Six months in the south of France– how does that sound? For some European Union citizens, it is an opportunity that cannot be missed. But those who have pets might have to reconsider the decision because they may not want to leave their pets in someone else’s care when they spend an extended trip abroad. What if I tell you that you can now take your four-legged friend along without any hassle? All you need is an EU Pet Passport and the services of the right worldwide pet transport agency to help you fly off to France. Now, if you are wondering, what is this passport, then this blog is just for you.
What is PETS?
Pet European Travel Scheme or PETS was introduced in the European Union to relax the pet travel restrictions, which made a six-month pet quarantine mandatory for all animals entering or returning to the EU. The primary aim of this rule was to control rabies. In October 2001, the European Union approved PETS, which states that animals from any member countries can travel freely to another member nation in approved carriers. With time, many other countries integrated this rule in their pet import system, which include the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.As long as you follow the PETS steps, your pet will not be quarantined in another EU country.
A Pet Passport is the document you need to let your pet travel between countries. It records information about a particular pet. This can be a number of forms, a pink A4 sheet, or a small blue booklet. You will microchip or tattoo your animal and obtain certification that the pet has undergone rabies vaccination. This booklet or document needs to be signed by an officially approved veterinary surgeon.
UK and EU System
With Brexit becoming a fact, pet importation rules may change with little notice. As of October, 2016 the UK follows the EU PETS with a couple of additions. If you are taking your dog to the UK, then it needs to undergo a vet-administered tapeworm treatment24 to 120 hours before entering the country. All pets entering or leaving the UK must move as manifest cargo.
As for the rest of the EU countries, the laws are much more relaxed. You need to microchip the pet, vaccinate and wait for 21 days from the date of the rabies vaccination. This will count the rabies jab; later the vet will refer to this for determining the health of your pet. Unlike the UK, many countries in the EU allowpets to travel in a car or a bus and they even let them in restaurants.
New Regulations
According to new rules in the UK, Sweden and Malta, if the pet is coming from a rabies-free country or a country with low rabies occurrence, then the Blood Titer Test is not required. The owner does not need to show certificate of treatment for ticks. In the EU countries, puppies and kittens do not need to be vaccinated for rabies, because they are too young for the test. On the other hand, EU countries like Austria, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Luxembourg and Switzerland allow pets to enter their country unvaccinated.
More and more people are opting for worldwide pet transport services to take their pets on extended trips. While a competent agency would guide you every step of the way, it helps to stay informed about the various rules and regulations. It is recommended that you keep your pet’s vaccination up-to-date and find out the rules for pet travel to any country to which you are traveling.
