Doncaster Council

Pet Travel Scheme (PETS)

The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) is the system that allows pet animals, from certain countries, to enter the UK without quarantine as long as they meet certain conditions. It also means that people in the UK can, having taken their pets to these countries, bring them back without the need for quarantine. 

Pet Travel Scheme Helpline: 
 
Telephone: +44 (0)870 241 1710 (Monday to Friday - 8.30am to 5pm UK time)

Further information about the Pet Travel Scheme Helpline can be found on the 
DEFRA website; http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm

What you need to do to bring your pet into the UK

To bring your pet cat or dog into the UK under the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) from one of the qualifying countries you must carry out the following procedures in the order shown. If your pet is resident in France or Denmark these procedures may be done in a different order. 

Where PETS procedures can be carried out

Your pet can be fitted with a microchip in any country. The rabies vaccination (including boosters), blood sampling, issuing the PETS certificate, the tick and tapeworm treatment and issuing the official certificate of treatment must all be carried out in either the British Isles, the Republic of Ireland or a qualifying country.

The six month rule

Your pet may not enter the UK under PETS until six months have passed from the date that your vet took the blood sample which led to a successful test result (see below). If the vet signs the PETS certificate after that six month period has passed, your pet may enter the UK immediately.

Have your pet Microchipped 
Before any of the other procedures for PETS are carried out, your pet must be fitted with a microchip so that it can be properly identified. 

Have your pet vaccinated 
After the microchip has been fitted your pet must be vaccinated against rabies. 

Arrange a blood test 
After your pet has been vaccinated, it must be blood tested to make sure that the vaccine has given it a satisfactory level of protection against rabies. 

Get a PETS certificate 
Once these steps have been successfully completed, you can get an official PETS certificate from a government authorised vet. 

Before your pet enters the UK, have it treated against ticks and a tapeworm. 

Your pet must be treated against ticks and a tapeworm between 24 - 48 hours before it is checked in for the journey to the UK. Any qualified vet can carry out the treatment. The vet must also issue an official certificate of treatment to show that this treatment has been carried out. If you are going abroad on a day trip with your pet, you will have to have this done before you go. 

Sign a declaration of residency 
Before your pet enters the UK, you will have to sign a declaration (PETS 3) that it has not been outside any of the PETS qualifying countries in the previous six months. 

Certain PETS countries have additional requirements.