Maisons Cordiales
(French Home Owners Association)
INFORMATION SHEET NUMBER 20
Pets Travel Scheme (PETS)
Thanks to Stephen & Mary Armitage & Alison Riideout for the following information.
This scheme was introduced on the 28th February 2000. Updates are made from time to time.
I in doubt on any points or needing an update contact:- Pets Helpline 0870 241 1710 (08.30 to 1700
hrs Monday to Friday) or the local Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food (MAFF) or email
pets@ahvg.maff.gsi.gov.uk or Fax 020 7904 6834.
Obtaining a Passport for your pet.
1.
Microchipping – this involves injecting an electronic device, about the size of a grain of rice,
under the skin, which can be read by a hand held scanner. This must meet the ISO specifications.
2.
Vaccination against Rabies. It is advisable to have 2 in case the first does not take thus
extending the time for you to take your pet with you.
The pet must be at least 3 months old.
3.
1 month (30 days) after vaccination the pet must have a Blood Test. This is sent to the
MAFF for analysis to ensure that the antibodies are present About 2 to 4 weeks for the result.
4.
If successful then a Pets 1 passport is issued. The VET must be a Local Veterinary Inspector
(l.V.I). If unsuccessful then a further Rabies test is required.
5.
The Passport identifies the pet by its microchip number and the expiry date of the Rabies
vaccine. This can be renewed after this date when the pet has been given a booster jab, no
further blood test will be required.
Information Sheet No.20 – page 2 of 3
Your pet can now leave the U.K.. Return to the U.K. is not allowed until 6 months have
elapsed since a positive blood test was done.
Charges are made for 1, 2, & 3. These increase each year.
Before you can travel
You must inform MAFF of your proposed visit, including details of the countries you are to visit.
When the forms are completed and returned to MAFF they send them to your LVI vet.
Your pet must have a health check 48 hours before embarkation by an LVI vet.
A Health Certificate will be issued – another charge
Before you can return to the U.K.
24 to 48 hours before your embarkation from France you must have the pet treated for
1.
Fox Tapeworm, treatment must contain Praziquantel. You must obtain an officially
approved certificate completed by the vet. Since this is to be carried out near to the place of
embarkation it is as well to have the names, addresses and opening times of the vets in these areas. If it
is carried earlier and you are delayed then you will have to search locally on arrival.
The effect of this tapeworm treatment may give your pet the “runs” so be warned
and allow time for it to recover.
2.
Sprayed for Ticks. A charge for the Certificate of Tick & Tapeworm.
Information Sheet No.20 –page 3 of 3
It is a good idea to carry a couple of the appropriate
certificates with you in case the vet you choose does not have one. These can be downloaded from
the internet – French Ministry of Agriculture site.
Embarkation from France
Report with the documentation:Pets 1 Passport: Pets 2 Certificate of Tick & Tapeworm Treatment: Pets 3 Re-entry Form issued
by MAFF – collected from your Vet at the same time as you collected the Health Check before
leaving the U.K.
Documents will be checked and the pet scanned to check the micro chip number.
Carry photocopies of the pets 1 passport; results of the blood test received from MAFF;
Tick and Tapeworm form together with photo copies of your own passports.
Pets 1 needs renewing annually, as does the rabies booster – as stated earlier rules are
changing all the time so check this out with MAFF.
A “Pets 5” is available for travel to France enabling you to make multiple journeys without
your pet having to have a health check each time. Check this with MAFF.
At the port all pets must be exercised in the designated areas.
The pet travels in your car. You can obtain access to the car deck, accompanied by a crew
member. A charge is made for the pet by the Ferry Companies and the Shuttle.
Information Sheet No.20 –page 3 of 3
It is a good idea to carry a couple of the appropriate
certificates with you in case the vet you choose does not have one. These can be downloaded from
the internet – French Ministry of Agriculture site.
Embarkation from France
Report with the documentation:Pets 1 Passport: Pets 2 Certificate of Tick & Tapeworm Treatment: Pets 3 Re-entry Form issued
by MAFF – collected from your Vet at the same time as you collected the Health Check before
leaving the U.K.
Documents will be checked and the pet scanned to check the micro chip number.
Carry photocopies of the pets 1 passport; results of the blood test received from MAFF;
Tick and Tapeworm form together with photo copies of your own passports.
Pets 1 needs renewing annually, as does the rabies booster – as stated earlier rules are
changing all the time so check this out with MAFF.
A “Pets 5” is available for travel to France enabling you to make multiple journeys without
your pet having to have a health check each time. Check this with MAFF.
At the port all pets must be exercised in the designated areas.
The pet travels in your car. You can obtain access to the car deck, accompanied by a crew
member. A charge is made for the pet by the Ferry Companies and the Shuttle.