►► You must FIRST have your pet MICROCHIPPED (with an International Standards Organisation (ISO) standard) microchip which means it can be read successfully when your pet enters the UK.  If you choose to use another kind of microchip, you will also need to provide your own microchip scanner to read the chip.

 

►► You must have your pet vaccinated against rabies AFTER it has been microchipped. At the time of vaccination the vet must enter the animal’s microchip number on the vaccination record.  

 

 ►► After the rabies vaccination it MUST be blood tested to ascertain that the vaccination is ensuring a satisfactory level of protection against rabies. Please note: There is a 6 month rule for entering/re-entering the UK whereby pets may not enter or re-enter until 6 calendar months have passed from the date on which a vet took the blood sample that gave a satisfactory test result.  Providing that any subsequent rabies booster vaccinations are given by the required date, your pet will require only one blood test and 6 month wait.

 

If your pet fails a blood test, the test will need repeating and it may be that your pet needs a further vaccination to provide a satisfactory level of rabies protection.

 

►► Following these steps, you MUST obtain the appropriate documentation in order to be able to bring your pet into the UK -  for movement between EU member countries this means an EU Pet Passport which can be issued by a Local Veterinary Inspector (LVI) vet.  Wendover Heights Veterinary Centre is authorised to issue this documentation.

 

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE ALL THE CORRECT DOCUMENTATION, THAT IT IS CORRECTLY COMPLETED AND YOUR PET MEETS ALL THE RULES.  IF YOU DO NOT DO THIS YOUR PET MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ENTER THE COUNTRY OR MAY HAVE TO BE LICENSED INTO QUARANTINE ON ARRIVAL.

 

Remember that the Passport will not be valid until 6 calendar months following a satisfactory blood sample i.e. A satisfactory sample taken on 1 January means that the animal can travel on the Passport on the following 1 July.  If it is issued after the 6 month period has already passed, it will immediately be valid for entry into the UK. However, there is a 21 day wait for validation for travel  from the UK from the date of the animal’s rabies vaccination.

 

►► Before entering/re-entering the UK, your pet must be treated for ticks and tapeworm, not less than 24 hours and not more than 48 hours before entering the UK.  The treatment must be an authorised treatment and must be administered and recorded by an authorised veterinary surgeon.

 

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GUIDELINE PURPOSES ONLY AND YOU WILL NEED TO CONTACT DEFRA OR REFER TO THEIR WEBSITE FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION.  WENDOVER HEIGHTS VETERINARY CENTRE CANNOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY PROBLEMS ARISING FROM INFORMATION OR INTERPRETATION OF THE INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE.