blood samples have to done also. Blood tests are done to make sure the rabies vaccine is sufficient enough to protect your animal. The rabies vaccine should be equal to or more that 0.5IU/ml. Make sure your vet gives you the documentation showing this.
These checks should have been done either before you have your pet leaves the country or before the pet transport agency bring your animal back. There are many other government and non government organizations that you can ring or contact that have helpful information regarding moving your pets to and from the UK.
The best and safest thing you can do is make sure that you have all your documentation and vaccinations done before you leave the country this will make the transition easier for your and your animal. Most animal couriers companies will have all the details your require before you travel and if you have not already made the prior arrangements then more often than not they can even get all the documentation and boosters etc sorted out for you.
Try not to avoid any of the laws that are set out by Defra as not complying to the rules set out can end up in your pet being put into quarantine for a minimum of six months.
Visit our site for more pet transport information. We're based in the UK and can transport animals in and around, out of the UK and over to France. All details regarding pet transportation and how we can help you with anything you need you can visit our site and contact us via email or phone.
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