Travelling with Pets 

Although the UK has relaxed its quarantine rules to an extent, it still only allows pets to be brought into the UK without quarantine under certain conditions.

Pet Travel Rules

It is not permitted to bring pets into the UK by private boat or plane. They must arrive by an approved transport company on an authorised route.

These rules are in place to keep the UK free from rabies and certain other diseases. The current regulations have been in force since 1 January 2012 when the UK brought its procedures into line with the European Union.

Pet Travel Scheme (PETS)

In order for pet dogs, cats and ferrets from any country to enter the UK without quarantine, they must comply with the requirements of the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS). These rules differ depending on the country or territory the pet is coming from.

The scheme also means that people in the UK can take their dogs, cats and ferrets to any country and bring them back to the UK without the need for the animals to enter quarantine. 

The rules do not permit pet owners to bring pets into the UK from a private boat or plane or with any transport company that has not successfully negotiated an agreement with DEFRA called a Required Method of Operation (RMOP).  Pet owners are only able to use the routes and transport companies detailed at http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/pets/routes/ to bring their pets into the UK under the PETS, subject to the transport company’s agreement.

British Isles

The UK does however allow travel between the UK and Northern Ireland, the UK and the Isle of Man and the UK and the Channel Islands. The UK does not currently require documentation for these movements although you may wish to travel with your pet’s passport, if available.

As it is prohibited to bring a pet into the UK on a private boat from another country, PETS advises that you keep a ship’s log, noting which ports you have entered in order to avoid problems with port officials on re-entry to the UK.

In the event of problems at sea which, for example, resulted in the vessel making an emergency stop in a port outside the British Isles for repairs, your cat, dog or ferret would require 6 months quarantine on re-entry to the UK. It is therefore recommended that your cat/dog is prepared under the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) to avoid such risks.

Republic of Ireland

Although free movement previously existed for animals travelling between the UK and the Republic of Ireland, the Republic of Ireland has implemented EU regulations harmonising travel for dogs, cats and ferrets throughout the EU.

This means that dogs, cats and ferrets entering Ireland from any EU State including the UK need to be prepared in the following order:

• Microchipped
• Rabies vaccinated after microchipping and at least 21 days before travel
• Have a valid EU pet passport
• In the case of dogs they need to be treated by a vet for tapeworms between 24-120 hours before arrival, this is not needed for travel between the UK and Ireland.

The skipper should give advance notice to the port of the arrival of the animal.

At present, UK domestic legislation does not require pet owners to use approved routes or carriers when bringing pets to the UK from the Republic of Ireland.

Further information

Please contact the Pet Travel Scheme:

Pets Helpline Tel: 0870 241 1710
Website: http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/pets/index.htm
Or email: Pettravel@ahvla.gsi.gov.uk