Relief for pet owners travelling to the UK from UAE

Pet travel rules changed on 1 January, 2012 when the United Kingdom (UK) brought its procedures into line with the European Union (EU). From this date all pets can enter or re-enter the UK from any country in the world without quarantine, provided they meet the rules of the scheme, which will be different depending on the country or territory the pet is coming from.

This article explains what you and your vet have to do to bring your pet dog, cat or ferret into the UK from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is classified under Non-European Union listed countries and territories. The following contains only a summary of the rules, so please visit the defra website for comprehensive details of the rules for pet travel into the UK.

From 1 January, 2012 all pet dogs, cats and ferrets (including guide and hearing dogs) can enter or re-enter the UK from the UAE without quarantine provided they meet the rules of the scheme. Animals which do not meet all the rules must be licensed into quarantine until they are compliant. They might then be able to obtain early release if they can be shown to comply with the necessary pet travel requirements.

What you need to do if you are entering the UK from the UAE

Preparing your dog, cat or ferret:

• Step 1 – Have your pet microchipped – Before any of the other procedures for pet travel are carried out, your pet must be fitted with a microchip so it can be properly identified
• Step 2 – Have your pet vaccinated – After the microchip has been fitted your pet must be vaccinated against rabies. There is no exemption to this requirement, even if your pet has a current rabies vaccination. Rabies boosters must be kept up to date. The length of the waiting period before entry to the UK is 21 days after the first vaccination date. A waiting period is not required for subsequent entries into the UK, provided rabies boosters are kept up to date. If the vaccination is in two parts the 21 day wait will be from the date of the second vaccination
• Step 3 – Get pet travel documentation – For animals being prepared in an EU country, you should get an EU pet passport. If you are preparing your animal in a non-EU listed country or territory you will need to obtain an official third country veterinary certificate (apart from Croatia, Gibraltar, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland who also issue pet passports)
• Step 4 – Tapeworm treatment – (dogs only): before entering the UK, all pet dogs (including assistance dogs) must be treated for tapeworm. The treatment must be administered by a vet not less than 24 hours and not more than 120 hours (1-5 days) before its scheduled arrival time in the UK. There is no mandatory requirement for tick treatment. No treatment is required for dogs entering the UK from Finland, Ireland or Malta)
• Step 5 – Arrange for your animal to travel with an approved transport company on an authorised route – Your pet must enter the UK from a listed country or territory travelling with an approved transport company on an authorised route

What you need to do if you are entering the UK from a country other than the UAE

The rules differ depending on which country or territory the pet is travelling into the UK from:

• European Union (EU) countries and territories
• Non-European Union listed countries and territories – Such as the UAE
• Unlisted countries – Any country not listed in the lists above

For comprehensive details of the rules for pet travel into the UK please contact defra:
Website: www.defra.gov.uk/pets
Email: pettravel@ahvla.gsi.gov.uk
Helpline: +44 (0)870 241 1710

If you would like to book your pet’s specific relocation with Move One, or for further information about our general pet transportation services, please contact us at pet@moveoneinc.com. One of our dedicated animal relocation agents will follow up with you shortly with a quote tailor-made to your needs.

Reference:
defra