Many pet owners move to the United Kingdom each year and want to bring their pets with them. However, there are certain rules and regulations that must be followed in order to import a pet to the UK. In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about importing your pet to the United Kingdom.
Pet Import Restrictions
The UK has strict restrictions on the types of pets that can be brought into the country. Generally, only dogs, cats, and ferrets are allowed to be imported into the UK without a special permit. Other pets, such as rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters, may be allowed, but only with a special permit.
There are also specific breeds of dogs that are not allowed to be imported into the UK. These breeds include:
- Pit Bull Terrier
- Japanese Tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
Vaccination Requirements
All dogs, cats, and ferrets entering the UK must have a valid pet passport. The pet must also have a microchip that can be read by a scanner.
In addition to these requirements, pets must be vaccinated against rabies. The vaccination must be given at least 21 days before travel, and the pet must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of the vaccination. The pet must also have a blood test to confirm that the vaccine has been effective.
Application Procedure
Before traveling to the UK with your pet, you will need to complete several steps to ensure that your pet is allowed into the country. The following steps must be completed in order:
Microchip your pet – The microchip must be inserted before your pet is vaccinated against rabies.
Vaccinate your pet against rabies – The vaccination must be given at least 21 days before travel.
Obtain a pet passport ‚Äì This is a document that contains all of your pet’s important information, including the microchip number, vaccination record, and owner’s details.
Obtain an official third-country veterinary certificate – This document is issued by a veterinarian in the country where you are traveling from. It must be completed no more than 10 days before travel.
Enter the UK – Upon arrival in the UK, your pet may be checked by an official veterinarian to ensure that all of the requirements have been met.
Quarantine Requirements
In the past, all pets entering the UK were required to spend a period of time in quarantine. However, this is no longer the case. As long as all of the requirements have been met, your pet should be allowed to enter the UK without quarantine.
International Travel Schemes
The UK is part of the EU Pet Travel Scheme, which allows pets to travel between EU countries with a valid pet passport. The UK also has its own pet travel scheme, which allows pets to enter the country from non-EU countries as long as they meet the requirements outlined above.
Licensing
There is no requirement to obtain a license for your pet in the UK. However, if you own a dog, you are required by law to have it microchipped and registered with a database.
Government Website
The UK government website provides detailed information on the requirements for importing pets into the country. The website includes information on pet passports, vaccination requirements, and the application process. You can find the website at https://www.gov.uk/bring-your-pet-to-uk.
If you are planning to move to the United Kingdom with your pet, it is important to follow all of the rules and regulations to ensure a smooth transition. By obtaining a pet passport, vaccinating your pet against rabies, and completing the application process, you can ensure that your pet is allowed into the UK without any problems.