Pet Passports.

As you may be aware travelling with pets from country to country is a mine field of red tape and documents. Here we will take a look at how and when things need to be done to keep it as simple as possible.

If you wish to travel with your pet it takes lots of planning and time. There are a list of countries that will accept pets under the pet passport scheme, You can get a list from DEFRA or if you look on the countries embassy web site that you wish to got to. Most if not all European countries will now accept pets with a valid passport.

So how do you get a passport? Well the first thing you have to do is to have you pet micro chipped this can be done at any age as is a simple procedure inserting a small tracking chip the size of a grain or rice under the loose skin between you pets elbows. This chip should be checked regularly and most vets will do so on each visit. To check it is still working and has not migrated around the body (which is very rare but can happen) The vet will just pass a hand held scanner over your pet until it bleeps. This chip will also help your pet be returned o you should they become lost or stolen. The chip itself hold just a long number and when it is first inserted you will have to fill in a form with all your details and your pets information. Name, age, Breed, colour, Species and unusual markings. The more information you can out in the better.

The next step is for your pet to have rabies Vaccination the first of which can be given at 14 weeks and then a second one is needed 2 weeks later. The vets will need to do a blood test 2 weeks after the last Vacc. This goes to a special lab where they will check to see the pet has sufficient antibodies against Rabies. It is suggested your pet is up to date with routine Vaccinations but it is not necessary for the passport. Once you have a clear blood test the pet will need to go back to the vet where the microchip will be re-tested and a passport filled in and signed by a ministry registered vet. The pet can leave the country but can not re enter until 6 months after the date the blood test was taken. There are other rules regarding the type of wormer you can use and how often the pet must be treated before you go away and before you return home the same goes for flea and tick treatment which is a must for all travel.

The most important thing is to do your research before you decide to take your pet away. Your vet will be able to give you some information but due to rules changing for for some countries from time to time it is ultimately up to you to check with that countries embassy before you book your holiday so you will know exactly what you need to have an do before hand. Also think carefully if you are going away for a couple of weeks is it worth taking the pet? Flights can be expensive in some cases double the cost of flying an adult. Also not ALL airlines will take pets some airports will not accept them either. In some cases I.e. if you are driving to France or Europe then it can be easier to take a pet but you need to research where the local vets are to sign paperwork as you cross country borders. Paperwork is ALWAYS checked and if not filled in or incorrectly completed can result in costly and very long delays to your journey. However, if you are looking at going away for a long time then it can be more cost effective to take the pet with you rather than boarding at home.

The whole passport process takes approx 8 - 9 Months so plan carefully and if you need any advice consult your vet.In a future article we will look at some of the products that can be used for tick treatment and worm control that are accepted for travel around Europe. Also some of the dangers in some of the European countries for our British pets