Travelling Pets

Many people want to take their pets on holiday abroad with them but this isn’t as easy as just asking for a passport.  Your vet can help you with the pet passport procedure, which needs to be started at least 7 months prior to your holiday.

Firstly, if not already done so, your pet must be microchipped.  This involves inserting a microchip under your pet’s skins between the shoulder blades so that it can easily be identified.

The next step is a rabies vaccination.  Most pets respond to just one rabies vaccination but sometimes your vet may suggest a course of two to ensure that your pet reacts to the vaccine.  To ensure your pet has reacted to the vaccine, Imagea blood test is taken at least 14 days after the rabies injection.  This measures the level of antibodies the animal produces and provided it is above a specified level, the animal can be issued with a passport.  If the antibody level is not high enough then the vaccination must be repeated and the blood tested again.

Once you have met all the criteria and your vet has issued your pet’s passport, your pet can leave the country.

However, it is very important to remember that your pet cannot be brought back into the UK for a period of 6 months after the date of the blood test.  This is the equivalent of the incubation period of rabies and it is in place to make sure that your pet did not already carry the virus before the vaccination was given.  At Pet Doctors we recommend annual vaccination to ensure that your pet is fully protected and that their paperwork is correct for both travel abroad and re-entry to the UK.  Whilst a rabies vaccination may now last up to three years certain European countries do require an annual Rabies vaccination.  These requirements may change so we recommend you regularly check at www.defra.gov.uk 

The rabies vaccination may now last up to three years (but see above) after which your pet will need to be re-vaccinated to allow a new passport to be issued.  The blood test does not need to be done again though.

It is worth remembering that your pet can contract other diseases whilst abroad.  Ticks and fleas on the continent can carry some nasty parasites, which can cause disease in humans too.  For this reason your pet needs to be treated with an anti-flea and tick preparation to help ensure it does not bring any unwanted visitors back in to the UK.  Before entry into the UK, you will need to find a vet on the continent to apply a suitable treatment and provide with you with a document confirming this.

If you want to take your pet on holiday abroad, start planning now and see your vet as soon as possible.

The DEFRA website contains full details and the latest information.

Most importantly, if your pet shows signs of illness after returning from abroad, consult your vet immediately.