A rabies vaccination is required 30 days prior to travel.If you intend to re-enter the UK, the Passport for Pets scheme needs to be joined at least 7 months before the date of travel.
A blood test is also required. This must not be taken until after 30 days of the rabies vaccination.
The date of entry to the UK is stipulated as no sooner then six months from the date that the blood was tested.
For further information, contact Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Microchipping your pet is only necessary when travelling overland, it is not required for exporting to Europe.
Prior to travel, your vet will have to examine your pet and issue the necessary documents. A Health/Export certificate can only be obtained from the Animal Health Division of your local DEFRA office.
Air travel containers must conform to the
Shipment of Live Animals regulations.
Your vet should inform you about any specific precautions and vaccinations that may be necessary for the area you are going to.
Pets in France
The importation of cats and dogs under three months old is prohibited. Cats and dogs require an export certificate, issued within five days of departure, by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; this certificate states that England has been free of rabies for over 3 years and that the animal has been residing in England for over 6 months or since birth. They also require a Good Health Certificate issued by a MAFF recognised Vetenary Inspector within 5 days of departure. However if you are travelling to France under the Pet Travel Scheme you will need to get a PETS 5 certificate to enter France.
The animals must now be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days before departure allowing time for the immunity to develop. Once a blood test shows sufficient levels of the rabies antibodies the pet qualifies for a British pet passport. After the pet has resided in France for more than 3 months it is considered as a resident and must comply with French laws.
For re-entering the UK: to qualify for the Pet Travel Sheme (PETS) they must meet certain conditions e.g microchipped, vaccinated against rabies, blood tested, get an official PETS certificate and be treated against ticks and a tapeworm by a vet who can issue the relevant certificate. You must sign a certificate stating the the animal hasn't been outside any PETS qualifying countries with the previous 6 months. Pets not meeting these requirements must spend 6 months in quarantine.
For more information:
PETS Helpline on 0870 241 1710 (8h30 - 17.00 Monday to Friday)
www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm
E-mail helpline@defra,gsi.gov.uk
Dogs Away: association which can give you information on how to get your pet passport and the different rules when travelling abroad with your pet.
Dogs Away
Barnet Herts EN4 0HJ
Tel: 0870 201 2501
www.dogsaway.co.uk E-mail: contact@dogsaway.co.uk
DANGEROUS DOGS LIST The law of 6 January 1999 is aimed at avoiding accidents caused by dogs likely to be dangerous, classifying these into two categories. The list of dogs in each category is set down in the decree of 27 April 1999. These are its contents:
Within the 1st category of dogs called fighting dogs (pit bulls, boerbulls and dogs similar by their morphological characteristics to a pedigree Tosa). Entry into France by these dogs in the 1st category is completely prohibited.
Within the 2nd category of guard and protective dogs: pedigree dogs - American Staffordshire terrier, Rottweiler, Tosa… These dogs must be muzzled and kept on a lead. Dogs in the 2nd category can enter France with their owners, provided that their birth certificate and pedigree book are presented to the customs authorities, proving that they do in fact belong, for French Law, in the 2nd category.