PEPA Animal Charity:

Is your pet ready to travel if you have to suddenly return to the UK?

 

It takes at least 6 months to prepare your pet for entry to the UK without quarantine.

 

Animal charities throughout the region are receiving more and more calls from British ex-pats who find themselves in the heartaching position of having to leave their pets behind in Spain or having them destroyed when, for a variety of reasons, they must return unexpectedly to the U.K.

 

It takes at least 6 months to prepare your pet dog or cat for entry in the U.K. It is not overly expensive and in so many situations would avoid the distress of leaving a much loved pet behind in Spain. The standard “European Passport” which is issued after the dog or cat is micro-chipped and vaccinated against rabies is not sufficient for entry into the U.K. The animal must be prepared under the U.K. Government Pet Travel Scheme (PETS). If it isn’t it will have to be put into quarantine in the U.K. which is a more expensive option. 

 

Your vet in Spain will prepare your pet for entry to the UK under the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) and will issue you all the necessary documentation.

 

In brief, the requirements are that your pet is:

a)     Micro-chipped by a qualified vet.

b)     Vaccinated against rabies.

c)      Blood tested to ensure that the vaccination has provided the necessary protection against rabies.

d)     Treated against parasites.

 

NB: A period of six months must pass between receiving a satisfactory blood test result and your pet entering the UK.

Ensuring that an animal is ready for entry into the U.K. would save so much distress for owners, their pet and the volunteers who work in animal charities. Full information on the Pet Travel Scheme is given on www.defra.gov.uk

Benji  is a gentle natured 3 year old castrated Podenco whose owner is returning to the U.K. shortly. He’s very loving towards people and has been reared in a family environment with children. Can you give him a home? For more information about Benji and all our other animals please telephone P.E.P.A on 650304746.  www.pepaspain.com

 
Posted by: patricia taylor on 25 March 2010