P.E.T.S
in the UK
Until recently, a move to the UK meant a highly stressful
six months enforced separation while your pet is in quarantine,
or the prospect of re-homing a much loved companion. That
situation changed in 2000 and as of the time of writing,
provided you have the correct documentation and your pet
has the right shots and microchip, you can bring a pet in
from the following countries without having to quarantine
it:
Andorra, Austria,
Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar,
Greece, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta,
Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland and the Vatican.
Pets may also be
imported to the UK from the following Long Haul destinations:
Antigua & Barbuda, Ascension Island, Australia, Barbados,
Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Fiji, French
Polynesia, Guadeloupe, Hawaii, Jamaica, Japan, La Reunion,
Martinique, Mauritius, Mayotte, Monserrat, New Caledonia,
New Zealand, St Helena, St Kitts & Nevis, St Vincent,
Singapore, Vanuatu, Wallis and Fortuna.
For detailed
information on the P.E.T.S scheme, and general UK Quarantine
rules, see Bringing
Pets to Britain - the official government website dealing
with quarantine.
Pets
And Other Relocation Destinations
Bear in mind that there are restrictions on the transportation
of pets by air during the summer so it's a good idea to
check with the Embassy in your home country and plan your
arrival dates accordingly.
Most other foreign
governments also have some form of quarantine or health
requirements for arriving pets, so it is essential to ascertain
exactly what those regulations are for your destination.
At the time of writing, Bahrain and Singapore, for example,
impose a 30-day quarantine for cats and dogs, while Japan
requires a 14-day quarantine for dogs only. Australia requires
dogs and cats entering from most overseas countries to spend
a period of time in quarantine and to have undergone health
tests before being admitted.
A year or so ago
Korea abolished quarantine for cats and dogs and other countries
are considering changes to their current regulations for
pets. Some countries also restrict the entry of certain
breeds, such as Pit Bulls and other 'fighting dog' breeds.
The only way to keep abreast of regulations for individual
countries is to contact the appropriate embassy, governmental
agency, or consulate. This should be done at least 8 weeks
in advance of any proposed international move.
No airline will guarantee acceptance of an animal it has
not seen. You will need to discuss with the airline the
type of pet you have, its size, the type and size of its
carrier, weight, temperament, and health - proper health
certificates will be required. Airlines have rules about
the type and size of travelling kennels and will tell you
what is allowed and what carriers are approved. They will
also advise you about feeding and water bowls etc.
Your Vet must be
consulted well before departure. He or she will give your
pet a full check up and advise you on any potential problems.
Animals must also have the required shots no more than 10
days prior to departure. If your pet is particularly neurotic,
then tranquillising might be necessary, but only on the
advice and under the instructions of your Vet. It's tempting
to think of one's pet completing the entire journey in state
of happy oblivion, but the reality is that tranquillised
animals are more likely to experience breathing problems.
Both airlines and vets prefer to avoid the use of tranquillisers
whenever possible.
Preparing
Your Pet
It is essential to familiarize your pet with its travelling
kennel well before the actual journey; otherwise you are
subjecting it to a far more stressful experience than necessary.
Leave it open somewhere around the house, preferably with
a familiar blanket or toy inside it so that the animal becomes
accustomed to the carrier. If the animal is still showing
signs of concern, a good tip is to place a piece of clothing
belonging to whichever family member the animal is closest
to inside the carrier. This will usually calm the animal
down and help to overcome any separation anxiety. This is
a trick my mother used successfully for years with her miniature
dachshunds and I have used if with my own animals, so I
know it works.
Cargo
Hold Or Cabin
Airlines generally transport animals in the cargo compartment
of a plane and advise the flight crew that animals are onboard
the aircraft. However some airlines allow passengers to
carry their pets in the cabin of a plane if the animals
are capable of fitting under the passengers' seat. But to
do this requires a very small container and you cannot remove
the animal from this during the flight. Also, spare a thought
for your fellow passengers. If, you own a particularly vocal
animal that has no hesitation in expressing its displeasure
loudly and often, it's probably better for everyone's peace
of mind to have it transported in the designated cargo area!
For the specific requirements pertaining to your animal,
ask the airline you are using when you make your reservations
and then reconfirm 24 to 48 hours prior to the flight.
Checking
In...
You will need to allow about 2 hours more for check in than
usual when transporting an animal by air. It goes without
saying that pets should travel on direct flights whenever
possible - and preferably on the same one as their owners.
Always take the temperatures into consideration. Your pet
is going to be more comfortable if travelling during early
mornings or late evenings in hot climates - extreme temperatures
add to the stress level for animals. Those breeds with long
noses and pug like noses are more likely to experience breathing
problems than other dogs. Cats are also somewhat susceptible
to breathing problems during flights.
As soon as you
get on the plane, ask a flight attendant to obtain confirmation
that your pet is on board. That way, if there's been any
mix-up and it has not been loaded, you have a better chance
of getting something done about it.
It's
Worth All The Effort.
Relocating the family pet is similar to planning a military
campaign in that it requires meticulous timing, careful
planning, obsessive attention to detail and a gift for logistics!
It is essential to properly research quarantine and documentation
requirements. You must also allow for the likely expenses
involved - and these can mount up. But set against all this,
most of us regard our pets as members of the family - who
just happen to have four legs -so, bringing a much-loved
pet along on an international assignment helps to maintain
a sense of stability for a family in an unfamiliar environment.
