Taking Pets to the UK

Written by Mikey (K9)

New rules will make it easier and cheaper to take pets to the United Kingdom from January 1st 2012.
Dog and cat owners will notice the difference as the UK will harmonise its pet movement rules with the rest of the European Union, bringing the UK’s Pet Travel Scheme into line with the most recent science.

The UK will maintain its high level of protection against animal diseases after the changes, which have the potential to save pet owners hundreds of pounds in fees.

However, forcing pets to spend six months in quarantine, a practice dating from the 1800’s is no longer necessary because of vastly improved rabies vaccines and treatments.

All pets will still need to be vaccinated against rabies but pets from the EU and Tenerife will no longer need a blood test and will only have to wait 21 days before they travel. The changes will ensure the risk of rabies coming to the UK remains extremely low.

The Health Protection Agency considers Spain a ‘no risk’ country for rabies. It is estimated the possibility of a person dying from rabies obtained from a pet, is once in 21,000 years!

The EU pet movement scheme has been working well for a decade and it makes sense for the UK to come into line with everyone else, making it easier and cheaper for those who wish to travel with their pets to the UK.

Dog tapeworm is common in Southern Spain so the UK must continue to protect the public against the risk of serious tapeworm infections, so tapeworm control will remain in force.
Tick treatment for pets returning to the UK will no longer be required.

Detailed information on what pet owners and vets need to do before bringing a pet to the UK can be found at   "http://defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel" http://defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel  or obtained from +44(0)870 241 1710

http://www.k9tenerife.com/

Transporting your Pet from Tenerife to the UK

STEP BY STEP GUIDE - WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

Rabies
Take your pet to the Vet's to have his/her Rabies injection.  Approx cost  €25.

Blood Test

After they have had their Rabies injection - count 30 days (must not be under 30 days) or more than 3 months and take them to the Vet's for their blood test. Approx cost €50 - €70  depending if it is a cat or dog. A cat will be more expensive because he/she has to be sedated first.
You then wait for the results to come through approx 3/4 months to see if the blood test was correct for shipping your pet home. From the day of the blood test you have to count 6 months before your pet can fly to the UK.

Passport

You must make sure your pet has a Pet Passport - this is blue in colour with the European Sign on the front.  If you need to convert your current book to the Pet Passport the cost of this is €25

Travel Cage
You must make sure your cage for your animal is Airline Approved.  If it is for a dog the animal must be able to stand up and turn around and his/her head must not touch the top of the cage.
The cost of cages can vary, there are some good places where these are sold at a much cheaper rate than the Airport or Air Carrier.

Airline
There are many Pet Carriers from Tenerife to the UK - ring around for the best price.
Approximate price and this will vary from carrier to carrier is €600 for the first pet and approx €190 for every pet thereafter.  The maximum amount of animals per consignment is four.

Fit to fly
You must take your pet to the Vet's more than 24 hours before the pet fly's and no less than 48 hours.  The vet will administer tick and tapeworm treatment and give your pet one final health check and then produce a certificate that the pet is fit to fly on that given date.
The charge for this will be a nominal amount and will vary.

Annual injections
These must be up to date and not a day overdue.

If the above is adhered to then your pet will be able to enter the UK, customs clearance approx 2 hours. Your carrier should deal with all this and they will check all your documentation normally 24 hours before your pet is due to fly, to make sure all the above has been carried out properly. You will also find that your vet will advise you as you go.

Your Pet is Important !
Please give him/her the chance to go home with you and not to be given to the nearest Animal refuge.


Written by Shirley Ann Burton - Pet Sitter ring 666  282 275  or  626 707 216
Email: shirleyannburton33@hotmail.com


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What to do if you need to take your dog back to the UK from Tenerife:

No matter how much you might convince yourself that you will never leave this island, sometimes situations are beyond your control. If you have a dog then it is best to be prepared, after all, why leave you best mate behind when it is so easy to take them with you now?

In order to get your dog into the UK you will need to ensure they are microchipped and have their annual vaccination up to date (this is the one which covers Parvovirus, Distemper, Leptospirosis, Hepatitis, and Parainfluenza). Also you will need to have vaccinated them against Rabies AND carried out the blood test.
 

There is a 6 month period from the date the blood is taken for testing where the dog is not allowed to set foot on UK Soil. (They can be flown back in this time however they will be immediately quarantined at the other end for however long remains). Once you have had the initial blood test you WON'T need to keep this up each year. As long as the Rabies vaccination is administered over here annually on exactly the same date or shortly before, the blood test need not be done again. So, as long as you have seen to all of the above prior to the decision to move, there is no reason why your dog can’t travel with you.

When it comes to actually leaving, be sure to obtain an Airline Approved Container which allows the dog to stand and turn inside it, also ensure that the airline does actually accept dogs (if you wish to take them on the same flight as you). Twenty to forty eight hours before flying, the dog will need to see the vet for one final check up to ensure he is healthy enough to travel and has been de-flead and wormed.
 

So, be sure to take your fluffy friend with you if you return to the UK. As long as you are prepared, they are just as welcome on board the plane as you are. 

Written by Steph Tufft - Dog Groomer and Trainer -Ring on 628859973 website for appointment

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