If you’re travelling in the EU with your pet you need to be aware of changes that came into effect at the end of 2014.
Existing passports will be valid for the lifetime of the pet or until there’s no more room to update the treatment spaces in the passport.
New passports issued from 29 December 2014: new pet passports will include laminated strips and a requirement for your vet to complete the details on an “Issuing of the Passport” page including their contact details when they authenticate treatments and vaccinations for your pet.
New rule: Pets must be at least 12 weeks old before being vaccinated against rabies for travel purposes.
New requirement: All member states in the EU to carry out checks on their borders (the UK already checks all pets coming into the country through approved routes).
New rule: Tighter definition of non-commercial movement which will mean owners who cannot travel with a pet when they enter the EU, must do so within 5 days; owners can still authorise another person to travel with their pet, but the pet and authorised person must travel within 5 days of each other.
The EU pet travel scheme limits owners to travel with five pets within the EU and/or return to the UK, unless you are going to a show or competition in which case you will need to comply with additional rules.
Pets entering Britain on approved routes will continue to be checked by the carriers prior to boarding, (sea, rail, air).
The main requirements of the scheme remain the same.
If you are entering the UK from France the rules are:
Pet must be identified with a microchip
Pet must have received a rabies vaccination followed by a 21 day wait
Pet must be accompanied by the relevant documentation
Dogs must be treated against tapeworm
Enter with an approved transport company on an authorised route
More details from:
