'P'is for Pet Passport

If you are thinking of taking your dog abroad this year you need to act now!

It takes at least 6 months to get everything in order.

The following things have to be done :

- Get your dog microchipped. Before anything else can be done, your dog must be fitted with a microchip so that it can be correctly identified.

- You must have your dog vaccinated. Once the microchip is implanted your dog must be vaccinated against rabies. There are no exceptions to this requirement, even if you dog has a current rabies vaccination.

- A blood test has to be carried out. After vaccination , your dog must be blood tested to make sure that the vaccine has given it a sufficient level of protection against rabies.

- Get PETS documentation.

If you already have a pet passport, make sure that the required paperwork is in order and that the microchip can still be read.

Before you come back to the UK you must make sure that :

- your dog is treated against ticks and tapeworms not less than 24 hours and not more than 48 hours before it is checked in with an approved transport company for its journey into the UK.

- Arrange for your dog to travel with an approved transport company via an authorised route.
Your dog must enter the UK from a listed country.

Failure to comply with regulations will mean your dog will have to go into quarantine on return to the UK.

Attempting to smuggle your dog in is illegal.

There are no requirements for travel to and from the Irish Republic.

What I have written is just a brief guide, so please talk to your vet as soon as possible and consult the DEFRA website for the latest information. Rules do change!