Does our Dog have to Remain in Germany for 6 Months?

By: Hsin-Yi Cohen BSc, MA, MSt - Updated: 11 Mar 2013 | *Discuss

 

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Q.We are currently living in Germany and had our dogs rabies jab done a couple of days late, therefore had to have a blood test for her. This is her 2nd vacination as she had one before leaving the UK. The results have come back fine but do we still have to keep her over here for 6 months?

A.

The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) was developed to enable pet dogs and cats from certain qualifying countries to enter the UK without the need for quarantine, provided that they meet the specific rules of the scheme. Due to the “6 month rule” where pets may not enter until 6 months after a satisfactory blood test, as well as the fact that giving the vaccinations and waiting for blood test results may take up a few months – it is advisable to start your preparations about a year in advance, if you are planning to move to the UK with your pet.

The requirements of PETS are:

1)Have your pet microchipped and identified

2)Have your pet vaccinated for rabies. (There is no exemption to this requirement, even if your pet has a current rabies vaccination)

3)Arrange for a blood test to prove that the vaccine has given your pet a satisfactory level of protection against rabies. Your veterinarian can then issue the PETS documentation. HOWEVER this documentation is not valid until another 6 months have elapsed after the satisfactory blood test result.

WAIT 6 MONTHS

4)Transport your pet to the UK. If you are planning to travel on to another EU country from the UK, your pet will need to wait a further 21 days after entry into the UK.

IN ADDITION:

5)Your pet must be treated for ticks and tapeworms by an authorised veterinarian no less than 24 hours and no more than 48 hours before it is checked-in with an approved pet transport company.

6) You pet MUST travel with an approved pet transport company on an authorised route.

For travel between UK and the EU countries, the European Regulation 998/2003 took effect on 3 July 2004. It sets out the rules for pet animals travelling between European Union (EU) countries and into the EU from other countries.

To enter the UK from Germany without quarantine dogs (including assistance animals) and cats must, in this order, be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies, successfully blood tested and issued with an EU pet passport. Animals may not enter the UK for 6 calendar months from the date that the blood sample is taken that gives a satisfactory test result.

In this situation, it is said that the dog has had two rabies vaccines (the second is presumably a booster) but it is unclear if there were one or two blood tests done. If the blood test mentioned was the first, then unfortunately, the dog will have to wait a further 6 months from the date of the satisfactory test, before it is allowed to enter the UK. It does not matter if it has previously been vaccinated the year before – the 6 months rule starts from the date of the satisfactory test result. If, however, the dog had a previous test (which was satisfactory) and it is still within a year of that first test result, then they should be able to enter without the need for the additional 6 month’s wait.

For more information visit: http://ukingermany.fco.gov.uk/en/about-uk/pet-travel-scheme

Or to ask detailed questions about the Pets Travel Scheme, contact:

DEFRA PETS Helpline:

Tel: +44 (0)870 241 1710 (Mon to Fri 9:30am to 6pm, German Time)

Fax: +44 (0)20 7904 6206

Email: pets.helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk (please include your address and phone number in the email)

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