What travel schemes are in place for taking pets abroad and then returning to the UK

Asks meredew

A. The UK relaxed its strict quarantine laws in 2000 when the government introduced the Pets Travel Scheme (PETS) - which allows cats and dogs to leave and enter the country under certain guidelines without having to go into quarantine. The PETS system began on 28 February 2000 for certain European countries, and was extended to cover Malta, Cyprus and some long haul destinations on 31 January 2001.

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Q. What other animals can travel under the PETS scheme

A. Only cats and dogs can travel - no other pets or animals are covered under the scheme, other animals will have to enter quarantine.

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Q. Which countries in Europe can I take my pet to

A. Under the PETS scheme you can take your pet (and return to the UK) to the following destinations:

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Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway (excluding Svalbard), Portugal (includes the Azores and Madeira) San Marino, Spain (includes the Canary Islands, excludes Ceuta and Melilla), Sweden, Switzerland, and the Vatican.

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Certain quarantine laws apply to animals travelling back to the UK from Cyprus and Malta e.g. animals have to be sealed in an approved container by a travel official. You can find out more about these additional regulations at www.defra.gov.uk.

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Q. Can any type of dog enter the UK from an approved European country

A. Some dogs are classified as dangerous dogs and are banned from entering the UK - these include pit bull terriers, Japanese tosas, Dogo Argentinos and Fila Brazilieros.

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If you try to bring any of these dogs into the UK it is likely that the dog will be seized (and in some cases destroyed) and the owner arrested and fined. If, however, you have one of these dogs, usually a pit bull terrier, and it is exempt from the Dangerous Dog Act and you have a certificate to prove it you will have to take this with you when travelling as well as your approved PETS documentation. The dog will also have to have been neutered, micro-chipped and tattooed before travel.

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Also note that if you have a dangerous dog as a pet it may not be allowed entry into another country, so it is best to check with the appropriate embassy before travelling and ensure that you carry any additional documentation that they require.

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Q. Will I have to travel by sea to Europe if I am taking my pet abroad, or can I fly with a dog

A. You are not restricted to a sea crossing - you can travel by rail, sea or air depending on your destination and whether the route is an approved one. Most pets, apart from guide dogs, will have to travel as cargo on most aeroplanes and cannot accompany you in the cabin - and if you're travelling by sea you usually have to take a vehicle e.g. on a ferry and your pet has to remain inside the vehicle for the duration of the journey (with the exception of some hovercrafts that allow foot passengers with pets). Pets travelling on a private plane or boat are not allowed to enter the UK.

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You can find out comprehensive details on all approved routes on the government's website www.defra.gov.uk - but as you have asked for specific details on flying within Europe with your dog, the following destinations and airlines have been approved to carry pets:

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Air Malta: Valletta, Malta to Heathrow

Austrian Airlines: Vienna to Heathrow

British Airways: Barcelona to Gatwick

British Midland: Amsterdam to Heathrow, Brussels to Heathrow, Milan to Heathrow, Madrid to Heathrow, Palma de Mallorca to Heathrow, Paris to Heathrow (guide dogs only), Stuttgart to Heathrow

Cyprus Airways: Larnaca and Paphos, Cyprus to Heathrow

Finnair: Helsinki to Heathrow

GB Airways: Alicante to Gatwick, Faro (Portugal) to Heathrow, Gibraltar to Heathrow, Lisbon to Gatwick, Las Palmas to Gatwick, Malaga to Heathrow, Montpellier to Gatwick, Palma de Mallorca to Gatwick, Porto to Gatwick, Tenerife to Gatwick

Jet Aviation: Avignon, Le Bourget and Nice to Heathrow, Zurich to Heathrow

Lufthansa: Frankfurt to Heathrow, Hamburg to Heathrow

TAG Aviation: Geneva to Heathrow, Nice and Paris to Heathrow, Rome to Heathrow, Milan to Heathrow, Zurich to Heathrow.

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Q. What preparations will I have to undertake for my pet to be fit to travel

A. There are quite a lot of procedures that you will have to follow before your pet will be fit to travel - so it might be worth investigating kennels and catteries in your local area before you embark on your travel preparations - but if you are keen to take your pet with you will have to follow these guidelines:

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(i) have your pet micro-chipped - so that it can be identified

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(ii) have your pet vaccinated against rabies

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(iii) have a blood test to ensure that the rabies vaccination has worked and obtain the appropriate certificate to prove this (your pet cannot enter the UK until 6 months after the blood sample was taken)

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(iv) once the above has been completed you have to obtain a PETS certificate from a government-authorised vet

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(v) before your return trip to the UK all pets have to be checked for ticks and tapeworm by a local vet between 24-48 hours before it is checked in to travel back to the UK - and a certificate has to be obtained from the local vet to prove it

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(vi) You will have to sign a declaration before entering the UK that states that your pet has not travelled outside any of the approved areas.

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Further information on taking your pets abroad and returning to the UK can be obtained from:

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The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) online at www.defra.gov.uk or in writing from DEFRA, Animal Health Division, 1a Page Street, London SW1 4PQ.

Telephone: 020 7 904 6577

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Additional information is also available from Pets Will Travel online at www.petswilltravel.co.uk/pwt/.

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If you have any other Travel related questions, please click here

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By Karen Anderson