Travelling abroad with your pet
More and more pets are travelling abroad with their owners under the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) which enables dogs, cats and ferrets to return to the UK after travelling to an increasing number of destinations without quarantine.
For your cat to be eligible to travel under PETS, there are a number of guidelines which must be adhered to, including:
- Your cat should be microchipped
- After the microchip has been fitted, your pet must be vaccinated against rabies
- Your vet will then carry out a blood test on your pet to ensure that the vaccine has worked and will protect your cat against rabies. Cats can’t enter or re-enter the UK until 6 calendar months after this blood test has confirmed protection against rabies
- Following this confirmation, your vet will issue you with an official PETS passport
- 24-48 hours prior to entering or returning to the UK, you will have to arrange for an authorised vet to treat your cat for tapeworm and ticks. This treatment will be recorded on a separate official certificate of treatment
Finally, remember to pack a ‘travel bag’ for your pet including his bedding, food, water supply and things like his favourite toys. Your cat should also have plenty of room to turn around and lie down while you’re on route.
For further information on travelling abroad with your pet, contact your vet.
