The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS)

The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) was introduced in February 2000 to enable owners to take dogs and cats to certain countries and to bring them back into the UK without quarantine.

Pets must have a PETS passport to show that they have been:

• Microchipped
• Vaccinated against rabies
• Blood tested

There is then a 6-month wait after the blood test before your pet can re-enter the UK if it leaves the country. Consequently, the whole process can take at least 8 months to complete so must be arranged well in advance of your proposed date of travel.

Travel is restricted to certain routes and travel companies and further information is available on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) page for pet travel or from the PETS helpline on 0870 241 1710.

Additionally, your pet may re-enter the UK only after certain tick and tapeworm treatments have been carried out and certified before arrival. Other treatments are also advisable to help protect your pet against exotic diseases while abroad. Please ask us for more details.