How To Get an EU Pet Passport

When travelling abroad, it used to be the case that you would have to leave your pets in the care of a family friend or pay over the odds to have them cared for by professionals, these days though if you are travelling to or from the UK it is a little easier for pet owners, because you can now get a passport for your pets allowing them to travel with you no matter where you want to go.

Obtaining a passport for your pet takes up to eight months though and there are some strict rules and regulations that must be met before a passport will be issued, it doesn't exactly come cheap either at over £300.00 it can leave a large dent in your finances.

A pet passport is sufficient travel to many destinations in the world but some countries require further permits or certificates to be obtained. It is your responsibility to be aware of any additional conditions that may apply.

Your passport will remain valid as long as you have your rabies booster on time. Observe this date carefully as no delay is permitted. If your pet's vaccine lapses, even by a day your pet will have to undergo the entire process from the start. Under these circumstances the 6 month rule will be reapplied. Boosters are the responsibility of the pet owner. The rabies vaccination date is clearly marked on your pet passport.

The process of obtaining a pet passport has to be done step by step, planning ahead is essential, Start the ball rolling at least nine months in advance in case there are any delays in the process.

Be aware that throughout the process of obtaining a pet passport all dealings with your pet should be undertaken by a Local Veterinary Inspector, you will find one in your local telephone directory.

Step 1

The first step to getting your pet passport is to get your pet fitted with a Microchip, the Microchip has a unique number that will also be on your pet's passport when it eventually comes through, this identifies your pet to the authorities when entering or leaving the country.

Step 2

Your pet needs to be vaccinated against Rabies this is usually a course of two injections one on the same day as the microchip is fitted and another two weeks later.

Step 3

A blood test is taken thirty days after the second vaccination, to ensure that the vaccinations have been successful, and if the results are ok then your pet can be issued with a passport, although it can take a few weeks to get the results back from the Government laboratory.

Step 4

When the results finally come through from the laboratory, the L.V.I can issue you with your pet's passport, This involves one final check to certify your pet is free from rabies.

The Six Month Rule: Although your pet's passport will be valid for travel into many countries twentyone days after issue, your pet cannot come back into Britain for six months from the date when the blood sample was drawn. Therefore the total time it takes to get a full passport valid for re-entry into Britain is almost eight months.

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