From January 1, the UK will become a Part 2 listed third country under the EU Pet Travel Scheme. This means owners will have to ensure they have an animal health certificate (AHC) instead of a pet passport, 10 days before making the journey.
The animal will also have to be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before the journey. Pets must be at least 12 weeks old before they can be vaccinated.
Dogs must be treated against tapeworm if they are travelling to Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway or Malta. Pets and assistance dogs will also need to enter the EU through a travellers’ point of entry, which includes all the major French ports such as Calais, Caen and Dunkirk. In order to obtain an AHC, owners will need proof of their pet’s microchipping date and vaccination history. They will need a new AHC for each trip to the EU or Northern Ireland.
INTERESTING FACT ABOUT YOUR PET: Scientists believe that the world’s first known dog lived 31,700 years ago. This prehistoric dog resembled a large Siberian Husky.
Each certificate will be valid for entry into the EU or Northern Ireland for 10 days, and will allow onward travel within those areas for four months after its issue.
There will be no change to the current health preparations or documents for pets entering Great Britain from the EU or Northern Ireland.
Missing girl, 8, found safe after 16-hour manhunt as two people arrested UK chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss said: ‘Your vet will be able to advise what you need to do in order to obtain the correct documentation to travel and you can find the latest pet travel advice on gov.uk or by searching “pet travel”.’The government is currently trying to convince the European commission to secure Part 1 listed status for the UK, arguing that the nation meets all the requirements for it. If Britain was a Part 1 listed country, it would operate under the same pet travelling rules as EU member states and reusable UK pet passports could remain in use.
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