Taking A Pet Abroad - The Pet Travel Scheme - PETS

The main La France page is here.

To get free weekly La France updates to your mailbox click here.

Taking A Pet Abroad - The Pet Travel Scheme - PETS

The Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) is the system that allows pet animals from certain countries to enter the UK without quarantine as long as they meet the rules. It also means that people in the UK can take their pets to other European Union (EU) countries, and return with them to the UK. They can also, having taken their pets to certain non-EC countries, bring them back to the UK without the need for quarantine.

The links will take you direct to the relevant information on the DEFRA website

pet cats and dogs (including assistance dogs)
pet rabbits and rodents
other pets

The scheme only applies to pets coming into the UK from certain countries and territories.

Dogs, cats and ferrets must not have been outside any of these countries in the 6 calendar months before entering the UK.

Dogs, cats and ferrets entering the UK under PETS may only do so on certain sea, air and rail routes.

Dogs, cats and ferrets entering the UK from non-qualifying (unlisted) countries must spend 6 months in quarantine on arrival.

It is against the law in Great Britain to possess certain types of animals and meeting the requirements of PETS will not change that.

PETS was introduced for dogs and cats travelling from certain European countries on 28 February 2000. The Scheme was extended to Cyprus, Malta and certain long haul countries and territories on 31 January 2001. Bahrain joined on 1 May 2002. Mainland USA and Canada joined on 11 December 2002. Get the fact sheets here.

Please refer to our disclaimer.