Cats, dogs and ferrets

The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) allows you to take your pet dog, cat or ferret in and out of the UK to European Union and some other countries without the need for quarantine - providing your pet satisfies the rules.

For your pet cat or dog to qualify for entry into the UK via the Pet Travel Scheme and a pet passport you will need to do the following:

1. 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.

2. Have your pet vaccinated
After the microchip has been fitted, your pet must be vaccinated against rabies. There is no exemption to this requirement - even if your pet has a current rabies vaccination.

3. 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.

4. Get PETS documentation
For animals being prepared in an EU country, you should get an EU pet passport from your vet. If you are preparing your animal in a non-EU listed country you will need to obtain an official third country veterinary certificate (Gibraltar, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland also issue pet passports).

5. Before your pet enters the UK, it must be treated against ticks and tapeworm
Your pet must be treated against ticks and tapeworms not less than 24 hours and not more than 48 hours before it is checked in with an approved transport company for its journey into the UK.

6. Arrange for your animal to travel with an approved transport company on an authorised route
Your pet must enter the UK from a listed country travelling with an approved transport company on an authorised route.