For some, making the decision to move to another country may have been easy and quick.  Unfortunately, if you want to take your pet along with you, it will take you at least 7 months to prepare your pet as well as their paperwork!

Why does it take so long?????

Well, certain countries have specific rules and regulations when it comes to importing animals.  Just to make things easy, this page will explain the steps needed to travel to the United Kingdom.  You will find that the UK’s standards for importation are very similar to other countries.

If you would like information on traveling to a country other than the UK please click on the link below.

Visit htpp://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ncie/iregs/animals/

This site will give you a list of countries to choose from.  Choose the country which you will be either visiting or moving to and you should find all of the information that you need.  If you still have questions, just contact Tania@devonvet.com and I will try my best to help you in any way that I can.

MOVING TO THE UNITED KINGDOM

STEP 1 – MICROCHIPPING YOUR PET

Before anything is done with your pet, it MUST be microchipped and it must be microchipped with an ISO (International Standards Organization) Standard microchip.

At Devon Veterinary Hospital, we use Home Again microchips.  This microchip is approved by the ISO.

STEP 2 – RABIES VACCINATION

After the microchip is in place, a rabies vaccine can be administered.  It is very important to make sure that the microchip is in place prior to vaccinating.  If an animal is vaccinated and the pet is not microchipped, it will have to be revaccinated. 

The reasoning behind this is for identification purposes.  This makes it impossible for you to use one animal for the testing and transport another.  Your pet’s microchip number MUST be on every document that is produced.  This would include the Rabies Certificate.

STEP 3 – RABIES ANTIBODY TITRE TESTING

About 2-3 weeks after your pet is vaccinated it will be time to draw blood to test its rabies antibody titre.  This test is used to show that the vaccine that was administered to your pet is working and producing a sufficient amount of antibodies to protect against rabies.

If your pet’s blood test comes back with a lower number than required, a second blood test will have to be taken and possible revaccination.

Once your pet’s test comes back with a sufficient amount of antibodies, it will be able to enter the destined country 6 months from the date that the blood for the Rabies Titre was drawn. 

STEP 4 -  CERTIFICATION

Now it is time to complete the Veterinary Certificate for Domestic Dogs, Cats and Ferrets Entering the European Community for Non-Commercial Movements.

It is your responsibility to acquire this certificate, although it will be your veterinarian’s responsibility to fill it out.  Certificates can be found at:

 www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ncie/iregs/animals/

Or you can print it from out site by clicking HERE.

Once the certificate is completed by your veterinarian, it is time to mail it to an Official Veterinarian in Harrisburg, PA at the USDA-APHIS.

USDA-APHIS-Veterinary Services

2301 N. Cameron St. Room. 412

Harrisburg, PA 17110

Office (717) 782-3442

Fax (717) 782-4098

STEP 5 – CERTIFICATION RETURNED

After an Official Veterinarian has reviewed your certificate, it will be signed, stamped and mailed back to you.  You will notice that they will also send you a 2nd copy for your personal records.

STEP 6 – TREATMENT AGAINST PARASITES

Between 24 and 48 hours prior to departure, your pet must be treated for ticks and tapeworms.  This is done by applying frontline for the fleas and ticks (tick collars are not acceptable) and giving an oral de-wormer for the tapeworms.

Be sure to bring your approved certificate with you so that the vet can sign off that treatment was administered.