for all your pets
Pets Passports
Pet Travel Scheme (PETS):
For those of you wishing to take your dog or cat (or ferret) on holiday with you abroad, without needing to put them into quarantine on your return, you will need to get them their own passport. For more information on the PETS scheme go the government website http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/pets/
Passport Requirements:
Your pet needs to be uniquely indentifiable. These days the advised method is to get them microchipped (it also helps at home in case they roam or there are any 'ownership' disputes!)
Your pet can then be vaccinated against rabies. 3-4 weeks later a blood sample has to be taken to ensure an adequate response to vaccination. If the response is adequate a passport can be issued by one the appointed Local Veterinary Inspectors (LVI′s). Your pet is not able to re-enter the country until at least 6 calendar months have passed from a positive blood sample, so it pays to plan ahead. There are other re-entry requirements including worming and flea treatment that have to certified by veterinarians in the country of departure. Further information is available at http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/pets/
PETS requirements are due to change on 1st January 2012. After this date your pet will still need to be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies, but UK animals will no longer need to blood tested, and you only need to wait 3 weeks after the vaccination before you are able to re-enter the UK. Re-entry requirements are also due to change, but at present certain points are still being discussed at EU level.