Pet Travel

In 1999 the Pet Travel Scheme (with the acronym of PETS ) largely replaced the 100 year-old quarantine system for pet cats, dogs and ferrets entering into the United Kingdom. Currently pet rabbits and rodents coming from other EU countries are exempted. The countries and territories from which animals may travel under PETS are:

Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Vatican City.

Entry Into Spain

Standard house pets are usually not problematic to import into Spain as long as they are accompanied by their owners or an agent, are micro chipped, have a valid health record that indicates that they are in good health (this health certificate has a validity of ten days only.) Officials are particularly concerned that their vaccinations are up-to-date and the certificate must show that the pet has had a valid anti-rabies inoculation in the last twelve months.

Certificates should be obtained from the nearest Animal Health Divisional Office in England. A full list of these offices is available by calling:

AHD

+ 44 (0) 845 933 5577 or visiting: www.defra.gov.uk

Exotic animals such as birds, monkeys and other species will need a certificate stating that there has been no local outbreak of disease that would affect the species for the last 60 days. It is best to contact your local Consulate to confirm any change in the legalities.

Owners planning to take their pets back to the UK should be aware of the complexities of the Pet Travel Scheme.

Re-entry Into The UK

Pet owners must arrange for their animal to have a microchip implanted in their animal to give permanent proof of its identity. This can be taken care of with your vet.

Microchips store the vaccination history of each animal and allow government officials, transport companies and foreign veterinarians to have an immediate understanding of each animal's medical history.

Most microchips meet the International Standards Organisation's criteria, however if your microchip is different you must supply a reader.

All vaccinations must occur AFTER the insertion of the microchip, even if this means double vaccinations. The rabies vaccine must be given to the animal and after thirty days a blood test must be performed to assure that the shot has taken affect.

You must check with your veterinarian to arrange a blood test that meets the DEFRA standards. Pets that reside outside the UK or Ireland are required to wait six months after a successful blood test result before entering the UK.

Finally, and most importantly, pets must be treated by a certified vet for tapeworm and ticks between 24 and 48 hours prior to return to the UK.

If you have a query about taking an animal into the UK contact: Defra's International Animal Health Division +44 (0) 207 904 6415 ah-imports@defra.gsi.gov.uk

More information can be obtained on the Internet at PETS website: www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm

For a fact sheet contact PETS:

Helpline

Tel: +44 (0) 870 241 1710
Fax: +44 (0) 207 904 6834
pets.helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk

If you plan to drive to Spain with your animal, cat and dog friendly hotels can be searched for on the pettravel.com website: www.pettravel.com/destinations/Spain_EU.cfm