Pet Passports

Do you want to take your pet abroad?

Since July 2004, it has never been simpler to take your pet abroad with the introduction of the new style European Pet Passports. You can now take your cat, dog or ferret almost anywhere in the European Union with just a simple microchip and rabies vaccination. However, to return to the UK and avoid quarantine, life is a little more complicated but here at Pennine Vets we will guide you all the way through the process.

How do I get a Pet Passport

Your pet will first need a microchip implanted. This acts as a unique identification for your pet and is the most important step in getting a passport. If your pet already has a microchip, this can be used, otherwise it is a very simple step to insert a microchip. For more information, see our page on microchips.

The second step is for your pet to get a rabies vaccination. This is one single injection, identical to the routine vaccinations and should not affect your pet in any way. The vaccination only needs to be repeated every 3 years. 30 days after the vaccination has been given, your Pet Passport becomes valid and you can now take your pet into Europe (but not back to the UK yet).

Between two and four weeks later, a blood sample must be taken to test that the vaccination has been successful. This is the most important date as you must wait 6 months after this blood sample is taken before you can bring your pet back into the UK. The results take between 7 & 14 days to come back after which we can fully complete the passport. As long as your pet gets a booster vaccination within 3 years, you do not need to repeat the blood sample again.

To complicate things slightly, certain countries such as Spain, do not fully comply with European law and currently require a rabies vaccination every year. However, this can be done 30 days before travel to Spain and will extend the period that your Pet Passport is valid for. We suggest that you contact us at the surgery with your travel plans in plenty of time so we can check the current regulations.

You can now travel easily throughout most of Europe with your pet. One final rule is that between 24 & 48 hours before you return to the UK, your pet must be treated against ticks and tapeworms. Any vet in France or other European country should be able to do this.

If you are still interested in taking your pet abroad, simply call into the surgery and we will help you plan your pet's travel but please allow us at least 7 months to make all the preparations.